A little girl and her grandfather spend summer evenings waiting on the shore for the whales to come, and after her grandfather is gone, the little girl waits by herself.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Already the winner of the Canadian National Book Award, this luminous picture book--a first effort for both collaborators--tells the simple story of an old man who lives alone in a house overlooking the sea. His life has assumed a cozy regularity to match the seasons: collecting firewood and clams in wintertime; planting his garden in the spring; and, in summer, watching his beloved orca whales swimming by. When his daughter comes to visit one spring with a new infant, the man has someone with whom to share his love of the natural world--especially the whales. Written in precisely cadenced prose, McFarlane's story about thecycles of life--while not a new theme--is so deftly handled that it becomes genuinely moving. (The old man dies, and his daughter comforts the child: "Don't be sad, sweet girl. Your grandfather's spirit has gone to leap and swim with the whales.") The meticulousness of Lightburn's pastel drawings perfectly complements this gentle scenario--his use of light and shade, for example, proves remarkable. One drawing in particular, of the old man and his granddaughter examining a small branch in the woods, serves as a compelling portrait of intergenerational love that sums up this book's joyous, life-affirming mood. Ages 4-up.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
"This gentle and poignant tale features striking photorealist coloured-pencil artwork." (Canadian Children's Book Centre Classic Canadian Reading )
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
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More About the Author
Sheryl McFarlane gave up sunny Arizona for love and the wild weather of the West Coast more than 30 years ago. She is the author of thirteen books for kids and teens, including the multi-award winning Waiting for the Whales and Jessie's Island. Her most recent book, The Smell of Paint, a young adult novel, follows a track athlete and medal hopeful who faces unexpected hurdles both on and off the track. It was awarded the Moonbeam Award for Young Adult Fiction in the U. S and was a Best Books of the Year pick by the Canadian Children's Book Centre. A mother of three, Sheryl is a teacher and the former Chair of the Victoria Children's Literature Roundtable. Visit her website at www.sherylmcfarlane.ca.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Grandparents are special,
By Debra Green (Eastern Kentucky) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Waiting for the Whales (Paperback)
"Waiting for the Whales" was an inspiring picture story book about the death of a man who was quietly admired by his grand daughter and daughter. His interests and values were honest, respectful and sincere. After his death, they watch at their window overlooking the ocean, for the orcas to return, thinking about his love of the whales and the special bond he had with them.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautifully written and illustrated book about life.,
By A Customer
This review is from: Waiting for the Whales (Paperback)
A special relationship exists between granddaughter and grandfather and the Orca whales are right in the middle. Read this beautiful book with gorgeous illustrations to young and old. I can't read it to my elementary school children without shedding a tear! One of my very very favorite!
4.0 out of 5 stars
Finally found it!,
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Waiting for the Whales (Paperback)
I saw this book one day at the store but I didn't buy it. Then I couldn't stop thinking about it. It was very hard to find just based on what I had remembered. The book is deep and on the sad side even though it's a really special book. I'm not sure how I would give this book as a gift unless you had that specific scenario going on from the book.
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
ONCE, in a cedar-shingled cottage on a bluff by the sea, there lived a lonely old man. Read the first page New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Front Flap | First Pages | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
ONCE, in a cedar-shingled cottage on a bluff by the sea, there lived a lonely old man. Read the first page New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Front Flap | First Pages | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
2
books
cite this book:
- The Bereavement Ministry Program: A Comprehensive Guide for Churches by Jan Nelson on page 70
- Reading Stories for Comprehension Success: Primary Level, Grades 1-3 by Katherine L. Hall on page 250
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