(2) K-3 Illustrated by Chuck Groenink. The first half of this informational picture book is narrated by the collective “we” of generations of humpback whales: “Before there were ships and streets and buildings and a city called New York, we were here.” Subsequent pages depict whales and other sea creatures cavorting in what would soon become New York Harbor, with devastating harpooning and ship traffic and choking pollution to follow. The once-rich waters are no longer habitable, and the whales take off for “cleaner waters and a safer home.” In a (somewhat abrupt) turn, the art and text shift perspective, moving onto the land, and the narrative “we” becomes the voice of New York’s human inhabitants in the decades before and after passage of the Clean Water Act in 1972. Diverse groups of New ­Yorkers are shown marching in support of environmental action; later, people clear litter from the river and enjoy boating, fishing, and other activities—eventually rejoined by a new generation of New York Harbor whales. Detailed back matter includes whale facts, a timeline, brief profiles of significant activists, and calls to action. Castaldo’s text, accompanied by Groenink’s detailed and expansive gouache and graphite illustrations, offers hope for aspiring citizen activists and makes a compelling case for taking the long view and not giving up the fight.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2025

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Jason Chin. As a ninety-year-old blue whale dies, one story ends and another begins. Her body provides food for other creatures before it gradually descends to the depths of the ocean floor. But it doesn't stop there: her body will sustain life of one kind or another for the next few hundred years. Small marine animals, from fish to crabs to octopuses, pick the skeleton bare before another wave of animals moves in. Eventually, rich nutrients seep into the water, and that water is carried to the surface, where it nourishes krill, the major food source for blue whales. Brunelle's engaging voice strikes the right balance between narration and exposition, while the book design adroitly places her text judiciously across double-page spreads and into sidebar columns. Chin's (The Universe in You, rev. 1/23) always-exquisite watercolors thus dominate the layouts in a variety of double-page spreads, spot illustrations, and thumbnails -- even as supplemental maps, models, and cross-sections effortlessly convey complex visual information. Back matter includes more information about blue whales, marine ecosystems, and the four distinct phases of a whale fall. Recommended resources and a select bibliography are appended as well. Dedicated enthusiasts may also want to seek out Stewart and Dunlavey's Whale Fall (rev. 1/23).

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2024

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Deena So'oteh. Readers are immediately immersed in the life of a narwhal as the unseen narrator invites them into the narrative: "You are a narwhal -- / shy, / swift, / small (for a whale)." Thus begins a glimpse into the seasonal behaviors of these distinctive animals. It is winter, and the narwhal jousts with another male, swims in the leads (nicely defined in both text and illustrations), and dives deep for food. A striking and informative vertical gatefold depicts the near-mile-long fishing expedition, while the text explains that at those depths narwhals use echolocation to find food. As summer approaches, the narwhals migrate as a pod, following the same path they and their ancestors have used before. The shallow summer waters hold dangers such as hungry orcas, but this pod outsmarts them. As the days grow shorter, indicating it's time to leave, a blizzard temporarily traps the pod under the ice. As in similar books (most recently Polar Bear, rev. 11/22), Fleming does not overdramatize these challenges but presents them as a natural part of survival. So'Oteh's digital illustrations detail the majestic settings both on the surface and at great depths, while emphasizing the grace of these mammals. Particularly enlightening back matter expands on the text, offering, for example, more detail on jousting, narwhals' deep dives, and questions surrounding how they will adapt to climate change. Fleming provides a glimpse into the research process, ranging from adapting new advances in technology to partnerships with Indigenous peoples. A bibliography completes this fine book.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2024

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Crystal Smith. The unnamed narrator's grandfather has died, and her mother is taking her on a trip he had planned for them, to the ocean to see his beloved whales. The girl doesn't want to go, but she packs up her stuffed whale and draws whales in the condensation on the car window while the pair drives to the coast. They transfer to a kayak and paddle to the island, where they camp. Illustrations with watery backgrounds blur the line between sea and sky, showing mother and daughter in fog and rain, at twilight and dawn--in liminal moments that echo their grief. There is wonder here too. A stunning spread shows the kayak from below, glowing moon jellies surrounding the boat and the light of the sky filtering down deep. Night falls, and the girl is disappointed that they still haven't seen any whales, but they build a fire, boil noodles and toast marshmallows, and discover bioluminescence when they rinse their hands in the salt water. "Why are there more stars here? Is grandpa up there?" They're just getting ready to sleep when they hear the "pushhhhh" of humpbacks surfacing. They can't see them, but they can hear them, a metaphor for all we can't see that is still present in our lives. A tender testament to love and loss-..

