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A Symphony of Whales
Having the special ability to hear the whales, Glashka is able to tell the villagers of their pending doom when thousands of them become trapped in an inlet that is slowly beginning to freeze over them all.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published October 4, 1999
7 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
March 5, 2017
I'm reviewing this as part of my ongoing series of Goodreads reviews of quality picture books about whales.
The children's book publishing industry is infamous for its homogeneity; A Symphony of Whales stands out from the pack by featuring an indigenous protagonist, a native Siberian named Glashka. Glashka can talk to whales -- or, more accurately speaking, whales can talk to her, for this book radically posits that humans and animals can have a symmetric relationship, rather than the latter being subservient or peripheral to the former. Glashka's supernatural gift is injected into what is otherwise a naturalistically told "true story" about people working across cultures to achieve a common goal, harnessing the universal power of music to rescue a trapped pod of belugas. Not only do Glashka and her fellow villagers exhibit compassion toward animals, but the whales in the story also model compassionate behaviors: "'Look,' said Glashka's grandmother, 'See how the whales are taking turns, how they give the younger ones extra time for air.'" One element of this tale that children may particularly appreciate is the way Glashka is not babied despite being a child: the adults in her life take her supernatural gift seriously, and in one scene her parents even let her drive the family dogsled (under their supervision). This sends the empowering message that anyone, no matter their age, can shoulder responsibilities and make valuable contributions to their community.
The children's book publishing industry is infamous for its homogeneity; A Symphony of Whales stands out from the pack by featuring an indigenous protagonist, a native Siberian named Glashka. Glashka can talk to whales -- or, more accurately speaking, whales can talk to her, for this book radically posits that humans and animals can have a symmetric relationship, rather than the latter being subservient or peripheral to the former. Glashka's supernatural gift is injected into what is otherwise a naturalistically told "true story" about people working across cultures to achieve a common goal, harnessing the universal power of music to rescue a trapped pod of belugas. Not only do Glashka and her fellow villagers exhibit compassion toward animals, but the whales in the story also model compassionate behaviors: "'Look,' said Glashka's grandmother, 'See how the whales are taking turns, how they give the younger ones extra time for air.'" One element of this tale that children may particularly appreciate is the way Glashka is not babied despite being a child: the adults in her life take her supernatural gift seriously, and in one scene her parents even let her drive the family dogsled (under their supervision). This sends the empowering message that anyone, no matter their age, can shoulder responsibilities and make valuable contributions to their community.
January 3, 2022
This is one of those picture books that makes me wonder why I read anything else.
✔️ A fascinating story
✔️ Based on a real experience (in 1984-85)
✔️ Beautiful, and I mean *beautiful* artwork that enhances the experience of character, setting, and story
✔️ People working together to make the world better
And all of it accessible in a children's picture book format. What a gorgeous experience.
✔️ A fascinating story
✔️ Based on a real experience (in 1984-85)
✔️ Beautiful, and I mean *beautiful* artwork that enhances the experience of character, setting, and story
✔️ People working together to make the world better
And all of it accessible in a children's picture book format. What a gorgeous experience.
September 15, 2020
I might have heard about leading a pod of whales to safety with music, but I had probably forgotten it. This is a beautifully illustrated story set in Siberia. There's a little mysticism, but the beauty of the animals, the land, and the heart of the people tells a remarkable (and based on a true) story. It was a little too long and wordy for my 10-month-old, but I'm sure he'll appreciate it later on.
December 19, 2015
A Symphony of Whales is a story about a girl who gathers the people of her community together to save a group of whales trapped in an inlet that is starting to freeze. They do this through the use of music. The story is a representation of multicultural literature because it is set in Russia and provides insight to the culture and customs of the people living there. This book could be a part of a text set about Russia, music, or whales, since all of those themes are present.
A writing trait evident in this book is idea. The purpose of the story is to send a message about human's connection to nature. It also sends a message about working together to make a difference. Word choice is another writing trait because of the author's use of interesting vocabulary that might especially stick out to elementary students.
Book Level: 4.1
A writing trait evident in this book is idea. The purpose of the story is to send a message about human's connection to nature. It also sends a message about working together to make a difference. Word choice is another writing trait because of the author's use of interesting vocabulary that might especially stick out to elementary students.
