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Little Whale written by Anna Brett with illustrations by Carmen Saldaña

Little Whale is a lovely and informative picture book. Anna Brett’s educational story is approachable and I love Carmen Saldaña’s cute illustrations!

This easy-to-read story follows a day in the life of adorable humpback whale calf Little Whale. He lives in a pod with his mom, dad, and other family members. The humpback whales live in both warm and cold waters. But, this time, they are setting out to find food in The Antarctic Ocean. Along the way, we learn many interesting facts about these majestic gentle giants. There is information on their annual migration, whale songs and how they communicate with each other, as well as their familial relationships in their pods. Did you know that humpback whales only sleep for 30 minutes at a time? Did you know that these gigantic whales consume a diet of small fish and krill (little shrimp)?

First, we have a wonderful story followed by a great fact and photos section that also includes case studies as well as fun crafting and quiz activities! I also love the pictures of real humpback whales as well as the story of Migaloo the albino whale. This is a great way to show kids that the whales that they’ve been reading about actually exist! The fictional story is fairly short but engaging and effectively conveys a lot of information without being too overwhelming. Brett’s writing is simple and approachable. But, there are some difficult words that younger readers may need help with.

I learned so many new things about these amazing gentle giants! Furthermore, I never felt like I was being bombarded with facts or being preached to. I also like that Little Whale is our story guide because it makes learning relatable and fun for young readers. I definitely think this book will encourage kids to learn more about conservation, whales, and the wonders of marine life!

Saldaña’s full-page and full-colour illustrations are so charming! I love the beautiful and gentle colours. The underwater scenes are beautifully rendered and I love the representations of sea life. The humpback whales are adorable. I especially love sweet Little Whale with his lovely cheerful smile! I particularly love the beautifully drawn last page of the story where Little Whale sends us off into the sunset with a smile and a stunning rainbow spray. It is a joyous and memorable sight and will definitely keep Little Whale imprinted in my memory!

Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – words & pictures for this book in exchange for an honest review.

🐳🐳🐳🐳🐳 out of 5 little whales!