The Whale Who Swam Through Time: A Two-Hundred-Year Journey in the Arctic

Boersma and Pyenson's debut picture book, a reverent fictional tale of a bowhead whale, spans two centuries, centering the world's longest-living mammal while focusing attention on environmental changes that threaten it and other species. Checking in with the bowhead as a calf--and then again in 50-year increments--the narrative details human impacts on the Arctic habitat, such as whaling ships and plastics pollution. Watercolor, gouache, and ink illustrations begin with the young whale in tranquil frozen seascapes before depicting discomfiting scenes of global warming and industrialization, including submarines, oil rigs, and ships. In a striking penultimate scene, the bowhead's progeny seemingly swim upward into a night sky, their constellation-like appearance perhaps hinting at an unclear future for the creatures, before end lines conclude with hope: "Bowhead whales are used to swimming through uncertain waters." Back matter includes an authors' note, scientific facts, and notes about other Arctic creatures. Ages 4-8. (May)

K-Gr 4--This is a fascinating glimpse of what a bowhead whale might have seen over her lifetime in the last 200 years. The whale's story starts in her infancy--when she's still nursing from her mother and learning about all the things in the ocean around her, including ships. As her life continues, she becomes a mother and teaches her own calf about how to find food and avoid predators, such as humans. The book covers the impact of humans on whales through increased shipping traffic, oil drilling in the Arctic, and decreased sea ice. The authors include back matter, such a diagram of whale anatomy, information about other arctic animals, as well as information about the people who live in the Arctic, and provides readers with background, and ideas for further questions and research. Beautiful artwork offers a means for understanding the scale as well as the grandeur of the location. This would be an excellent introduction to a unit of Arctic study or a discussion of the impact of global climate change. VERDICT Narrative nonfiction at its best, helping readers understand the impact of global warming or even simply wildlife from a unique perspective.--Debbie Tanner

An excellent nonfiction picture book about a unique and beautiful creature and the dangers climate change is bringing. —Booklist