The Whale

Gr 1–4—A whale of a tale, beautifully rendered in nothing but pencil. "Giant Whale or Giant Hoax?" asks the Cape Chronicle, a local newspaper that contextualizes this otherwise wordless story. Fifty years ago, two children claimed to have seen a Giant Spotted Whale, but many didn't believe them. So now, a challenge to prove or disprove its existence has been issued. What ensues is the story of a modern girl and boy who set out individually with tracking and recording equipment, collide at sea, and then team up to achieve their goal. Every illustration showcases the capabilities of pencil; the artist uses a variety of techniques to create different types of textures, shadows, highlights, and dramatic effects. All together, these elements form a series of stunning, photorealistic snapshots. Minute details, such as those found on the young man's tattered coat, make it worth our while to examine each illustration closely. For its finale, the book comes full circle. A new edition of the Cape Chronicle reveals the connection between the past and present and leaves us with a sense of vindication.