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aholeistodig's review against another edition
5.0
Awesome story on compassion and our messy connections with the natural world. The usual beautiful painting from Gerstein, lovely and cinematic visual storytelling to bolster the text--and the text is plain and compelling, a couple wonderful moments of very human internal struggle and doubt within our protagonist. Plus that one masterful, expansive, wordless spread with a still beat and a calm sea, a moment to think and wonder, so nicely pulled off here.
And okay, I know I'm a sap, so take this with a grain of salt--but I really should have read this to myself before I tried reading it with the kids. Did NOT anticipate it was going to be such a tearjerker for me. But don't worry, spoiler: the whale isn't dead. And hope isn't dead, and courage and compassion can still save the day, and kindness is the oh geez it's seriously going to set me off again, just read this book with your little ones and leave me alone, I'm not crying YOU'RE crying.
And okay, I know I'm a sap, so take this with a grain of salt--but I really should have read this to myself before I tried reading it with the kids. Did NOT anticipate it was going to be such a tearjerker for me. But don't worry, spoiler: the whale isn't dead. And hope isn't dead, and courage and compassion can still save the day, and kindness is the oh geez it's seriously going to set me off again, just read this book with your little ones and leave me alone, I'm not crying YOU'RE crying.
lattelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
Mordecai Gerstein does it again--he still manages to create evocative, provocative stories that tug at the heartstrings of its readers. The illustrations are semi-realistic, the narrative is filled with compassion, and the story as a whole is one of caring for others and caring for the earth, despite what the easy solution might be. Great for children in first through third grade. A must have for your library!
Review cross-listed here!
Review cross-listed here!
annalisenak97's review against another edition
5.0
The illustrations of the whale in this book communicated such an overwhelming sense of joy and it made me EMOTIONAL
mindfullibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
A beautiful story that has dual messages ~ one about a fishing family's way of life and the conflict that has with nature, and one about a boy going against his father's wishes to do what he knows in his heart is the right thing. This story has so many topics for use in discussion with children, and the artwork is vibrant and often dominates the page spreads.
Highly recommend for school libraries - I would use this in read alouds for grades 2 or 3 and up due to the darker subject matter, but in a one-on-one setting or with much time for discussion this is definitely appropriate down to kindergarten. Recommended for up through middle school classrooms as the potential discussions of moral issues are so plentiful.
Thank you to Roaring Brook and Macmillan for the advance review copy of this title.
Highly recommend for school libraries - I would use this in read alouds for grades 2 or 3 and up due to the darker subject matter, but in a one-on-one setting or with much time for discussion this is definitely appropriate down to kindergarten. Recommended for up through middle school classrooms as the potential discussions of moral issues are so plentiful.
Thank you to Roaring Brook and Macmillan for the advance review copy of this title.
earth_and_silver's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
lordofbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
readingthroughtheages's review against another edition
4.0
Great book to use for discussions. I think readers are going to want to talk about this one.
faeriedrumsong's review against another edition
4.0
I am a cryer. I cry to so many things. What can I say...I'm empathetic.
This book makes me tear up something awful. Great picture book to start a conversation about animals, conservation, bravery, and the connections of life on the planet.
This book makes me tear up something awful. Great picture book to start a conversation about animals, conservation, bravery, and the connections of life on the planet.
raoionna's review against another edition
3.0
A young boy saves a whale from near death. This has wonderful illustrations, particularly of the whale's face.
mandarchy's review against another edition
4.0
Definitely a book for starting a conversation. Young children have a hard time coming to terms with their parents being wrong - it's that dependent trust relationship that eventually ends with the knowledge that mom or dad might make a bad choice. The main character takes a huge risk, perseveres and succeeds in spite of his dad's wishes. How would you use this in a lesson? As a writing prompt about what is right and wrong? Bravery? I cannot imagine swimming around a whale!