The Heart of a Whale

October 15, 2019
The flora and fauna of the ocean respond to a lonely whale's beautiful music by helping him find another whale. "Whale's song was so beautiful it could reach the farthest of faraways." Over a double-page spread, a simply drawn white whale--detailed with a large eye, a small mouth and fins, and a small lavender heart--swims past a variety of pastel-hued sea denizens. The lyrical text is set in type that emulates hand-lettering. Watercolors are the appropriate choice for a tale that occurs in a sea full of creatures--with an occasional glimpse of land and sky as well as a cheerfully colored sailboat and lighthouse. Collage, pencil sketching, and washes produce a dreamlike effect that also feels sweetly humorous. A double-page spread of sea horses lounging atop spirited jellyfish is especially whimsical. Musical terms are cleverly used to describe the singing whale's positive effects on others ("a cheerful symphony for a sad urchin"). After several pages of poetic lines about the talented singer, readers learn that his heart feels "empty." The ocean carries his sighing wish across miles of lovingly rendered sea habitats until the solo becomes a duet. Although the flap copy speaks of friendship, even the youngest of readers will sense that this is a whale of a romance. Beneath its warmth is a poignant reminder of the loss to all if whale songs become history. A sweet cetacean story. (Picture book. 3-5)

COPYRIGHT(2019) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Starred review from December 1, 2019

PreS-Gr 1-As Whale traverses the ocean, his song provides an uplifting background for all who hear it. From baby seahorses to urchins to flowers, Whale's song of hope and wonder permeates the vast expanses of the sea. Despite the joy he brings to others, however, Whale's heart remains empty. Releasing a baleful sigh into the void, another friend is summoned to be for the whale what that whale has been to everyone else. Everyone gets lonely sometimes, and it is especially hard to recognize an empty heart behind a facade of warmth. Told from the perspective of a solitary whale, this story emphasizes the importance of friendship and seeking support and kindness, particularly when life seems bleak. Lyrical, poetic language peppers richly beautiful watercolor illustrations throughout this deeply emotional story. Each illustration is expertly balanced not only with the text but also beside the adjacent pages in the book. Though no humans are mentioned in the story, palpable sensations emerge from every image, reminding readers of the many layers of feelings humans experience. VERDICT This visually stunning story is as beautiful to see as it is to read; young readers will especially appreciate its message of friendship and encouragement as they begin to investigate their own big feelings.-Mary Lanni, formerly at Denver Public Library

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2019
Preschool-G The story of a lonely whale is illustrated mainly in soft pastel watercolors. The large blue-and-white whale, with a visible heart near a flipper, swims slowly through the sea, singing his song of happiness and hope, magic and wonder, always and everywhere. Musical terms are used to describe the song: sonata, symphony, orchestra, lullaby. Seahorses, a sea urchin, an octopus, and turtles occupy his part of the ocean, but the whale still feels alone. As the sound of his voice travels throughout the sea, it is in turns calming or cheerful and is appreciated by other sea creatures as well as the ocean itself. The lonely whale wishes for a companion, and with the help of the ocean, that wish is broadcast far and wide. The mottled paintings are appealing and feature sea creatures and ocean plants. This is a quiet, gentle love story that will appeal to youngsters enthralled by whales and their ability to communicate.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)