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ashmanzer's review against another edition
5.0
Cute story and beautiful illustrations
We loved the rhyming story and learning about narwhals and belugas. The illustration was absolutely beautiful to go along with the story.
We loved the rhyming story and learning about narwhals and belugas. The illustration was absolutely beautiful to go along with the story.
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
If I have a favorite whale, it's the Narwhal. Unicorns of the sea.
(Killer Whales are not whales, just saying).
So that's why I picked up this free kindle book.
McGee's book is about Mel the Narwhal who gets lost from his blessing (a group of Narhwals). The theme of the story is to embrace and understand differences. It's not a bad book. The rhymes could be a bit better, but the story is sweet and the illustrations are lovely - cute whales that are correctly dark. I love the use of place names as well. The moral is great.
The drawback is that there is a group of people who could easily flip the meaning of the book. This is not McGee's fault, and I am not saying that McGee is one of these people. It's not the book's fault, it is the time we live in. I can easily see Trump reading this (okay, maybe not the reading bit), to his grandchildren and saying it is about how we all stay in our countries. And that angers me because that is not the point of the story. Again, this is not McGee's fault, think of it as a warning about a review that might misrepresent the book.
Which is a shames because it is a wonderful book about whales (who need the cold water, so), music, and friendship.
If I have a favorite whale, it's the Narwhal. Unicorns of the sea.
(Killer Whales are not whales, just saying).
So that's why I picked up this free kindle book.
McGee's book is about Mel the Narwhal who gets lost from his blessing (a group of Narhwals). The theme of the story is to embrace and understand differences. It's not a bad book. The rhymes could be a bit better, but the story is sweet and the illustrations are lovely - cute whales that are correctly dark. I love the use of place names as well. The moral is great.
The drawback is that there is a group of people who could easily flip the meaning of the book. This is not McGee's fault, and I am not saying that McGee is one of these people. It's not the book's fault, it is the time we live in. I can easily see Trump reading this (okay, maybe not the reading bit), to his grandchildren and saying it is about how we all stay in our countries. And that angers me because that is not the point of the story. Again, this is not McGee's fault, think of it as a warning about a review that might misrepresent the book.
Which is a shames because it is a wonderful book about whales (who need the cold water, so), music, and friendship.
trisarey's review against another edition
5.0
A cute little story about an adventuresome narwhal named Mel who gets lost on one of his solo journeys. While searching for his home, Mel discovers and befriends with Penny and her pod of beluga whales along the way. Although he no longer feels as lonesome, Mel can't help noticing how different he is from his new companions, making him feel a world apart from them. Will he ever feel at home with his new friends? And will he ever find his home and his old friends?
The illustrations are adorable and full of color and character all on their own. The poetic storytelling is delightful as always and brought back feelings of nostalgia. This lovely celebration of diversity helps reassure readers, young and old, that being similar to and different from those around us is not only fine but expected, natural. And should not be a cause for distress. It also demonstrates that friends don't have to be a part of our everyday lives or nearby to stay friends. That family can be found in the most unexpected places. And that, rather than hide or rid ourselves of our differences, we should share them with one another, with love and patience, for the benefit of all.
The illustrations are adorable and full of color and character all on their own. The poetic storytelling is delightful as always and brought back feelings of nostalgia. This lovely celebration of diversity helps reassure readers, young and old, that being similar to and different from those around us is not only fine but expected, natural. And should not be a cause for distress. It also demonstrates that friends don't have to be a part of our everyday lives or nearby to stay friends. That family can be found in the most unexpected places. And that, rather than hide or rid ourselves of our differences, we should share them with one another, with love and patience, for the benefit of all.
mackenzievirginia's review against another edition
3.0
Cute illustrations and a cute story that would probably have benefited from a non-rhyming structure.
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