{"id":772,"date":"2021-04-08T18:05:10","date_gmt":"2021-04-08T08:05:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.readingopensdoors.com.au\/?p=772"},"modified":"2021-04-08T18:05:11","modified_gmt":"2021-04-08T08:05:11","slug":"the-tale-of-the-whale-new-release-picture-book-from-university-of-queensland-press-uqp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.readingopensdoors.com.au\/?p=772","title":{"rendered":"The Tale of the Whale – New Release Picture Book from University of Queensland Press (UQP)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Title<\/strong>: The Tale of the Whale<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Author<\/strong>: Karen Swann<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Illustrator<\/strong>: Padmacandra<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Publisher<\/strong>: University of Queensland Press – UQP<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Publication date<\/strong>: May 4, 2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Themes<\/strong>: climate, plastic pollution, sea life, friendship, making a difference and lyrical verse<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additional notable information<\/strong>: Teachers’ Notes<\/a> can be downloaded from the UQP website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Tale of the Whale is a stunning literary and visual masterpiece by Karen Swann and illustrated by Padmacandra. Right from the moment the cover is opened the story begins on the endpapers. The title page is a visual treat as it is difficult not to be drawn to the illustration featuring a headland that resembles a whale in both colour and shape. This mesmerising, creative title page demands attention as it is filled with details that give clues about the setting of the story and highlights the different ways the local population interact with the ocean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The gentle, lyrical narrative tells the story of a young child\u2019s adventures with a whale and the beautiful connection they share as they explore the glorious depths of the ocean in all its colourful majesty. Their adventures are filled with awe as they behold the astonishing beauty to be found in the sea. Their travels result in the whale gaining a large appetite, so the whale opens its mouth and ingests \u201cthe soup of the ocean\u201d, which is a stark contrast to the stunning vibrant colour and wonder that the child and whale had the privilege of experiencing together. Instead, this ocean soup is made up of the vulgar plastic waste that humans discard and ends up in the ocean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The story highlights in a powerful and non-didactic way, the devastating impact the ocean soup has on the ocean life. The poetic, accessible narrative together with the multi-layered illustrations highlight the plight of several different animals, namely \u201ca turtle in trouble, a gull in distress, a tightening collar, a shopping bag mess\u201d. This plastic pollution awakens the child in the story to the effects of waste in the ocean and how it adversely affects the creatures who call the ocean their home. After being affected by these sights, the child is inspired and empowered to make a difference. The child, impassioned by their experiences, uses their voice to become an activist and encourage others in the community to change the situation. The child educates the community so the animals do not have a diet of plastic soup and the ocean can be a healthy environment for all animal and plant life that inhabit it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

This story lends itself to<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n