If You Want to See a Whale

Fogliano and Stead team up again to examine the relationship between patience and reward, trading the gardening theme of And Then It's Spring for a maritime setting. The text resembles a series of brief poems, each beginning with the phrase of the title: "if you want to see a whale/ you will need a window/ and an ocean/ and time for waiting/ and time for looking/ and time for wondering 'is that a whale?' " Stead's pencil and linoleum prints--as delicate, understated, and imaginative as ever--take exciting creative license with Fogliano's expressive writing. When the author cautions against getting too comfortable ("because sleeping eyes can't watch for whales"), a redheaded boy--the one seeking the whale--is seen leaning over a yellow armchair, peering down into the pale green sea in which it bobs. Gentle irony courses through the story: when Fogliano warns against being sidetracked by fragrant wild roses or the possibility of pirates in the harbor, it's clear that those "distractions," while certainly different than the split-second magic of spotting a whale, are treasures in themselves. Ages 2-6. Illustrator's agent: Emily van Beek, Folio Literary Management. (May)

PreS-Gr 2--A poetic text advises children what to do (and not do) if they want to see a whale, as the illustrations show a boy, a dog, and a bird trying out the actions suggested: ."..if you want to see a whale, /you will need a not-so-comfy chair/and a not-so-cozy blanket/because sleeping eyes can't watch for whales..." and ."..if you want to see a whale/you shouldn't watch the clouds/...because if you start to look straight up/you might just miss a whale." An imaginative effort, the book uses linoleum printing techniques and pencil for the softly colored illustrations. It is also designed with a great deal of white space, which deftly evokes the mystery and vastness of the sea. A unique and lovely offering that will appeal to sensitive and patient children.--Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

"To find a picture book that attempts to explore the patient, persistent and solitary pursuit at the heart of creativity is unusual; to find one that succeeds in making such an abstract process comprehensible to children is extraordinary....The author-illustrator team responsible for the bestselling "And Then It's Spring" has again produced something truly unique, melding a hypnotic text with translucent, light-filled illustrations that invite young readers to climb aboard, row diligently, keep looking and experience the wonder of the journey for themselves." —The Washington Post

"Fogliano's words are carved and measured. This is a writer who takes her time, and the leaps she makes with language surprise and thrill." —The New York Times

"A gorgeous love song to the imagination . . . It's breathtaking . . . Fans will be waiting." —Booklist, starred review

"Readers will gape at the two enormous, whale-sized talents at work in this transfixing picture book." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Stead's pencil and linoleum prints—as delicate, understated, and imaginative as ever—take exciting creative license with Fogliano's expressive writing." —Starred Review, Publishers Weekly

"The same pair that brought us And Then It's Spring (rev. 1/12) returns with a book that has a similar overall feel but a completely different story. . . this one takes on the possibility of imagination." —The Horn Book

"Her [Stead's] work is often a study in composition, with horizon lines recurring like a chorus, counterpointed with subtle or strong diagonals and swoops. The whale itself is legitimately humongous yet also clearly wise and benign, politely presenting itself to the presumably well-pleased whale searchers. This could be an inducement to some imaginary eyes-shut travel, or just an offbeat choice for sending kids off to dreamland." —BCCB