WHALES SONG

by Dyan Sheldon

This poetic, rhythmic text tells how a small girl believes the whales will come - as they did in past times - and fill the oceans, as big as the hills . . . as peaceful as the moon. Day after day, Lilly waits by the shore. If only she knew the secret of the whales' song.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Fiction, Family, Classics, Nature

25 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Dyan Sheldon is the author of many novels for young adult readers, including the #1 New York Times bestseller CONFESSIONS OF A TEENAGE DRAMA QUEEN, which was made into a major motion picture. American by birth, she lives in North London.

Reviews

[Stephanie A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was given to me by a family friend for my 5th birthday, as confirmed by the beautiful calligraphy inscription in my copy, one of the few picture books to have earned a lifelong place on my shelf. As a kid it was nice but not my favorite -- the illustrations were too dark and the story too serious. However, the older I get the more I appreciate it. The oil paintings really are impressive, Lilly is the cutest little girl ever, and the magical quality of sneaking out at night to see the performing whales is enchanting at any age. My mom also did a beautiful whispering rendition of the text "far away, on the breath of the wind" on the last page, which probably helped increase my fondness of it.

[Tracey Callender · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book for my daughter when she was 5 because of the beautiful illustrations and because I felt it was a story to inspire hope, belief and appreciation of simple things. It was well read and special.I rediscovered it upstairs recently and sat to read it with my 2 year old grandaughter, Lilli, approx 17 years after last reading it and saw the opening line ''Lilly's grandmother told her a story...''A real goose bumps moment!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book!

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strange and melancholy tale about the disappearance of whales from their habitat and the young girl whose curiosity and patience is rewarded by a special visit.

The paintings that accompany the narrative are quite luminous and capture the essence of the story, giving it a dreamlike quality.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this story, although it was a bit depressing, especially in the beginning.

[Karen Margrethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated and poetic children's book conveying the message that value of things should be seen beyond a pragmatic profit; that whale should be cherished for their magical song not their bones and oil. In a way, it tells us never to lose our innocent virtues of imagination and curiousity.

[Maggie Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary:
Lilly's grandmother tells her fantastic stories about whales, and how they have given her gifts in return for the gifts that she has given to them. Lilly is enchanted by these stories, and wants to see the whales. On the night after she drops a flower into the ocean as a gift to the whales, she hears something. When she goes down to the shore, the whales are jumping and calling her name.

Review:
I have a strong connection to this book because my mother read it to me when I was little, and I was so enchanted by it. The paintings illustrating the story are absolutely beautiful. I love this book just as much as I did as a child, as the blend of realistic fiction and fantasy is perfect.

Book Connections:
I would connect this book with other ocean stories, such as My Life With the Wave by Catherine Cowan, or The Sign of the Seahorse by Graeme Base.

Quote:
"She stood up and turned toward home. Then from far, far away, on the breath of the wind, she heard 'Lilly! Lilly!' The whales were calling her name" (p. 23).
This is how the story ends, and I think it is a beautiful ending. This can be used as a mentor text for students writing fantasy. They can try using an ending that doesn't completely end the book, but makes the reader wonder what will happen next.

[Laura Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Whales' Song is a beautifully illustrated book which sees Lilly sitting on her grandmother's lap, learning of how the oceans were once filled with whales who would dance and sometimes sing in exchange for gifts.
Despite he uncle interjecting that whales were important for their meat and oil, Lilly goes to the nearby jetty and drops a flower in the water as a gift to the whales. Lilly waits and waits and finally, after her uncle takes her home, she hears the whales singing her name.
This book would be appropriate to read to children from the age of five and could be given to children aged six to eight to read independently.
Linguistically, the text is extremely descriptive and could be used to support teaching on adjectives, adverbs, metaphors and similes.
In terms of the content, I might use this as a basis for Geography to discuss nature and demonstrate how people can have an effect on wildlife.
As the illustrations are so detailed and picturesque, I might also be able to use them to discuss different landscapes and composition within an art lesson.

[Josie Panidou · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favourite picture books ever. I remember being mesmerised by the paintings as a child and they are just as mesmerising as an adult. This story resonated with me from a young age. The mystery, the poetry and the strong descriptions had me hooked from the first time I saw it and I never get bored of this book.

[Lilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book when I was little because my name was (and still is) Lilly and I loved whales.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

People really seem to like this story, but there's not much to it. I wish it had been developed a little more.

The more I think about it, the less I like the story ... maybe 2.5 stars.

[Alex Holder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful art

[TheMcafeeKids · Rating 5 out of 5]

The man said something that the whales couldn't sing - the uncle said that. Lilly gave a flower to the sea and then heard the whales singing to her. She woke up because the whales were singing to her. The uncle was wrong about that. Whales can sing. The grandmother said that the whales would sing if they were given a special gift. The grandmother gave a gift to the sea and heard the whales singing when she was little.

I liked this story because it was fun. My favourite part was when the whales got to sing to Lilly.

I think other kids should read this book because I liked it and right now we're doing a unit at home about sea animals so this was a good book for that. We put on a puppet show for my brothers and my sister and my Dad about the story. Uncle Frederick wasn't nice in this book.

- C, Age 4.

[Klarissa]

Lily loves to listen to her grandmother’s tales about the whales. Her grandmother tells her about if you bring the whales something special they may sing for you. The two are soon interrupted by Lily’s great-uncle Fredrick who insists that they are foolish. Lily decides to ignore him and continue to believe her grandmother. The next day Lily places a yellow flower into the ocean and later that night watches the whales dance and sing for her in the water. I find this picture book appealing because I find a child’s imagination on of the most important aspects of a child. There is some discrepancy of books that show inanimate objects or animals animated that foster imagination but this book doesn’t contain either. This book would be at the top of my list for my classroom library because of this fact.

[Linda Lipko · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book about dreams, nature, hope and believing.

Lilly's grandmother tells her stories of listening to the whales and their songs, and that as a child when she gave something to the whales, later they would dance and sing in the water.

Lilly's grumpy great-Uncle Frederick demands that the tales stop and that the only use for a whale is their meat, blubber and bones.

In her dreams, Lilly hears the whales. One day she places a small yellow flower in the water. That night, slipping out of bed, silently going to the pier, she waits and waits, until magically the whales appear, dancing and singing. As she returns home and wonders if it was merely a dream, she swears she hears the whales call her name.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've had this book for years. I purchased it early in my teaching career. I absolutely love the illustrations in this book! They are splendid. The one of Lilly on the old dock is my favorite.

I used the image of Lilly looking out the bedroom window as a picture prompt in the past. Just what could she be looking for?

Grandmother presents the dreamer's life; the uncle contrasts as the practical man. Of course, dreaming wins out, as it should in picture books.

Whales sing to those who provide gifts they like. If only . . .

[Sigourney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whilst at Waterstones the other day, my partner pointed this out to me and I practically shrieked with delight. This is one of my ultimate childhood favourites, and I remember listening to it at primary school when a particular supply teacher came in. I always looked forward to seeing her because I knew she would read this story to us; nearly twenty years later and it's still as entrancing to me. It's pure childhood nostalgia and it is just as magical as I remembered; the beauty of the story, the vibrant illustrations, everything about this story makes me smile.

[Maegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember fondly this story as my mother would read this book to me. Growing up my family would go to the beach almost every year, and in remembrance of those times my mother purchased this book and read it to me. Recently I found a copy of my own, and I enjoyed it now as much, or more, than I had when I was a young child. The illustrations are beautiful and Lilly's imagination and love of whales mirrors my own wonderment of these beautiful creatures.

[Modboy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely story -- the words and art have a magical quality to them. Grandma inspires her granddaughter Lilli with a story of the whales. If you give them a present they will show up and sing. Great Uncle Frederick thinks Grandma is filling Lilli's head with poppycock stating that whales were used for blubber and meat. This is the story of what happened one moonlit night.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not only are the illustrations beautiful but also the relationship between Lilly and her grandmother is a really special one (despite the efforts of her grandfather to stop the grandmother telling stories to Lilly). I think it shows how stories can be used to build and maintain relationships within families but also how a little imagination and/or patience goes a long way.

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

A keepsake from my youngest's childhood. A simple story that the reader or elder can expand upon. Gary Blythe illustrations, in his first picture book, are outstanding. Lilly, the young girl in the story, feels present and the reader can experience the story through her.

[Colton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book when I was young and never forgot about it. As an adult, it still captivated me. The simple tone hints at something deeper, and the illustrations of massive whales outlined by the moon at night are still gorgeous to look at. All these years later, the whales continue to sing their mystical songs, as they have for centuries.

[Maria Rizo-campos]

I like the book because it shows the relationship of Lilly and her grandmother when they are talking about the sea, especially whales. There is a lot of imagination and peaceful time while the little girl is waiting for the whales to come and pick up their gift.

[Joni Bowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is lovely and enchanting. The illustrations are remarkably beautiful; breathtaking. I happened upon this book many years ago in a quaint bookstore in Olga, Washington. It's been a favorite ever since.

[Irene Lázaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diría que El canto de las ballenas no solo es un cuento de niños, tanto la historia como las ilustraciones pueden ser apreciadas por adultos también. Las ilustraciones son impresionantes y el mensaje que lleva está teñido de realismo mágico y ecologismo. Un libro fantástico para tener.

[Gabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used to own this book when i was younger. So happy to read it again. Beautiful illustrations and story that tells of whales, dreams and following your passions no matter what the nay-sayers tell you. Great for any age

[Julie Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Similar in theme to her other picture book, Under the Moon, with beautiful paintings. Sheldon's protagonists in both are children who are trying to connect to the past and/or with nature.

[Daniel Lau · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this story because Lily gave a yellow flower to the whales. After that, Lily heard a strange sound, it was the whales' song.

[Abbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually did this book for Drama as our Choral Reading so it has a very special place in my heart. <3

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the audio book version of this when I was a kid.

[Cynaemon Milliken · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I can just imagine the whales singing to me. I have a signed copy of it.