The Boy and the Whale

"Resource Links - In Moniz's new picture book, kindness is returned in an opportune way. When an island boy is out fishing in his boat (perhaps for a meal because he is poor), he rescues a whale that has been caught in a net. A few days later, the whale hears the boy's cries for help after being pulled into the water by a sailfish. The whale appears to smile as he carries his new friend safely to shore. The book ends with a reminiscence; ""As the boy grew into a man, he always remembered how far a little kindness can go, and how big a friend you can make along the way."" Soft, watercolour illustrations include close-ups of the grey whale and sunny lighthouse views from the shore. As the waves and the clouds twirl with a similar intensity, fish and gulls give above and below water. The text, which moves up and down like the waves, is decorated with shadows of sea creatures. This book would be dun to share with children who live along the coast or who enjoy activities on the water. Thematic Links: Loneliness, Friendship; Whale; Sailing; Ocean; Rescue; Fishing; Kindness This IS Literacy - There is a pleasing fluidity and rhythm in the text. Visually, the sentences also roll like waves across the page. This eloquent, fable-like tale of friendship also lends itself very well to being shared aloud. CM Magazine Review The beautiful watercolour illustrations are the highlight of The Boy and the Whale. Moniz exploits the gorgeous colours of the seaside to create soft, inviting images that dominate each page. The light blues of the water and gentle oranges of the sun-filled sky are very appealing. Young readers will not be frightened by the arrival of a massive whale in any of the images as the subdued colours make all of the illustrations delightful. Well-used double-page spreads help to convey the size of the whale and the ocean. Moniz wisely uses these large images to communicate the difference in size between the whale and the boy, and the ocean and the boy. Most of the illustrations are framed, with individual sea creatures decorating the white border on each page. There is the occasional full-bleed image which helps to immerse the reader in the scene. It is hard to find any fault with these perfect illustrations. The text is curled on the page, almost mimicking the curve of a wave. While this is a nice touch, it competes with the illustrations for attention, particularly during the first reading. It is much less distracting during subsequent readings. The Boy and the Whale is a picture book best shared with preschool and early primary students. It will particularly appeal to children who love stories about humans bonding with wild animals or children who love the ocean. Review for Wazzyjump, also by Michael Moniz: """"The visual transformation of both the lion and the fox from predator to playmate borders on...the magical. Sublime."""" - Starred Kirkus Review """"This is a gentle and appealing book, one with a clear message about the power of having fun."""" - Quill and Quire """"It's pleasing to see how Wazzyjump uses his """"magic"""" to win over each new friend."""" - Calgary Herald"