"We hear a familiar song.
We twist and twirl.
We blow bubbles that float up, up, up."
As readers note a humpback whale and her baby swimming side by side on the verso side of the first spread, they look over to the recto to watch a small boy, holding a red balloon, and his mother travel city streets. A page turn shows the calf look up through the water's surface at a bird flying high; the child spies a soaring airplane.
The journeys they take are shown on facing pages throughout, while simple lines of text let readers know they are occupied with the same pursuits. All stay together side by side, and their play is similar. When the whales do a deep dive, the humans descend downstairs into the subway. Each turn shows how similar both families truly are. No matter what happens, mama always provides comfort and safety. As mother and son board a sightseeing boat in the harbor, astute readers will realize what is about to happen.
"We watch,
we listen, and then ...
WE LEAP!"
What a lovely premise for this book! The mixed-media artwork will delight readers with the parallel urban and ocean scenes. There is such serenity in the warm, emotional images. Back matter includes a two-page spread that explains how whales and humans have some interesting similarities.
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