A Symphony of Whales [Hardcover]

Steve Schuch (Author), Peter Sylvada (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 4, 1999 | Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

Glashka is the only one in her village who can hear the voice of Narna, the whale. That gift leads her to great responsibility one day, when she discovers thousands of whales trapped in an inlet. The narrow route to the sea is rapidly icing over, and every day ice covers more of the open water the whales need to breathe. There seems to be no way out. . . . This story, based on an actual event, tells of a dramatic rescue--a tale of bravery and faith and the power of music.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

During the winter of 1984-1985, nearly 3,000 beluga whales were trapped in the Senyavina Strait of Siberia--and saved by the bravery and persistence of villagers and the crew of a passing icebreaker. Schuch, a musician, turns this episode into a picture book by casting a child as heroine. Glashka has always been able to hear music in her head, and the "old ones" of the village tell her she hears "the voice of Narna, the whale. Long has she been a friend to our people." Glashka uses this talent to find the trapped whales and then to discover the secret of saving them. The plotting and diction are a little trumped-up, but on balance the text is tender and moving, and debut illustrator Sylvada's heavy oil paintings readily transport readers to the bitter winter days of Siberia. Emphasizing the changing light and the textures of characters' clothing instead of individual expressions, the illustrations cast a mood that reinforces the sober issues of the text. Ages 6-10. (Nov.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Grade 2-5-During the bitter winter of 1984-85, the people of the Chukchi Peninsula and the crew of the Russian icebreaker Moskva labored to save thousands of beluga whales trapped by encroaching ice in the Siberian Senyavina Strait. Schuch has taken this event and fleshed it out to include young Glashka, who can hear the voices of these animals in her visionary dreams. As the fearful creatures crowd away from the ship and its fractured path to freedom, it is Glashka who urges the crew to add human music to the whale calls they are broadcasting to reassure and entice the belugas, and to try again as folk music and rock and roll fail. Finally, a classical symphony for strings sounds a chorus that the animals join in, and singing, they follow the huge icebreaker out to the open sea. This fictionalized account is enriched by soft-edged oils in winter tones, picturing the laboring Chukchis, the white whales, the dark bulk of the Moskva, and the small determinedness that is Glashka. Team this inspiring work with Giles Whittell's more factual The Story of Three Whales (Gareth Stevens, 1988; o.p.), Dyan Sheldon's lyrical The Whales' Song (Dial, 1991), and Frances Weller's moving I Wonder If I'll See a Whale (Paperstar, 1998) and you'll have kids clamoring to go whale watching.
Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books (October 4, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152016708
• ISBN-13: 978-0152016708
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,737,348 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is almost too good a book for kids...., April 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: A Symphony of Whales (Hardcover)

Heard about this book on NPR and bought it for nephew cos I liked the idea and the story. What wasn't clearly told was just how incredibly rich Peter Sylvada's illustrations are... all oil paintings... they capture the beauty and harsh environment of Alaska, as well as slices of life from a native Alaskan village. Even southern dwellers can see some of why those who love it do so. The story is clearly and simply told, with a very likeable heroine, and gave me shivers at the end... but it was really the illustrations that blew me away.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Surprising, June 1, 2005

By 

Brian A. Jewell (Anchorage, AK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Symphony of Whales (Hardcover)

Although technically a children's book, "A Symphony of Whales" shook me up and blew me away with rich illustrations and an even more potent story. Sweet and simple, author Schuch tells the beautiful story of an Inuit girl and her whale spirit friend "Narna" -- and (not to give away the ending) the dramatic escape of three thousand whales trapped in an icy inlet of the Pacific ocean.

Not to be cute, but the book really is as much for adults as for children. Illustrator Peter Sylvada's pictures must literally be seen to be believed.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Book on Community and Relationships, March 18, 2006

By 

A. Zingelmann - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Symphony of Whales (Hardcover)

I purchased this book (among many on here) for my unit on whales and the Inuit (Eskimo) people for my first grade class. This was a great book to share the relationship the people have with whales. It also shared a wonderful way the communities work together as well. What a great book! If you like whales, this is a great one to read to children!