This picture book explores the world of whales and the impact of human activity on their survival. It supports curriculum concepts related to understanding the features and behaviours of whales that help them thrive in their environment. The author explains how human activities like marine traffic, whale hunting, and whale watching can harm whales. As a result, readers are encouraged to make ethical decisions and become ecologically responsible citizens.

The book includes various anecdotes about human-whale interactions, prompting critical thinking and personal responsibility regarding how people interact with the natural world. It also mentions whale myths and stories, explaining why these tales are unlikely and encouraging a scientific mindset in understanding whales. Although the book lacks a table of contents, it features a detailed index to help readers find key information.

Other End Matter: None
Images: Colour illustrations
Bibliography: No
Index: Yes

Evaluator: Lorena D., High School Teacher, BC Books for Schools

India Desjardins is a French Canadian author and screenwriter based in Montréal, whose popular series Le journal d'Aurélie Laflamme has sold more than two million copies in the francophone space and has been adapted for the big screen. Her picture book Le Noël de Marguerite won the 2014 BolognaRagazzi Award and was a finalist for the Governor General’s Literary Award. India worked as a journalist for ten years before devoting herself to books and screenplays, and she also writes for adults.

India Desjardins' profile page

NATHALIE DION is an illustrator living in Montreal who studied Design Arts at Concordia University. Her other children's books include I Found Hope in a Cherry Tree by Jean E. Pendziwol, The Biggest Puddle in the World by Mark Lee and What's in Your Purse? by Abigail Samoun. Nathalie has received a number of awards for her illustration and has exhibited her work in Montreal galleries.

Nathalie Dion's profile page

David Warriner grew up in the UK and escaped to Quebec right after graduating from Oxford. A professional translator for nearly two decades, David nurtures a healthy passion for Quebec fiction and has translated a range of fiction, nonfiction, and children’s fiction titles by Quebec authors for British and Canadian publishers. He lives in Penticton, British Columbia.

David Warriner's profile page

• Nominated, Forest of Reading Silver Birch Express Award

“Visually stimulating and loaded with interesting facts, creating an effect that will have readers poring over the pages trying to soak it all in. What’s more, Desjardins takes the educational and inspirational aspects of her book even further by touching on themes like climate change and human activity as threats to the welfare of the natural world… a worthwhile choice for shared reading time.”

Montreal Review of Books (MRB)

“Full of rich, interesting facts…Complementing the text are unique water-colour illustrations that bring life to the pages.”

Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD)

“A book that can be dipped into time and again. Illustrations are painterly and delicate…they work beautifully and draw the reader in. One of the book’s strengths is that we are asked to see whale behavior through their lens, not a human one.”

Hakai Magazine

“This information picture book takes a fresh approach [and includes] soft, inviting watercolour illustrations…fulfills its goal of linking us with the history and future of whales. Highly Recommended.”

CM: Canadian Review of Materials