Moby Dick: Chasing the Great White Whale

by Eric A. Kimmel, Andrew Glass (Illustrator)

AHOY!
Come with us aboard the Pequod.
We search for Moby Dick,
 the Great White Whale!
Along with Captain Ahab,
you’ll meet danger face to face,
hunting the fiercest creature
the seas have ever known!
Are you brave enough—
and bold enough—
for the adventure of your life?

The award-winning author and illustrator team of Eric A. Kimmel and Andrew Glass introduce a new generation of readers to a magnificent and memorable retelling of Herman Melville’s masterpiece, Moby Dick.

Genres: Picture Books, Classics, Childrens, Animals, Poetry

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 4, 2012

About the author

Eric A. Kimmel is an American author of more than 150 children's books. His works include Caldecott Honor Book Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins (illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman), Sydney Taylor Book Award winners The Chanukkah Guest and Gershon's Monster, and Simon and the Bear: A Hanukkah Tale.
Kimmel was born in Brooklyn, New York and earned a bachelor's degree in English literature from Lafayette College in 1967, a master's degree from New York University, and a PhD in Education from the University of Illinois in 1973. He taught at Indiana University at South Bend, and at Portland State University, where he is Professor Emeritus of Education.
Kimmel lives with his wife, Doris, in Portland, Oregon.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although he is probably best known for his many folkloric retellings, prolific picture-book author Eric A. Kimmel has also interpreted a number of works of world literature, from Beowulf to Don Quixote , for younger children. Here he turns to that classic 19th-century American novel, Moby-Dick , presenting the story in rhyming sea shanty form. Told from seaman Ishmael's perspective, the tale follows the tragic story of Captain Ahab and the whaling ship Pequod, as they chase after that great white whale, Moby Dick, who had maimed the captain on a previous voyage. Needless to say, all does not end well...

Although I consider Herman Melville one of, if not the greatest writer that America has ever produced, and although I consider Moby-Dick to be a work of genius, I don't think it would have been at the top of my list, when it comes to works of adult literature to retell for children. Its themes are so mature, and many of its scenes so intensely graphic, that I probably would have passed it over, in considering such a list. Then again, Shakespeare is replete with mature themes and graphic scenes, and he's been retold for children countless times, so perhaps I'm simply being overly cautious. Kimmel's narrative here is engaging, and Andrew Glass' accompanying artwork, done in oil paint, is expressive. A detailed afterword gives more information on Moby-Dick and the American whaling industry of the 19th century, as well as providing a glossary. If you're looking for a children's retelling of this story, to familiarize the young with a great novel, then Moby Dick: Chasing the Great White Whale might be the book for you. But if the children in question are animal lovers, parents and educators should be aware that there are some distressing scenes here, in which whales are harpooned and killed.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

A picture book version of the great American classic. In rhyming, rhythmic text, Ishmael recounts the quest to hunt down Moby Dick and he alone was left to tell the tale.

An author's note following the story explains the inspiration behind the original and some background info about the author.

Oil and pencil illustrations. The medium chosen gives the artwork a watery haze which is highly effective in visually telling this story. PreK-2.

[Ted · Rating 2 out of 5]

A picture book version of Melville’s Moby Dick, told in sea shanty verse. Features some extremely well-done illustrations, but the story is an essentially traditional whaling adventure with some intense thematic elements. Good for what it is, but it’s hard to gauge the real audience for this.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, that's impressive. Everything I've heard about the epic seems to be in here, even the details of how to process a dead whale. Just written very concisely, of course. Even if one is to claim that a picture is worth a thousand words, this would be a wholesale abridgement.

Just one question: did Kimmel add the moral about respect for life, or was it in Melville's original?

Excellent author's note, also glossary.
I didn't particularly care for illustrations as I hoped they'd do more to actually tell part of the story, but they are lively and fitting.

