When you make a mistake ― a big mistake, a HUGE mistake ― it can weigh you down or even swallow you whole! As one kid finds herself swept away by her whale of a mistake, she takes readers along on a journey of emotions. When the girl pauses to stare at the night sky, she realizes something important: there are as many mistakes in the world as stars in the sky, and maybe she can handle it after all. As the seemingly huge whale begins to shrink, the girl embraces her mistake and finds her way back to solid ground.
Through clever wordplay which encourages kids to imagine themselves as the nameless protagonist, and atmospheric dreamlike art that captures the internal distress of worry over a mistake, this fantastical story shows that with a little time, perspective, and reflection, you can learn and move on from mistakes, no matter the size.
"Through this metaphor, the text describes the internal distress experienced when looking back on a mistake. Both the narrator and the protagonist — neither named — seem to speak directly to readers, encouraging self-reflection. The absence of pronouns further allows readers to insert themselves into the shoes of the fuzzy-haired protagonist, who sports a simple blue tunic.... A simple story to open a discussion on how to learn from and process mistakes, be they minnow- or whale-sized." — Kirkus Reviews
Recommended Age | 4 - 8 |
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Author | Ioana Hobai |
Illustrator | Ioana Hobai |
ISBN | 1624149278 |
Publication Date | Mar 17, 2020 |
Publisher | Page Street Kids |
Language | English |