04 Feb Review: Maybe a Whale
Maybe a Whale
by Kirsten Pendreigh; illustrated by Crystal Smith
Groundwood Books, 2023
ISBN: 9781773066646 (hardcover)
ISBN: 9781773066653 (eBook)
$21.99 CAD (hardcover)
$16.99 CAD (eBook)
36 pages
Ages: 3 to 6 years old
Review by Erin Dunlop
Maybe a Whale is a touching exploration of love, grief and remembrance. After losing her grandfather, a young girl embarks on an ocean kayaking trip with her mother. She misses him deeply, especially since they were supposed to go on this journey together. She hopes to see the whales he loved so much, but they are nowhere to be found, until the pair suddenly hear them that night. Though they can’t see the whales in the dark, the young girl realizes that they are there and will always be with her, just like her grandfather. This picture book thoughtfully approaches the sadness and uncertainty of loss. The characters demonstrate that amidst grief, there is comfort in memories and the knowledge that those we love remain a part of us, even after they’re gone. With its vivid illustrations of ocean and sky, Maybe a Whale is an excellent age-appropriate resource for young children experiencing loss.