[Alyssa Bohon · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a short kid's version appetizer, I consider it quite well done. Condensing it this small must have been tremendously demanding, but the thread of the storyline held and my children were completely captivated - in a way that made them want to know more of the real book. Also the author tried to use a decent amount of the original vocabulary throughout the rhyming text, enough to require a glossary.
.
The illustrations are a bit blobbier than my preference but they somewhat capture the soggy atmosphere of the story.

[Mayra Bermejo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Traditional Literature
Unique feature: The book uses simple words to tell this story, the pictures are very colorful and unique its fun to look at and figure out what is going on in the pictures, the print is large which makes it easier and more appealing for readers. The story is simplified for readers to get the main idea of the story.
Grades: 4+
The book contains pictures of a whale being killed this may not be suited for younger readers.

[Kate Matheis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a good picture book for older students (4th and up). It tells the classic tale of Moby Dick. Told from the perspective of a shipmate we hear of captains Ahab's adventures. In the end we learn that we should respect nature and all its creatures.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This engaging rendition is told in sea shanty form, with handsome illustrations and a pro-environmental ending to boot.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun rhyming version of the classic Moby Dick. we originally bought it for the art, which is excellent, but it's really fun to read to our toddler.

[Donna Mork · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully rhymed summary of the original, told in a not so scary phrasing. Enjoyed it immensely. Nice illustrations too.

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s overly simplified, but it makes sense since this is a children’s version. The illustrations were wonderful though.

[Nichole · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just... why? It's not like it's poorly done or anything... just... why?

[Bobbi Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Call me Ishmael,” the story begins as the boy hero heads for New Bedford town, “a-whalin’ for to go.” It’s the adventure of a lifetime told in verse reflecting the 1-2-3 rhythms of working sea shanties of old. Eric distills the story to its emotive core as one by one Ishmael meets the ill-fated crew of the Pequod: the tattooed harpooner Queenqueg, Starbuck, Stubb, and Flash, and the rest of ‘a jolly crew.”

Then, can’t we just hear the booming baritone foreshadowing doom as Captain Ahab comes on deck! The one-legged captain is red-eyed, driven by revenge. The sailors’ fate is sealed as the Captain and the Pequod chase the great white, Moby Dick. they:

“ … scanned the ocean day by day/ for any whale in sight./ We spied some blue and gray ones, too,/ but not a single white./”

The rhythm of the sea shanty rises and falls and rises with the action, in tune with the lush, rich oil and pencil illustrations by Andrew Glass. And then, the great white whale, Moby Dick, rises out of the depths in a dynamic two-page spread. The Pequod faces its destiny and the narrator ends with a warning, “The moral of this story is,/ as my sad tale has shown:/ Respect all creatures, great and small,/ and leave the whales alone!”

Eric includes a history of the story in a detailed author’s note as well as a glossary of terms.

A great, great read aloud!

[Erik Mueller]

Kimmel, E., & Glass, A. (2012). Moby Dick: Chasing the great white whale. New York, New York: Feiwel and Friends.

Summary:
Join Ishmael as he sets out to sea on the Pequod, a whaling ship, headed by the revenge-driven Captain Ahab, a wild man in search of the great white whale Moby Dick, who had bitten off the Captain’s leg years before. This book retells the great classic tale of the whaling ship Pequod and her crew as they pursue the fearsome whale across the sea. At long last, the whale is spotted, but as the Captain leads his vengeful attack, the crew begins to wonder if maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all.

Activity:
A sea shanty was a song sung by sailors on boats while they labored away at their duties and jobs on deck every day. Imagine that you and your classmates were shipmates on the Pequod, in search of the great Moby Dick. Construct a short sea shanty that you might have sung on the ship while working. Think about describing life at sea, rumors of the monstrous whale, or tales of Captain Ahab’s quest for revenge.
 

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd never have imagined a picture book version of the American classic, Moby Dick, but this one works since the author has distilled the essence of the classic whale hunting tale here, making the focus Ahab who is obsessed with finding that white whale, and young Ismael who watches it all unfold. Since it has an environmental slant, and provides background about how Herman Melville came to write such a big fish story, it will be of interest to older readers. This one is fun to read aloud since it is told as a sea shanty with lots of rhythm. The oil and pencil illustrations are particularly memorable, especially when focusing on Moby or on Ismael standing aboard the floating coffin, surrounded by choppy waves as he awaits rescue. High school and college readers might want to read the picture book before tackling Herman Melville's weighty title since it is the visual equivalent of Cliff Notes or SparkNotes.

[Katie J Schwartz · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Hey, you know what would make a great children's book? Moby Dick!"

SAID NO SANE PERSON EVER.

Because, seriously, how did this come to fruition? This is the type of idea that you have during a fever dream, scribble down in your journal, and then shudder in personal embarrassment every time you glance at your own notes. It's the kind of idea that should never actually see the light of day.

I mean, Moby Dick as a children's book?

Let me give you a little sampling:

"Now, listen how to catch a whale.
We row up to its side,
then stick a harpoon in its back
and hang on for the ride.

We cut the blubber from the beast
and strip it to the bone.
So, in the end, Leviathan
makes oil for lamps at home."

How cheery! A perfect bedtime story, really.

At least it rhymes?

[Fives OnTheFly · Rating 4 out of 5]

All of the kids enjoyed this poetic tale of Captain Ahab and his quest for the White Whale. The illustrations are very engaging. The younger Fives studied the whaling industry this past summer yet were still shocked by the depiction of the whaling crew trying and kill the whale. So, this might not be a great book for more sensitive readers. However, it is a quick summary of Melville's famous novel.

[Lindsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked Kimmel's other books: Don Quixote and the Windmills and The Hero Beowulf. This one fell flat for me. Mostly, because this retelling is told in verse, which still manages to make Moby Dick inaccessible to ELLs. Alas, not the introduction to the classic tale I was hoping for.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the concept of introducing this epic tale to younger readers, and the squiggly, cross hatched art depicts the ocean, swimming whales, and harpooning so interestingly. The rhyming text fits the setting well, but I wonder if the vocabulary is too advanced and/or old-fashioned for the readers at whom this book is intended. Will have to try it out with a few...

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book, but couldn't ignite even the tiniest spark of love. I have read it two times trying to get a feel for it. Alas, I have given up. I felt that the words did not flow and the phrases were choppy. The illustrations were not my favorite. This book would not be at the top of my book list.

[Laura Z · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wasn't impressed with the style of illustrations, and who thought it would be a great idea to make a young children's picture book of a story where killing a whale is fairly graphically described and many men are killed?? One star.

[Pam Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

The text is beautifully written in a poem format and the illustrations help you "feel" the ocean. I'm just not sure who the audience is for this one. It will give children a very small taste of Moby Dick and I liked the added information at the back of the book.

[Mrsculpepper · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a great intro to moby dick for myself and my kids. somehow i never read it in either highschool or college. the illustrations are gorgeous and the story is interesting enough i might read the original.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the way this rendition was done for kids. The story was simplified just the right amount - and it even rhymed. The pictures were beautiful and enjoyable to look at. I would love to see a whole series of classics done this way for children.

[☕️Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fantastic illustrations, although some are a bit blurry. The story is a bit abrupt. They all go out to sea to get this whale. But the whale is larger than life and everyone dies except the narrator. The end.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pair with Mocha Dick: The Legend and Fury

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, bare bones distillation of the Moby Dick story for younger readers featuring some fabulously awesome illustrations by Andrew Glass.

[Shawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kimmel admirably condenses the story of Moby Dick into a picture book format for youngsters ages 4 and up. Paintings by Andrew Glass make this a great story for read-aloud or read-alone.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Captain Ahab takes his crew on a mission to find Moby Dick, the great white whale that crippled him. the classic story in picture book rhyming format. Expressive illustrations

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything from the art, to the glossary, and the author's note combine to introduce this epic novel to the younger student. Beautiful book.