A classic but contemporary tale for 3-to-7-year-olds featuring a hilariously grumpy seafarer and her trusty dog sidekick who get swallowed by a whale. For fans of Caldecott Honor books Bear Came Along and Leave Me Alone.
Stoic seafarer Maude and her canine sidekick Claude head out to fish as they have done every day for many years. But this time, something unexpected happens. (Maude hates it when something unexpected happens.)
They get swallowed by a whale. What does one do when one is swallowed by a whale? Throw a farewell party, I guess. (Maude loves a good party.)
Hilarity ensues as more and more creatures get swallowed and Maude has to keep changing her party plans. (Maude does not love crowds.)
Will Maude and the whale part ways, or is this the end? (Maude would prefer it if we could hurry this up.)
Okay, okay. Read on to find out.
"Whale, That Was Unexpected is a seriously fun picture book collaboration between author Casey Lyall and illustrator Kathryn Durst. . . . Lyall's spirited text. . . . and the intricate art give this story a plethora of potential to become a story-time favorite." —STARRED REVIEW, Shelf Awareness
"Stand aside, Pinocchio. There’s new whale bait in town, and she’s got her own kind of flair." —Kirkus Reviews
"Art and text work delightfully together, each expanding the other, to create a sea story with attitude well suited for a lively read-aloud." —The Horn Book
"Digitally enhanced charcoal-and-gouache art embraces the dark and drippy setting and offers a perfect contrast for everyone’s sanguine expressions and the witty illustrative details that cleverly support the plot. . . . A silly whale of a tale and a truly seaworthy selection for any read-aloud setting." —Booklist
A classic but contemporary tale for 3-to-7-year-olds featuring a hilariously grumpy seafarer and her trusty dog sidekick who get swallowed by a whale. For fans of Caldecott Honor books Bear Came Along and Leave Me Alone.
Stoic seafarer Maude and her canine sidekick Claude head out to fish as they have done every day for many years. But this time, something unexpected happens. (Maude hates it when something unexpected happens.)
They get swallowed by a whale. What does one do when one is swallowed by a whale? Throw a farewell party, I guess. (Maude loves a good party.)
Hilarity ensues as more and more creatures get swallowed and Maude has to keep changing her party plans. (Maude does not love crowds.)
Will Maude and the whale part ways, or is this the end? (Maude would prefer it if we could hurry this up.)
Okay, okay. Read on to find out.
Photos
Praise
"Whale, That Was Unexpected is a seriously fun picture book collaboration between author Casey Lyall and illustrator Kathryn Durst. . . . Lyall's spirited text. . . . and the intricate art give this story a plethora of potential to become a story-time favorite." —STARRED REVIEW, Shelf Awareness
"Stand aside, Pinocchio. There’s new whale bait in town, and she’s got her own kind of flair." —Kirkus Reviews
"Art and text work delightfully together, each expanding the other, to create a sea story with attitude well suited for a lively read-aloud." —The Horn Book
"Digitally enhanced charcoal-and-gouache art embraces the dark and drippy setting and offers a perfect contrast for everyone’s sanguine expressions and the witty illustrative details that cleverly support the plot. . . . A silly whale of a tale and a truly seaworthy selection for any read-aloud setting." —Booklist
