Het verhaal van de walvis

by Karen Swann, Padmacandra (Illustrator)

Waar land overgaat in de lucht
en de lucht in zee verdwijnt
kijk ik naar de golven
waar opeens een walvis verschijnt.

Zo begint een wonderbaarlijke ontdekkingsreis en een heel bijzondere vriendschap. Maar het is ook een reis die een ongemakkelijke werkelijkheid laat zien … dat vervuiling door plastic en onverschilligheid de oceanen verwoest met alle dieren die daar leven.
Dit prachtige verhaal nodigt ons uit om na te denken over onze verantwoordelijkheid voor het milieu en doet een oproep om vervuiling door plastic te stoppen.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Nature, Environment, Conservation, Storytime

32 pages, Hardcover

Published March 1, 2021

About the author

Karen Swann won the Writing Magazine Picture Book Prize in 2018. She grew up in the UK where she trained as a physiotherapist in a small town by the sea. Always a writer and a storyteller, she now lives with her family in Nottingham and, when she’s not halfway up a climbing wall, she loves to write lyrical rhyming stories at an old Victorian scrub-top table. The Tale of the Whale is her debut picture book

Reviews

[Mathew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literature has a gift for making the vague, clear and that which is distant (culturally, geographically, historically and emotionally), present. It invites us to connect emotionally with words and worlds we may have forgotten or never knew existed. It also invites us look afresh at who and where we are and affirm or reconsider through reflection. Often though, and this is where it can be at its most potent, it shows us a world which has been in front of us all the time but we could not see because of where and how we were looking. More of my review here. here

[Mieke Schepens · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Het verhaal van de Walvis’ is een verhaal met indrukwekkende illustraties die het verhaal complementeren. Het boek nodigt op deze manier uit om uit voor te lezen en samen de afbeeldingen te bekijken en samen te bespreken wat geschreven en getekend is.

Het verhaal roept op uit om na te denken over onze verantwoordelijkheid voor het milieu en schreeuwt de wens uit om vervuiling door plastic te stoppen.

Kortom: ‘Het verhaal van de Walvis’ is een aanrader en verdient zonder meer vijf fonkelende sterren!

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! Firstly the theme of the book and the key message behind it is really powerful and very current in the present day. The illustrations are so powerful, allowing the reader to really immerse themselves in the text. I love how a beautiful book like this, can be so educational to young children, teaching them about such an important issue. I will definitely be using this in KS1 and in any future classes that I teach. A great way to introduce the topic of the environment and saving our oceans! As a reader of this book, I feel as though I was able to connect on an emotional level, really understanding the true meaning behind the book and the important message. Overall, this book really touched me and it will definitely be a great book to explore with children.

[Elizabeth☮ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A boy befriends a whale who takes him a journey of the sea. They encounter all of the beauty of the ocean, but also the many perils to sea life (mainly human detritus).

The illustrations are nicely done and capture the beauty of sea life. The message isn’t overwhelming for young kids.

[Annabel Peet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. The build up of seeing all of the beauty of the ocean and then realising the impact that the world is having on the ocean's through the whale eating all of the rubbish in the seas. The pictures really enhance this idea as you see all of the ocean animals throughout the journey and then see them being ruined by the rubbish in the oceans. I also liked the end message of hope, with a request to help clear the oceans and stop the pollution.

[Phoebe Browne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The message of this book unfolds gradually, with the words and illustrations working together to uncover the deeper meaning by the final page. Its slow, approachable pace makes it perfect for children, encouraging them to engage thoughtfully with environmental issues. The visuals invite meaningful discussions about how these problems arise and what actions we can take to address them. As a cross-curricular resource, it mixes storytelling with opportunities for learning and reflection.

[Kate CB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read at uni -Nice patterns in this book, wholesome and an important message for children to learn about

[Zenzile Nyathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, and poignant tale which inspires thought about how we can look after our oceans, and the implications that plastic has on sealife.

A good read, and beautifully illustrated by Padmacandra.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A worthy but somewhat ham-handed enviornmental message weakens an otherwise lovely story about a child and a friendly whale who embark on a magical journey together.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This tale follows the journey of a young child and a friendly whale. The whale takes the child on an adventure through different parts of the sea where the child is amazed at all of the wonder of the ocean. However, they get to some parts that reveal tons of plastic pollution littered throughout the ocean and the poor whale actually gulps down a large load of trash while trying to eat it's meal. You can see the teardrop welling in the brim of the whale's eye after it eats and the child finally understands why the whale took him on this particular journey. It's a silent plea for help from all of the different sea creatures that plastic waste is affecting, and a call to be better and more innovative in our approaches to garbage and material goods. The whale returns the child home and the kid promises to tell the "whale's tale" of the "plastic soup sea" to everyone and to be a better in keeping our Earth clean. I like how this story uses a whale to demonstrate the consequences our plastic waste is having on the ocean and sea/land creatures. After reading this with my 10 y.o., it was a good segue to begin our next non-fiction story called Plastic Sea and the destruction us humans are having on our beautiful oceans. Very appropriate and eye opening story for young and older readers alike.

[Pug · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aww, such a sweet whale! Very beautifully illustrated, and a touching story about hanging out with a cute whale!

It took a dark turn at the end when the kid and whale ended up in the atrocious garbage patch. What a horrible thing people have done to this beautiful earth, and all the creatures living in it. So it's important for people to hear about, and to remind us all to take better care of our planet.

(A little too depressing for a storytime, though! haha)

[Bibibabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Berührender Aufruf für die Umwelt

Ich bin von diesem Buch mega beeindruckt. "Der Gesang des Wals" ist im Grunde ein illustriertes Gedicht über Umweltverschmutzung. Die Bilder im Buch sind einfach wunderschön. Mein Kind war sehr lange in die Illustrationen eingetaucht und hat das Buch komplett und gründlich untersucht, bevor es mich gebeten hat, es vorzulesen. Der Zeichenstil ist künstlerisch, die Bilder sehen so aus, als wären sie mit Pastellkreiden gemalt.

Der Text ist poetisch und hat dem Kind auch gefallen. Das Buch wurde ursprünglich auf Englisch geschrieben und die Übersetzung ist absolut gelungen. 

Die Geschichte ist ein bisschen traurig: ein Kind reist mit einem Wal durch den Ozean. Die Reise ist faszinierend. Doch der Wal ist traurig, weil es im Meer so viel Müll gibt, dass er beim Essen immer Plastik runterschluckt. Andere Tiere leiden auch unter dem Müll. Das Kind ist berührt und animiert Leute, Müll zu sammeln, damit er nicht ins Meer gelangt. 

Das Buch war für uns ein guter Einstieg ins Thema Plastikmüll.

[Luisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bilderbuch mit Gänsehautfaktor!

"Wo Himmel und Meer sich begegnen als Strich, da sah ich den Wal und der Wal, der sah mich."

Schon dieser erste Satz hat mich so begeistern können, sodass ich umso erfreuter war, als es nur so weiterging. In wundervollen Reimen, unterlegt mit den berührenden Bildern, erzählt das Buch die Geschichte eines Jungen, der von einem Wal mit auf eine entdeckungsreiche Reise genommen wird, die ebenso farbenfroh wie tragisch ist.
Ohne den erhobenen Zeigefinger, nein - auf ganz einfühlsame Art und Weise wird hier nicht nur die Schönheit und Vielfalt des Meeres vermittelt, sondern auch die Probleme der Verschmutzung dessen aufgezeigt. Gerade aufgrund der vorher präsentierten Schönheit, die durch die tollen Bilder nur noch mehr zur Geltung kommt, kommt der Kontrast zu den Problemen der Tiere nur umso deutlicher hervor. Das wird unterlegt von der als Reinem formulierten und ans Herz gehenden Geschichte, die wahrlich für Gänsehaut sorgt!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a child spots a whale from a lighthouse, the whale invites them on a magical ride. They swam under the sea and found a beautiful colorful world with valleys of sand and carpets of color. They then crashed to the surface and flew to the polar sea where the whale emptied its giant belly of all the ocean things he's been collecting - an ocean of trash - bottles, and straws and cups and garbage. As they returned the child saw the effect all the trash has on the birds and animals, and they cried. The child promised to tell the story.

Karen Swann's lyrical text was so fun to read aloud, and the ecology lesson was a great surprise - I kept thinking, what are they going to find? They found an important lesson. Padmacandra's illustrations are enchanting. The Tale of a Whale would be a great share in an elementary classroom.

Cross posted to http://kissthebook.blogspot.com

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I loved this in so many ways. The art is beautiful and enchanting. The text is lilting like a comforting song. I love the recurring phrases. A little boy ventures off with a whale friend. The beginning feels like a playful, imaginative adventure, but it takes a very environmental turn by the end (which is a bit didactic, but I'm pretty eco, so I was on board with it). Great for my earth month displays.

[Lisa Yee Swope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who doesn't love a lilting rhyme about an interspecies friendship and an underwater adventure? And what child (or parent) reading about the joys of the ocean deep and the tragedy of the plastics therein wouldn't be moved to help change our shared future? A joyful romp for a storytime on oceans or environment and how we're all in this together.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't immediately love these illustrations, but M saw this book at the library, and since it had a whale on the cover we had to borrow it. A kid goes on a journey with a whale and sees the ocean - and also how the ocean is being polluted with plastic. It's got a good message about caring for creation at the end.

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gentle, educational , gorgeously illustrated tale of a journey with a hump backed whale and the things the poor thing is forced to eat because of the pollution in the sea. Fab descriptive language complements the lush pictures , a great starting point for teaching children about plastic waste.

[Kylie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wonderful message that comes off a little rushed and little corny. The illustrations do not make the plastic pollution very prominent or clear, which could make it difficult for a child to understand the story if they aren't already familiar with the topic.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Didn’t realize what this book was about when I checked it and other picture books out that center on the beach, in preparation for a little beach trip. In the same group of books I got was The Big Beach Cleanup, with which this book pairs perfectly!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Come dive to the bottom of the glorious deep blue sea with a boy and his whale. Disover unseen treasures and the frightening changes in the water. The Tale of the Whale by Karen Swan is a rhymed picture book that will enthrall readers and spark empathy for the oceans around us. For ages 5-10.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A child takes an ocean voyage with a whale, visiting many areas of the sea. No treasure is found but a whole lot of trash is available.

An emotion-evoking rhyming story of ocean pollution and conservation lacking relevant back matter.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately I didn't write a review immediately after reading this book. I only vaguely remember the book and the feeling of being unwhelmed by it, and that The Walk of the Whales by Nick Bland being a picture book I enjoyed more.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a beautiful tribute to the sea and environment. The illustrations are absolutely stunning, the the story is captivating. I will be giving this book to all the young readers in my life!

[Leonie Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is a must-read for everyone. Incredibly beautiful and touching. Full of emotion with an important message. Illustrations are stunning.

[Tasnim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story about a boy and a whale. Their adventures not only shows the underwater environment but also about the marine pollution. A great book with illustrations for children.

[Rebecca R · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hauntingly poetic story of a whale with a heartfelt and timely entreaty about plastic pollution.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this for my work book club and it’s just utterly delightful! A beautiful story about a real tragedy.

[Leova Manbhat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story about what is happening to marine life because of pollution.

[Renee Bowman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must have for libraries.