The Heart of a Whale
by Anna Pignataro (Author)
In this beautiful story of kindness and empathy, loneliness and love, one creature finds that the help he needs is just a song and a sigh away.
Whale's beautiful song winds its way through the ocean, reaching the farthest of faraways. His song is one of happiness and hope, magic and wonder--and Whale's fellow sea creatures are calmed, cheered, and lulled by it. But though Whale sings his tender song day after day, night after night, Whale wonders why he has no song to fill his empty heart. So when he lets out a mournful sigh, the ocean carries it like a wish through its fathoms, bringing it to just the right place.
Filled with stunning art and poetic language, this poignant story reminds us that being kind and helping a friend in need is sometimes the most beautiful thing of all.
Praise for The Heart of a Whale
"A picture book . . . that touches on the wistfulness of solitude and the joy of finding a companion." --The Wall Street Journal
"Lyrical text . . . dreamlike . . . A sweet cetacean story." --Kirkus Reviews, *STARRED REVIEW*
"This visually stunning story is as beautiful to see as it is to read." --SLJ, *STARRED REVIEW*
"This is a quiet, gentle love story that will appeal to youngsters." --Booklist
"The text is lyrical and imagistic . . . the illustrations evince an undulating dreaminess. This is a calming and peaceful bedtime readaloud." --BCCB
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School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 1—As Whale traverses the ocean, his song provides an uplifting background for all who hear it. From baby seahorses to urchins to flowers, Whale's song of hope and wonder permeates the vast expanses of the sea. Despite the joy he brings to others, however, Whale's heart remains empty. Releasing a baleful sigh into the void, another friend is summoned to be for the whale what that whale has been to everyone else. Everyone gets lonely sometimes, and it is especially hard to recognize an empty heart behind a facade of warmth. Told from the perspective of a solitary whale, this story emphasizes the importance of friendship and seeking support and kindness, particularly when life seems bleak. Lyrical, poetic language peppers richly beautiful watercolor illustrations throughout this deeply emotional story. Each illustration is expertly balanced not only with the text but also beside the adjacent pages in the book. Though no humans are mentioned in the story, palpable sensations emerge from every image, reminding readers of the many layers of feelings humans experience. VERDICT This visually stunning story is as beautiful to see as it is to read; young readers will especially appreciate its message of friendship and encouragement as they begin to investigate their own big feelings.—Mary Lanni, formerly at Denver Public Library
Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
JUV039050 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Emotions & Feelings
JUV039240 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Depression & Mental Illness
JUV002170 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Marine Life
Whales
Loneliness
Whale sounds
