The Whales

by Cynthia Rylant

In lyrical text and bold paintings, Cynthia Rylant showcases the tremendous beauty of whales -- from the humble Blue and musical Humpback to the attentive Fin and Bowhead -- and reveals factual details about them.

Genres: Picture Books, Poetry, Childrens, Animals, Science

40 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1996

About the author

An author of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry for children and young adults as well as an author and author/illustrator of picture books for children, Cynthia Rylant is recognized as a gifted writer who has contributed memorably to several genres of juvenile literature. A prolific author who often bases her works on her own background, especially on her childhood in the West Virginia mountains, she is the creator of contemporary novels and historical fiction for young adults, middle-grade fiction and fantasy, lyrical prose poems, beginning readers, collections of short stories, volumes of poetry and verse, books of prayers and blessings, two autobiographies, and a biography of three well-known children's writers; several volumes of the author's fiction and picture books are published in series, including the popular "Henry and Mudge" easy readers about a small boy and his very large dog.

Rylant is perhaps most well known as a novelist. Characteristically, she portrays introspective, compassionate young people who live in rural settings or in small towns and who tend to be set apart from their peers.

from bookrags.com

Reviews

[J. Boo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poetic blabbity-blabbity about whales keeping secrets and saying hello, backed by medium-is-the-message art: the paintings were done with "natural sea sponges", as opposed to paint-brushes.

But DS#2 (starting from 1, now 2) really likes it, and requests it often, and "reads" it to himself. Who am I to argue?

[Carol Royce Owen · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be honest, I got this book because it was by Cynthia Rylant (one of my favorite children's authors). The book is good and I'll be able to use it in classrooms for early non-fiction, just no where near her best.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vibrant colors, rich language. Great story.

[Ana Marlatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book from one of my favorite authors.

[lye · Rating 4 out of 5]

a lovely book and story!

has whale information which is fun for all reading it along with beautiful art work. there is mention of God.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes, a picture book with the minimal text, but one does learn a few facts about whales and they are mainly illustrated in shape without much detail which is a good way to learn different species. At the time of writing this book, Rylant had done some 60 titles; the amazing fact here is this is the second one she has illustrated--she is very talented in the field of children's books. The illustrations were done in acrylics using natural sea sponges--how appropriate.

[Paul Hankins · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a tender verse that appears on each page, complimented by the natural sea sponge paintings (also by Rylant). This book comes together very nicely as a look at the different whales of the world.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

the whales by cynthia rylant there are many types of whales in the world, they are an interesting species, from their first breathe, to their size and variety. a good introduction to looking at nature.

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated book about several different types of whales. The pictures come alive when you read this book, great for visualizing.

[Hayli Wrigley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The paintings were very pretty. Also, it would be a good book to get children exposed to poetry, while at the same time being informative about different types of whales.

[Yingwen]

The book has beautiful illustration that interests children in knowing different types of whales. Reading the text is an enjoyable journey since the sentences are kind of like poetry.

[Z · Rating 2 out of 5]

great illustrations, but a bunch of God bullshit in it. not recommended