Book Level: 4.1
August 5, 2014
What a find!!! This is a true story about the 1985 Beluga Whales that were trapped in ice near Russia. We really liked this book! The story was wonderful. We did not however like the illustrations. To me they were too abstract, and same for my kids.
July 6, 2018
Especially cool because it’s based on actual events. I’d like to pair this with other books about this or other whale rescues.
December 21, 2018
What a beautiful story! The illustrations perfectly capture the atmosphere. I felt as if I was in a living dream as I read the book.
November 11, 2021
When those outside of the region think of the ways indigenous people living in the Arctic circle relate to wildlife, it is almost always in the context of hunting. Yet this touching and atmospheric book, based upon a true story, shows that kindness and empathy for other beings can shine through in even the harshest environments.
When a huge pod of beluga whales becomes stuck in an iced-over inlet, a young girl, Glashka, and her community spring into action. There is no thought of killing the whales or ignoring their plight. The people reach out until they find help for the animals--in the form of a weak signal from a Russian ice-breaker ship--even sharing their own meager food rations to keep the whales alive. When help finally comes, there is a sweet and creative solution to get the whales to recognize that the ship is there to help rather than harm them.
When a huge pod of beluga whales becomes stuck in an iced-over inlet, a young girl, Glashka, and her community spring into action. There is no thought of killing the whales or ignoring their plight. The people reach out until they find help for the animals--in the form of a weak signal from a Russian ice-breaker ship--even sharing their own meager food rations to keep the whales alive. When help finally comes, there is a sweet and creative solution to get the whales to recognize that the ship is there to help rather than harm them.
September 16, 2020
This reminds me of the star trek film star trek iv the voyage home which was really a save the whales movie. This book is the true fictionalized retelling of how the village came together to save the whales. They found a way to play music that the whales would listen to so that they could be brought back out to sea and be saved instead of dying when all the ice froze over. Hurray for international cooperation and classical music!
October 3, 2017
A gripping tale based on the true story of a group of Siberian people who work together for weeks to save a pod of beluga whales trapped in the sea ice. Thousands of whales we're saved with the combined efforts of the villagers, a Russian Icebreaker ship and classical music.
April 19, 2022
This is beautiful. It is based on a true story. Our students read a similar story in grade three in their Open Court anthologies. After we read it we had a big discussion about whether or not this really happened and students looked up additional information.
June 21, 2018
Too much text for a read aloud, but a beautiful story based on real events of the rescue of a pod of Beluga whales in the Bering Strait.
September 19, 2019
Ratio of words to pictures is off.
November 16, 2019
This book is based on a true story, but is told with lyrical story elements. Gorgeous illustrations. Inspiring kindness, teamwork and empathy.
February 19, 2021
Excellent story!!
September 22, 2021
My students LOVED this story today!
Read
January 25, 2022good book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2010
What a rare kind of book. Really can be used to empower kids about the things they can accomplish, and how kids of other cultures live. The illustrations were beautiful and the writing was really good too!
September 1, 2015
A whimsical account of a very real event. Beluga whales become entrapped in the arctic ice and its a race for time as help arrives. Beautiful paintings bring this tale to fantastical life as the spirit of connection is awakened.
October 26, 2008
A wonderful story of the importance of community and our relationships with nature. Great illustrations... as much for adults as it is for kids!
August 1, 2011
Love the illustrations in this one and the story is stunning as well! Great book :)
March 15, 2013
A story about a whale rescue
August 27, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. The story is motivating. Both the pictures and writing were great!
January 13, 2016
It's so nice to read about people helping wildlife in distress. The somber art, set the tone for the story.
August 1, 2016
Glasha helps to rescue the whales trapped in Siberia.
October 13, 2016
While the story is good, Peter Sylvada's oil paintings are exemplary. His brushwork is absolutely gorgeous. I want his paintings hanging on my walls.
August 12, 2021
Amazing story based on real event from 1984
to-read-for-kids
December 26, 2011jack packert - winter 2011
Want to read
July 26, 2017(not in delaware library)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews