Dear Professor Whale - Hardcover

Iwasa, Megumi

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1776572068 ISBN 13: 9781776572069

Publisher: Gecko Press ™, 2018

Synopsis

Now that Professor Whale has retired, he writes many letters to "You, Whoever You Are, Who Lives on the Other Side of the Horizon". Seal and Pelican are busy delivering the letters and Penguin is now teaching. Although he is happy his friends are doing so well, Whale wants a special friend;, who might call him by a friendly sort of name. Like Whaley, maybe, instead of "Professor."

In this charming follow-up to the international bestseller Yours Sincerely, Giraffe, another correspondence flourishes across the horizons. The letters bring penguins, whales, and seals together in the famous Whale Point Olympics, where the winners are friendship and humor.

About this title

About the Author:

Megumi Iwasa studied graphic design at Tama Art University in Tokyo, where she also worked. She is the author of a number of popular children's books, and she lives in Tokyo, Japan.

Jun Takabatake is one of Japan's best-loved children's book illustrators. His illustrations have been exhibited throughout the world, and he has won many major international awards.

Review:

"Building upon Yours Sincerely, Giraffe (2017), Professor Whale organizes an Olympics. Author Iwasa sets her story at Whale Point, with Professor Whale as the protagonist (although now he is retired, he would really like to be called the more casual 'Whaley' or 'Big Blue'). When Professor Whale sends out many letters via Seal in his attempt to follow Giraffe's lead from the first book and discover new animals in the world, his only answer is from Wally, a young whale who lives at Otto Island―a disappointment, as Professor Whale was expecting a letter from an animal he wouldn't normally meet. Turns out, though, Wally is the grandson of an old friend of Professor Whale's who moved away in the big migration. Wally mentions an Olympics held long ago at Whale Point, at which his grandfather won a silver medal, and Professor Whale is inspired to organize another one. This part is delightfully silly, since the events are: a seal swimming race, a penguin walking race, and a whale spouting contest. Overall, though, the story labors to sparkle, mostly because it's so predictable―even many of Takabatake's black-and-white spot illustrations lack pizzazz. The story's theme of friendship plays out in regular helpings of goodness on the parts of the characters, and while kindness and friendship are wonderful things, a bit spice is nice too. Not nearly as fresh as Yours Sincerely, Giraffe but not a total bust, either."―Kirkus Reviews

(Journal)

"Professor Whale has fond memories of the friendship between Giraffe and Penguin, which began as a simple letter exchange in Yours Sincerely, Giraffe (2017). Feeling lonely, he decides to follow their example and write a lot of letters, hoping to get at least one pen pal. Soon two responses arrive: Pelican (the airmail delivery bird) brings one from his former student Penguin, and Seal (the regular mail delivery mammal) brings one from Wally, a young whale at Otto Island, who wants to learn about his grandfather who once lived at Whale Point. His query leads to Professor Whale's reminiscing about his old friends, and he invites them to a Whale Point reunion. They have so much fun remembering their Olympic Games, they decide to hold another and invite the whales, penguins, seals, and pelicans to participate; they even invite Giraffe as their special guest. Takabatake again contributes childlike black-ink drawings that amplify the gentle, heartwarming nature of this beginning chapter book about friendship and how kindness reigns over winning."―Booklist

(Journal)

"Professor Whale has retired from teaching and lives alone in the north. The color blue makes him happy, as does imagining himself with wings. But he's lonely, so he sends letters around the world through the 'delivery seal,' hoping for a fun pen pal. To his delight, he receives a letter from the grandson of an old friend. Soon after, the arrival of some visitors inspires him to revive the Whale Olympics. Together, he and his friends convince whales, seals, and penguins to compete in good fun. This delightful early chapter book makes for some smile-inducing reading. The black-and-white line drawings add a pleasant touch. VERDICT An ode to the joys of friendship and letter-writing, this is a great choice for early chapter book readers."―School Library Journal

(Journal)

About this edition

• Publisher: Gecko Press ™
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 1776572068
• ISBN 13: 9781776572069
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 104
• Illustrator: Takabatake Jun