The Whale in My Swimming Pool

April 27, 2015
Using an adorably chunky kawaii aesthetic that fans of her previous books will recognize, Wan (Sleepyheads) serves up a whale-size dilemma. A boy with dot eyes and a round head discovers that an enormous blue whale has taken up residence in (or rather on top of) his kiddie pool, making it look about the size of a teacup saucer. Wan's comedic sensibilities shine as the boy tries various methods to remove the whale, which maintains a state of unruffled serenity. The boy first counts to 10 ("...and when I'm done, you'd better be gone!"), then tries reasoning with it ("Wouldn't you rather swim with other whales?"). Bribing the whale doesn't work, nor does attempting to lift it out of the pool with a construction crane. All the while, the unmoving whale smiles pleasantly and spouts water out of its blowhole. A compromise lets everyone win, while a zinger ending suggests the boy's animal problems are only beginning. Wan's cuddly, candid world is the sort that readers will want to step into again and again. Ages 2â6. Agent: Teresa Kietlinski, Prospect Agency.

January 1, 2015
A little boy of pleasingly indeterminate ethnicity goes out to his little backyard inflatable pool to find a whale in it. It's a very large, round, blue whale, which is kind of squished on top of the pool. It is way, way too big for it. Mom is reading and does not see the whale. The boy tries persuasion, counting to 10, enticing the whale into a game of fetch, even offering his allowance, but the whale does not budge. He even offers his neighbor's much larger in-ground swimming pool (alert young readers will note the dorsal fin visible in the neighbor's clear blue waters). Finally, he puts his floatie on top of the whale's spout, just in time to hear Mom call naptime. That presents its own set of problems: not the toys and socks that are strewn about the bedroom floor, but the snoring occupant of his bed-a large bear with its own teddy. The front endpapers show the blue whale in various positions on the wading pool, the back endpapers show the bear tossing and turning and snoring, all the while clinging to that teddy. All the art is drawn in thick strong line and flat color, simple and accessible. The text comprises the boy's play-by-play narration of the events, including an endearingly believable whine to his oblivious mother. Both very silly and very appealing. (Picture book. 4-6)

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April 1, 2015

PreS-Gr 1-Wan's illustrations of rounded figures in bright colors demonstrate her professed inspiration from Japanese pop culture. A toddler in red swim trunks races outside to enjoy his blow-up pool, only to find an enormous blue whale in blissful residence. His mother's response to "Mooooooom, there's a whale in my swimming pool" is "Great honey. Don't forget about sunscreen," so the child attempts relocation via bribery, polite suggestion, and a game of fetch. He even employs a crane-which breaks. He finally decides to share the pool by climbing on the whale, and enjoys riding on its water spout. Unfortunately, when naptime arrives, the child discovers a snoring bear in his bed. Large, colorful illustrations set against ample space make this appropriate for group sharing. VERDICT Though this tale is a bit formulaic, some droll touches, such as the shark in the neighbor's pool, keep it fun.-Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

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