The Whale Child

'The Whale Child' opens with a dark, moody ocean, seen through a window. Inside is a glowing table lamp, highlighting the faces of Great-grandma and Honey. Smith captures Honey's expression perfectly, showing her anticipation for a cosy bedtime story. Great-grandma begins, telling the story of a baby falling into the ocean after a storm sinks the sailing ship. She was rescued by a pod of whales and learned to eat fish and spout water. Then came the whale hunters. The whale child tried to lure the hunters away from the pod by swimming furiously, but she was 'taken' and learned to live on land.

The illustrations are mostly in deep blues and blacks, necessitating the type to be in white throughout the story. This makes it easy on the eyes, as well as a perfect length and style for a read-aloud. The language is rich with adjectives and descriptive verbs complementing the artwork. At the end of the story, Honey reminds Great-grandma of something she'd promised to mention later. That extra detail makes for a surprising plot-twist. The expression on Honey's face is priceless, and says it all. This story would appeal to younger children who enjoy a fantasy story with a few surprises. It could also lead into learning about whale conservation and the threats they face.