Little Whale

by Jo Weaver

Overview

Come along with a mother whale and her calf as they follow the path of a gray whale migration. From Jo Weaver, award-winning author-illustrator of Little One.

Together, Little Whale and Gray Whale swim under midnight skies and through coral reefs teeming with life as they migrate to the cool, rich waters of the north to feed. Gray Whale gently guides her baby along the way, keeping Little Whale safe from passing ships and dangerous predators. And at long last, the echo of a whale song calls to them through icy water, and they know...they are home.

With gentle text and stunning charcoal illustrations, award-winning author-illustrator Jo Weaver reveals the wonder of nature, the excitement of discovery, the pull of home, and the strength of parental love. Ideal for story time or bedtime, the book is also a wonderful complement to elementary studies on animals and oceans.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781682630495
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	10/02/2018
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	10.80(w) x 10.30(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Jo Weaver worked in international development and as a support worker at a center for the homeless before turning to illustration. She has an MA in children's book illustration from the Cambridge School of Art. She lives in England.

Editorial Reviews

"Weaver's lyrical text is accompanied by stunning charcoal illustrations, which beautifully capture this habitat, both above and below the water line." —Booklist

"A soothing and appealing read-aloud, this lovely look under the sea may spark scientific curiosity in listeners." —Kirkus Reviews

"In broad, charcoal-rendered illustrations, Weaver presents the whales' beautiful—sometimes perilous—journey."—Publishers Weekly

"Dreamy" —Foreword Reviews

"The simple, comforting text and the graceful illustrations keep perfect time, lending a quiet satisfaction to a story perfect for bed/laptime. Inviting to the eye and gently informative, this is a soft introduction to gray whales and animal migrations." —School Library Journal

From the Publisher

2018-08-14

A gray whale and her calf migrate from south to north in this British import.

As in Weaver's debut, Little One (2016), luminous charcoal illustrations reveal and enhance a loving relationship between an animal mother and (non-gender-specific) child. Double-page spreads in varying shades of blue show the mother and calf swimming past coral reefs, over waving fronds of seaweed, through schools of fish, under a starry sky, and on and on through the vast sea on their journey home. The monochromatic pages sparkle with sunlight, evoke the watery sway of plant life, and capture the vastness of the open ocean as appropriate. A pod of orcas provides a frisson of danger, the calf's exhaustion a modicum of suspense, but overall the mood is serene. Imagined exchanges between Gray Whale and Little Whale will sound comfortingly familiar to both young listeners and adult readers. When the child/calf asks, "Are we nearly there?" the mother responds, "Not yet," and offers encouragement to continue swimming. While the dialogue obviously anthropomorphizes the characters somewhat, the pictures provide a generally realistic view of the animals and their habitat. The straightforward text, which tracks their progress and describes the natural world through which they travel, likewise emphasizes the fact-based nature of the tale.

A soothing and appealing read-aloud, this lovely look under the sea may spark scientific curiosity in listeners. (author's note) (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews