Maybe a Whale by Kirsten Pendreigh (review)

In this moving picture of grief, our protagonist is uncertain about her first planned ocean trip without her now deceased grandfather, who loved whales and the ocean. Together with her mother, they rent a kayak and paddle across the water, taking in sightings of moon jellies, anemones, and seals. However, the little girl wants more than anything to see a whale, wondering if they're swimming underneath the kayak or just sleeping. While camping on an island for the night, she looks up at the sky and asks, "Why are there more stars here?/ Is Grandpa up there?/ Can whales see stars?/ Are the whales even here?" Her mother reassures her daughter that the whales are always with her, thus highlighting how her grandfather will always guide the girl even when he is gone. Smith's impressionistic art style breathes life into Pendreigh's lyrical text in this moving picture book about the strong connection between grandfather and granddaughter. Motifs of galaxies, stars, whales, and compasses decorate the composition and design to show the girl's memories of her grandfather through their love for whales and the ocean. Interplay between light and shadow captures the magic of water, especially noticeable in the light streaming from the surface to outline the shadows of underwater creatures. Rhythmic sounds move through the story as the girl and mother kayak and set up a campsite with clicks, thunks, and snaps, evoking a rich sense of their world. Pair this with Theule's Mouseboat (BCCB 2/23) to demonstrate children finding peace and clarity with the healing power of nature.