Whale Port

November 1, 2007
Gr 4-8-The Fosters present the history of a fictitious whaling town, from its founding in 1683 to its revival as a modern-day coastal city. After describing the villagers' discovery of beached whales and their uses for the oil and baleen, the book traces the beginnings and growth of the whaling industry and its importance to the development of New England towns. Tuckanucket expanded and prospered through the years, overcoming setbacks including war and a devastating fire. When whaling ended in the early 1900s, much of the waterfront was abandoned, until residents took charge, revitalizing the area by creating a museum and offering whale-watching trips. The text reads smoothly and is packed with information. The fine pen-and-watercolor scenes are perfectly suited to the subject matter and successfully depict each era. Cutaway views show the insides of buildings and illustrate each structure's purpose. The roles of specialized workers are fully described, and detailed captions provide explanations of procedures such as constructing an oil cask, making rope, and processing a whale. The time-line format is appealing, and the narrative gives a real sense of the changes New England whaling ports have faced through the years and the diverse individuals who helped build them. This handsome title is an excellent choice for both curricular and recreational use."Lynne Mattern, Robert Seaman School, Jericho, NY"

Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2007
Reminiscent of Bonnie and Arthur Geisert's Small Town series, this details the evolution of a fictitious New England whale port from its founding in 1683 to present day. When whales drift ashore, early Tuckanucket settlers realize their success in the New World lies in the valuable trade of whale oil and baleen. Labeled panoramas of the developing town and cutaways of the buildings along its wharf contain engrossing detail. Diligent viewers are also rewarded with a continuing visual narrative: a colonial shipwreck on the coastline gradually decays and disappears, only to resurface in the final double-page spread as a modern archaeological dig. Framed within a narrative about the town's enterprising Taber family, the text relates the town's changing social and economic makeup and reemergence as a contemporary whale-watching destination. Secondary text provides facts about colonial life, the rendering of whale blubber, maritime trades, and the hardships of sea life. A fascinating testament to the ingenuity and perseverance of the country's North Atlantic communities.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)