Reviewer: Adrienne L. Pettinelli | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2023

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Rob Dunlavey. When a whale dies, its body sinks to the ocean floor, and the end of its life marks the beginning of an entire new ecosystem composed of bottom-dwelling species. Stewart's restrained text steps through each phase in decomposition, noting how the whale's tissue serves as food for waves of scavengers and, over the course of several decades, allows a thriving ecosystem to develop. The featured species have quite elaborate names: hagfish and sleeper sharks arrive first, followed by roughscale rattails, snubnose eelpouts, and grooved tanner crabs, and then such "mini-munchers" as amphipods, Oregon hair crabs, hooded shrimp, and sea pigs. When only bones remain, zombie worms, and finally bacteria, complete their dissolution. Other equally interestingly named species feast on the scavengers, forming the chains and webs of organism relationships. Dunlavey's striking waterscapes gently portray death and the new life that flourishes in its aftermath, with inset close-ups that highlight the anatomical details of the smallest of the ocean creatures. End notes provide facts and figures about the animals and a list of resources to learn more about ocean environments.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2023

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Alex Boersma. During its lifespan, a bowhead whale, "the longest living mammal in the world," experiences both physical growth and environmental change, creating the dual focus of this touching and informative narrative. Readers meet one particular (imagined) bowhead--a female that spends her entire life in the Arctic--throughout four distinct time segments: two hundred years ago, one hundred fifty years ago, fifty years ago, and the present. Each section opens with a soft-hued, double-page illustration depicting the same setting. In this place, the calf begins life in the peaceful ocean, surrounded by snow and ice and abundant wildlife. As the narrative progresses, several navigation ships appear, seemingly harmless, but precursors to nineteenth-century whalers with their deadly harpoons, and later oil rigs and submarines. In the present, the once-quiet Arctic is not only noisy, making whale song communication difficult, but also an area that now includes cruise and cargo ships, oil spills, plastic waste, and abandoned fishing nets. Dramatic watercolor and gouache illustrations, primarily in deep blue, black, and white, depict changes on land and sea: receding ice; fewer walruses and polar bears; factories and settlements replacing igloos. Extensive authors' notes provide scientific information on bowheads; brief descriptions of other Arctic animals depicted in the illustrations; and historical overviews of whaling, the Indigenous people of the region, and the search for the Northwest Passage; and acknowledge the limitations of anthropomorphizing the central subject.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2022

(3) 4-6 Science Comics series. Illustrated by Pat Lewis. When beaked whale Zip is tagged with an underwater microphone by "aliens" (i.e., human scientists), he decides to travel the ocean and interview different whale species. Brisk text is packed with facts about whale biology and behavior and climate change. Sly humor balances serious observations about ecological damage and the interconnected nature of life on Earth. Digital comic-panel illustrations employ simple line work with a mostly blue-green palette (shifting to eerie photo-negative colors for human encounters). Whale and "Human Impact" glossaries and suggestions for further reading are appended.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Lindsay Moore. The whale of the title could apply to either of two narrators. Vega, a late-adolescent orca whale, is just coming into her own as a wayfinder. The alternating voice is that of her younger and impulsive brother Deneb. Their family is part of the Southern Resident Killer Whale Community that lives in the Salish Sea, an area of stunning ecological richness and diversity in the Pacific Northwest. The community is threatened by water pollution, noise pollution, climate change, and reduced populations of Chinook salmon. When there's an earthquake with its resulting tsunami, Vega and Deneb become separated from their pod. Parry (A Wolf Called Wander) presents orca life convincingly, using fresh language. Tides are Push and Pull. Directions are warmward and coldward. Echolocation is click-stream. Connection between family members is maintained by the repeated reassurance, "I'm beside you," a refrain that becomes increasingly heartbreaking as the characters try to deal with the fracturing of their world. The story contains gracefully integrated information on such varied topics as the eel ("all teeth and patience") and the poison taste of an oil spill, without ever losing narrative momentum or emotional drive. Back matter gives clear explanations of terms (krill are "pink, opaque, and the size and weight of a paper clip"), suggestions for further reading, and practical tips for young readers on how to help save this precious environment. Detailed black-and-white illustrations beautifully support a powerful portrait of nature under threat.

