The Children and the Whale

By Daniel Frost
Published in Europe: August 2018
International publication: November 6, 2018

Why we chose this book:
To read about children and animals in a setting quite different from our own. The more we read about this diverse world, the more we can understand and appreciate it! Little Gestalten provided a review copy.

Mom's Review

Incredibly beautiful pictures set in the Arctic - two children, icebergs, and Arctic fauna - accompany a powerful story of love and strength.

Around the fire one night, a father tells about seeing a bone-breaking creature who lives in the sea; although it has been decades since the last sighting, the son, Cuno, is determined to find this whale. When Cuno tires of watching the sea from a chunk of ice offshore, he takes his father's kayak to search further from home. His little sister, Aia, stows away, and Cuno is heartily displeased to find her. Even so, he panics when they become separated, feeling guilt and responsibility for his younger sibling. Miraculously, the whale appears, pushing the chunk of ice on which Aia is stuck. The whale guides them both home, and their bond is repaired.

The Children and the Whale tells a story of a boy who wants to spot the whale from his father's story, but must contend with a pesky little sister. Within this frame, the readers are treated to images of children who are at home in the snow, or kayaking among icebergs, or even exploring on their own. The implication that these young people are responsible and resourceful enough to be outside unsupervised speaks to a trust that I often feel is lacking in my everyday life. While I do think T is far too young to be kayaking in the Arctic, alone or otherwise, I do recognize the importance of independence. Allowing exploration of nature within safe parameters is something that I am trying to do more and more of myself. I don't have to be right next to him. It really is okay for him to hit a tree with a stick ten feet away from me while I rearrange rocks in our yard! And that is something that this book has me thinking about as an adult.

The other striking aspect of this book is the relationship between the brother and sister. At first we see a stereotypical little-sister-annoys-big-brother scenario. Once Aia is confronted with real danger, however, Cuno immediately regrets his treatment of her and is heartbroken by what happened. In the end, after the whale returns them home, we see that they are side by side and we are told that they watch for the whale together: a stark contrast to the start. This depiction of sibling dynamics may resonate with children who sometimes disagree with their brother or sister but love them unconditionally, even if not admittedly. Moreover, it reinforces the idea of positive sibling dynamics.

Son's Review
(Age: 3 and 1/2 years)

Son: I think their father is gonna be surprised since it didn't break their bones. It led them home.

Mom: I think so, too. I really liked seeing how they lived in a different place. What are they wearing?

Son: Arctic clothes.

Mom: That's right. And what kind of temperature do you think it is outside? Do you ever look like them?

Son: Cold. When I'm wearing my snow gear, yes.

Mom: Would you want to play with Cuno and Aia? What would you do with them?

Son: Yeah. Pretty much just explore with them.

Mom: Would you chase the whale like they did?

Son: Yeah.

Mom: If you could go hunting to see any animal, what would it be? Why would you want to see a dolphin?

Son: Mainly just a little dolphin. Because they're cute.

Mom: Do you have any advice for Cuno or Aia?

Son: My igvice is, "Don't be so mean to the green one."

Mom: That one's Aia. [She's dressed in a green snowsuit.]

Son: Don't be so mean to Aia.

Mom: What did you learn from this book?

Son: I learned that it's a bad thing to be mean to other people.

Mom: How did this book make you feel?

Son: I felt kinda sad because [Cuno] was being mean to that one [Aia]. I want to read it again. Did you really like it?

Mom: I did!