The Night Whale

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Author(s)

Bryher Mackenzie

Co-Authors / Illustrators

Gillian Eilidh O'Mara

Publisher

Candlewick

Genre(s)

Age Range

Release Date

October 01, 2024

ISBN

978-1536238846

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For daydreamers and the young at heart, this stunningly illustrated journey through a star-encrusted sky captures the beauty of our world—and of bonds that cannot be broken by any kind of distance.

Nana speaks of astronomy often, telling fantastical tales from many moons ago, tales her granddaughter wonders at. Tonight, with hot chocolate and constellations for company, they wait. Moonbeams bounce off the crashing waves, and, at last, Nana’s old friend appears in the sky: the Night Whale, swimming among the stars. Nana and the child climb onto the Night Whale’s back, and she whisks them off—over twinkling cities, through the shimmering colors of the northern lights, and back again. But this is only the beginning of the journey for Nana. As she embraces her grandchild, she promises she will always be out there. Even when Nana and the Night Whale soar back toward the ether, leaving the child behind, she can still feel her grandmother’s love and hear the Night Whale whispering, “Anything is possible.” Debut author Bryher Mackenzie and illustrator Gillan Eilidh O’Mara craft a magical voyage through the heavens that reassures young readers that goodbye is not the end.

Editor review

1 review

A Heartfelt Tale of Loss, Love, and Legacy

October 02, 2024

Overall rating

4.3

Plot

4.0

Characters

4.0

Writing Style

4.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

5.0

Nana tells various tales from a long time ago that her granddaughter is enamored with. Tonight they are waiting for Nana’s old friend, the Night Whale, to come amongst the stars. Nana and her granddaughter climb onto the Night Whale’s back and she takes them on a journey through various cities, the northern lights, and back home. Nana promises her granddaughter that she will always be there. Nana and the Night Whale then soar back leaving the granddaughter behind but she can still feel her grandmother’s presence and words letting her know that “anything is possible.”

What I liked: When I saw the cover of this book I was intrigued as it is a beautiful cover and the idea of a story tying people together fascinates me. I love storytelling to keep generations together and found that this book does a great job of displaying how this is done. The images that are included are beautiful and I love that we see so many places as we travel along with the Night Whale.

The ending of this book reminded me of Moana as Nana continues to journey with the Night Whale and leaves her granddaughter behind. I appreciate how the author shows the passing of a loved one and how alone a child may feel in that moment, and in contrast how stories and memories keep the person there with you.

Final Verdict: The Night Whale is a fascinating, magical, and mystical book that children ages 3 and up will enjoy. Children will love going on adventures with the Night Whale and seeing all of the various sights that they encounter. Adults will love how this book shows them and children know that their loved ones aren’t far away even when they are no longer with us.