Reviewer: Sarah Ellis | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2021

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Simon Röthlisberger. Young Ida, who lives in a treehouse, often wonders what's "beyond the sun, the moon, and the stars." She can stop wondering after a flying whale arrives and invites her "on a journey beyond the stars." So begins an eye-pleasing tour of visual marvels--an upside-down land, a flying boat, etc. Alas, the tour doesn't include a story line.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(2) PS Ivinson's rich acrylics create a dramatic story around a handful of words. A fox's first attempt to turn a wooden box into a seaworthy vessel ends poorly, but after a little handiwork--and with a faithful mouse companion--he launches ("Boat. Float"). Unfortunately, a storm is brewing... The creatures burst with energy and personality, and the punchy words play with phonics and rhyme to create an enjoyable read-aloud.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2019

(2) K-3 In this dramatic wordless tale, a commercial fisherman and (presumably) his son fish with a large net. When the boy notices their lines have entangled a whale, the father dives in to free the creature. Lanan's watercolor and gouache paintings are expansive and cinematic; mostly full-bleed spreads place readers at the center of the action. An afterword provides more information on whale entanglement and human-caused environmental damage.

Reviewer: Julie Danielson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2019

(2) K-3 On vacation with his family, a child waits for his friend Chicken Smith, who usually stays at a nearby cabin (observant readers will notice the for-rent sign). Our narrator reminisces about previous summer escapades, including their favorite pastime--searching for whales--while his sister repeatedly calls for him to see something important. Teals, grays, and blacks dominate Mackintosh’s scratchy, loose-lined illustrations in this poignant Australian import about change.

Reviewer: Julie Danielson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2019

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Richard Jones. Wednesday is a whale who lives in a big fishbowl "smack in the middle" of a city, but she's drawn to a distant patch of blue. She first learns the word sea from a compassionate young visitor named Piper; a giant leap (portrayed on a vertical gatefold) finds the whale finally home. A lovely story, gorgeously illustrated in grays and muted blues, of discovering where you belong.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(3) 1-3 Translated by Cathy Hirano. Illustrated by Jun Takabatake. In this friendship story from Japan, Professor Whale exchanges letters with young Wally, the grandson of a beloved fellow whale. Reminiscing about the good old days prompts the professor to resurrect the Whale Point Olympics, inviting far-flung friends (including Penguin and Giraffe from Yours Sincerely, Giraffe) to return for the fun and games. Humorous black-and-white line drawings add humor and warmth.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Matt Phelan. Wendell gets to thinking about what he'd do if he had a walrus for a friend. Mortensen's pitch-perfect child humor combined with Phelan's knack for body language and facial expressions brings the pair's joy clearly to the pages. The problem is that Wendell doesn't have a walrus. Then Wendell meets another boy with a whale for an imaginary friend, and the two become nonimaginary friends.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2018

(3) YA Illustrated by Rovina Cai. Bathsheba lives in a futuristic whale society that has adopted many customs of seafaring humans; they explore, hunt, and use ship-building technology. Led by Captain Alexandra, the pod "hunt[s] for a legend, a myth, a devil": Toby Wick, a human whale-killer. Their fantastical, violent quest is infused with Ness's powerfully made allusions to Moby-Dick and richly illustrated with Cai's swirly, atmospheric art.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Wendell Minor. Mia and her family gather on the San Juan Islands to see if Granny, a (real-life) 105-year-old orca whale, will appear. Mia's reflections relate facts about orcas' family structure, habitat, and endangered status. The humans cheer as Granny and her family appear--with new babies--and entertain the crowd with leaps and singing, elegantly rendered in Minor's gouache-watercolor paintings. More orca information is appended.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Erin McGuire. In Nazi-occupied Paris, Chantal discovers a whale in the Seine and names him Franklin. When Germans arrest her father and aunt, Chantal and Franklin journey to save them. This inventive fantastical story thoughtfully explores the hardships of war, although more contextual background could have given additional depth to Chantal's defiance and empathy. Still, the message that "sometimes silliness is your best hope" shines.

Reviewer: Mariko Turk

(4) 4-6 Twelve-year-old Nat (Natalia), who recently moved to Canada with her larger-than-life celebrity dad, doesn't know who her mother is (though she could easily find out). She meets Harry, a boy whose parents aren't supportive of his trans identity. Harry's story is woven into Nat's, but Nat emerges as a better-fleshed-out character. While there are a lot of threads to keep track of, Rivers's exploration of identity will keep readers engaged.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Alison Carver. Poetic text describes an Ice Age beluga whale's life with her pod and her (somewhat jarring) death; Charlotte's fossilized bones are discovered 11,500 years later in 1849 Vermont. How the fossils helped scientists understand ways the land had changed makes for interesting reading, but concluding messages from the bones ("'Time goes by fast,' they say") is a melodramatic touch. Extensive notes provide additional information. Reading list. Glos.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson