Whale in the Sky

This is a beautiful, well told book full of color woodcut illustrations inspired by Northwest Native American totem poles The pictures are wonderful: bursting with action and atmosphere. The story, based on a legend of the Northwest Indians (it would have been nice to name them), is about diverse animals working together to save salmon from a river-going whale! Thunderbird's talons take the whale up to a mountaintop and the two creatures strike a deal to make the river safer for Frog and abundant with fish for people. In addition to the unique wood prints, Siberell's book is noteworthy for the last page's description of tools and natural color sources (e.g., cedar, animal blood, berries, clamshells) used to make totem poles. 29 pages, suitable for reading to toddlers up through first grade or so, as well as a good reading book for the somewhat older child (around second or third grade).

Whale In The Sky, written and illustrated by Anne Siberell, is a clear and strong story about how whale came to live in the ocean and not in the stream. The text is concise and spare, which keep the story from being bogged down. The relaxed style of the writing is also reflected in the graphics. The illustrations are done with woodcuts. This style adds to the native Pacific Northwest Coast rythym of the words. The colors contrast for easy 'reading' of the pictures. A beginning reader can get the messages without being able to read the words. This is a great story to learn about how totem poles came into being. The book starts with a one paragraph history of the area and totem poles. The book ends with the story, Whale In The Sky, depicted in a totem pole. Without giving it away, the story shows cooperation toward a goal, as well as, respect for others and their needs. My chldren love to add words as we read or tell the parts themselves. When this book is back in print, pick up a copy and add it to a young persons library near you.