Title: The Whale in My Swimming Pool
Written and illustrated by: Joyce Wan
Published by: Farrer, Strauss, Giroux, 2015
Themes/Topics: swimming (paddling) pool, whale, boy
Suitable for ages: 2-5
Opening:
Race you to the pool!
Whoa… A whale?!
Synopsis:
A little boy discovers a whale in his tiny blow up pool in the garden. He tries persuasion, questions and tricks to get the intruding whale out of the water so he can finally have a swim. That whale aint budging! And the little boy must come up with a far better solution, which proves a win/win for him and the whale. The final page in the bedroom is a very satisfactory conclusion to this summer story for the very young.
Why I like This Book:
The text is very short and very toddler-friendly as are the BIG colorful, round illustrations on double-paged spreads. I enjoy how the illustrations capture how huge this creature is, with one spread where we see the whale face on peering at us. The rising frustration of a toddler prevented from swimming by a giant intruder rings very authentic as do his creative solutions. The humor has both kid and adult appeal and it is a story I would not easily tire with rereading.
NB: For my French readers, this is also available in French:
Activities/Resources:
- What would you like to find in your swimming pool?
- What would you NOT like to find in your swimming pool?
- I might pair this with other whale books: The STORM WHALE, IF YOU WANT TO SEE A WHALE and especially DEAR GREENPEACE.
- Check out my interview with author/illustrator, Joyce Wan.
Each week a group of bloggers reviews picture books we feel would make great educational reads. To help teachers, caregivers and parents, we have included resources and activities with each of our reviews. A complete list of the thousands of books we have reviewed can be found sorted alphabetically and by topics, here on Susanna Leonard Hill’s website.
In my 20's, with only my guitar and a rucksack, I wandered the continents, immersing myself in the lives of some wonderful people, projects and stories, which changed the way I view my responsibility to others and this earth. Right now I'm a European transplant in the US who writes books for children and young adults. Stories can help us not only navigate our world but can connect us to others, and allow us to inspire and help each other. I believe that equity and empathy should be at the core of our all actions, words, and stories.
I am also a school librarian and I get a kick out of book-matchmaking! And I use the pronouns she/her.
What a fun story for kids! Everything in their world seems to be too big and this book kind of personifies that feeling. I love the cover.
I love your observation, Pat. It is all in the perspective!
Joyce’s illos have a certain joy in them that is hard to describe but so easy to feel! Great pick!
Yes, they always make me smile!
Read this book over the summer, so adorable!
CUTE!
I’m thinking this is the younger version of Billy Twitters and his Blue Whale Problem by Mac Barnett. It looks cute!
Good point. I had forgotten that one, Jilanne.
This looks like a very cute book. I bet kids will eat it up! 🙂
Kids will love the solution. I would too.
this little book looks like Very Big Fun! Great activity ideas!