My Good Friend, Ted! in Ted's Tale of the Tangled-Up Whale

by Robyn Gram-Barclay

Join Ted, a RED Blue Whale and grand protector of the ocean, as he encounters a very 'tangled-up' situation! Ted and his friends show that kindness and teamwork help solve tricky problems, especially through love, care, support, and understanding.

40 pages, Hardcover

Published November 19, 2024

About the author

Robyn Gram-Barclay is an art teacher of nearly two decades, practicing artist and award-winning author and illustrator of the "My Good Friend, Ted!" picture books series. She illustrated two previous books for different authors. Bucket list goals and dreams are meant to be followed and ultimately shared! Ms. Gram-Barclay resides in Ontario, Canada with her husband, children and array of pets.

Reviews

[Brandon Detwiler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kudos to Barclay for creating a book to appeal to children and also have a social message to impact parents as well. The cast of sea critters in this story band together in friendship to save one of their own. Ted the Red Blue Whale has the back of all his ocean friends, and he knows they all have his back as well. It is a shame that we are such a destructive creature to the world around us. We need to learn from Daisy, Sam, Eely, and Narwhal Ned and realize how much more we can accomplish by working together for the betterment of the Earth! An excellent book indeed!

[Dahlia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book not only captivates children with its charming sea critters but also delivers a powerful message for both kids and parents alike. Through vivid illustrations and a heartwarming tale of friendship and teamwork, it sheds light on the importance of environmental conservation. A delightful and impactful read.

[Edgar Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a cute book with a good story line where a sperm whale needs help from his sea friends. We liked the pages in the back that featured all the creatures in the book.

[Sarah Bankuti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a lovely book with beautiful illustrations - my kiddos loved pointing at all the colorful fish on the pages. Great story of how all the sea creatures come together to help those stuck in the net - and also sheds light on caring for sea creatures too.

[Ann Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of a whale that gets tangled up in a fishing net, and what happens when his friends try to rescue him. It’s a lovely lesson about friendship and perseverance, told in rhyming verse, while bringing awareness to a serious problem in our oceans.

[Mrs. D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A real ocean problems!

This rhyming book touches on a very important problem: the safety of ocean animals. Because of people’s ignorance, many animals are endangered, and some are disappearing from the ocean.

The book carries a good message, unfortunately, as in the other books from this series, the rhymes need some work. I think this book could benefit if the author changes to prose and makes her artwork more exciting. The childish illustrations are bright, but a little boring for my taste. However, I am not a child and children may relate to her artwork because it is how young children draw ocean animals.

Bonus: some information on ecology is in the back of the book.

Overall, it is a good book that teaches children how to connect to the ocean and understand how people pollute and endanger precious ocean life.

[The Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

All young children will adore the latest in this series of delightfully illustrated, rhyming books by award winning author/illustrator, Robyn Gram-Barclay.

In this latest tale, Ted (the RED whale) tries to help his friend who has become entangled in a discarded fishing net, but in doing so, manages to get himself into lots of trouble too!

This series of interactive picture books provide valuable educational material, fun facts and great conversation starters for all carers of young children, promoting issues including the acceptance of differences, diversity and the importance of kindness.

The world will become a better place if the author continues to add to the series of ‘Ted’ books!

‘True friends last through every adventure!’ Robyn Gram-Barclay

I award this book 5 stars.

[Mimi Lakes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for young readers. The rhyming makes it fun and the illustrations are beautifully drawn. I loved the message of team work and the dangers of humans leaving nets in the ocean.

And the fact the main character is not the normal color for a whale was cute twist.

I think kids younger than 6 would enjoy this book as well.

[Beverley Reichman · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Good Friend, Ted! introduces early readers to ocean life with the help of Ted, a red Blue Whale as he and his sea friends enjoy a game of tag. Children will enjoy the playful illustrations and identifying the sea animals. The theme of the story is a positive message that, although we may be different, we can embrace one another's differences and get along.

[Carolyn Watson-Dubisch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is really beautifully illustrated in watercolor and touches on a very real problem. Animals in the ocean getting tangled in old fishing nets. I liked this one book quite a bit and there's even some information on echolocation in the back of the book.

[Danna Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kudos to the author of this book. I like this book so much because of its cute characters that will for sure interest the readers. The readers will learn to value friendship and show kindness every time one friend is in trouble. Such a good book for kids.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vibrant and fun book for kids loved this book! I received a free copy from the author.

[Lauren Joelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book about sea life and helping those in need. Important lesson about keeping our oceans clean and not pollute.

[Agnes Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story has a good message but I found it to be quite dull. The illustrations or text don't appeal to me. It's an important storyline though about the state of our oceans.

[Linda Updyke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great storybook with beautiful and colorful illustrations

[Alex Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book for kids with alot of lesson to learn

[Kristina Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful tale of friendship and kindness. The illustrations are colorful and endearing. Wonderful resources in the back section too!

[Lily L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great book, circling around the importance of friendship, helping someone in need, and most importantly, tackling the reality of the state of our oceans nowadays. A powerful and inspiring story.