A Whale on Her Own Edition 1. [Hardcover]

Brian Skerry (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 16, 2000 | Age Level: 8 and up

Photos by Brian Skerry

Can you imagine what it would be like to swim with a whale? Gliding beneath the blue ocean waves. Bobbing gently as a huge, graceful animal pulls you along. It would be truly magical to explore the sea this way! For such a thing to happen, a whale would have to want to be with you. But whales are wild animals. They rarely come face to face with humans. Once in a while, however, the lives of humans and wild animals come together in an unpredictable way. And, when they do, it seems almost like a dream. These treasured moments may seem unreal, but they show us that maybe all animals -- including whales -- can dream, too.

This is the true story of an orphaned beluga whale who decided to make her home in a secluded Nova Scotia bay. While she lived there, she made close contact with the town's people, leaving them with stories and memories they will never forget. A Whale on Her Own is the tale of a wonderful and fascinating animal who is sure to capture the hearts of children and adults alike.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-4-This slim photo-essay recounts the unique relationship between a beluga whale and the humans of Chedabucto Bay, Nova Scotia. Perhaps orphaned, young Wilma (as she came to be called) appeared one day near a large red buoy in the bay. Experienced scuba diver Jim Johnson donned his gear and headed out to see her, initiating a cross-species friendship that lasted several years, delighting local residents and tourists alike. Skerry's simple text and clear, color photos record this unusual relationship that continued until the spring Wilma disappeared into the open ocean. Such tales of unusual associations between people and wild creatures have an emotional impact on children and this pleasant book is likely to evoke a similar response. Team it with Wayne Grover's amazing Dolphin Adventure (Greenwillow, 1990) and Martin Jacka's enjoyable Waiting for Billy (Orchard, 1991; o.p.), or Steve Schuch's factually based fictional tale A Symphony of Whales (Harcourt, 1999).
Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Blackbirch Press; 1 edition (February 16, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1567114318
• ISBN-13: 978-1567114317
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,596,626 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Brian Skerry is a photojournalist specializing in marine wildlife and underwater environments. Since 1998 he has been a contract photographer for National Geographic Magazine covering a wide range of subjects and stories.

An award-winning photographer, Brian is praised worldwide for his aesthetic sense as well as his journalistic drive for relevance. His uniquely-creative images tell stories that not only celebrate the mystery and beauty of the sea, but also help bring attention to the large number of issues that endanger our oceans and its inhabitants.

Unique within the field of underwater photography is Brian's ability to pursue subjects of great diversity. He typically spends eight months each year in the field and frequently finds himself in environments of extreme contrast from tropical coral reefs to diving beneath polar ice. While on assignment he has lived on the bottom of the sea, spent months aboard fishing boats and traveled in everything from snowmobiles to canoes to the Goodyear Blimp to get the picture. He has spent more than 10,000 hours underwater over the last thirty years.

For National Geographic Magazine, Brian has covered a wide range of stories, from the harp seal's struggle to survive in frozen waters to the alarming decrease in the world's fisheries, both cover stories. Other NGM features have focused on subjects such as the planet's last remaining pristine coral reefs, the plight of the right whale, sharks, marine reserves, sea turtles and squid.

Brian has also worked on assignment for or had images featured in magazines such as Sports Illustrated, US News and World Report, BBC Wildlife, GEO, Smithsonian, Esquire, Audubon, Men's Journal and in countless publications worldwide.

Brian frequently lectures on photography and conservation issues having presented at venues such as TED Talks, Harvard University, The National Press Club in Washington, DC and the Royal Geographical Society in London. He is also a regular guest on programs such as NBC's Today Show, CBS's Sunday Morning, and ABC's Good Morning America.

After three decades of exploring the world's oceans, Skerry continues to pursue stories that will increase awareness about the sea. "The oceans are in trouble. There are some serious problems out there that I believe are not clear to many people. My hope is to continually find new ways of creating images and stories that both celebrate the sea yet also highlight environmental problems. Photography can be a powerful instrument for change."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A WHALE ON HER OWN-THE TRUE STORY OF WILMA THE BELUGA WHALE, April 15, 2000

By 

Mrs. Sue Grame (Berea, OH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Whale on Her Own Edition 1. (Hardcover)

A WHALE ON HER OWN is a charming story of a young beluga whale who decided to make Chedabucto Bay her home for a while. Jim Johnson, an old time sea traveller and scuba diver got to be friends with Wilma and explained alot about beluga whales and their habits while describing their adventures together. Although told in a story format, the book is quite informative with definitions of terms at the end along with book listings and websites to pursue if this book has piqued your interest. Brian Skerry has done an absolutely striking job with the photography. It really makes this more than a good story and more than a way for young people to learn about beluga whales. It makes this book an exceptional treasure for library, classroom or personal collection.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A FINE WHALE OF A TALE FOR CHILDREN, November 11, 2005

By 

Capt. Lou Costello "Capt. Lou" (Asia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: A Whale on Her Own Edition 1. (Hardcover)

Internationally acclaimed photographer and diver Brian Skerry does an outstanding job with this fine book for children. If you have children and love the sea I highly recommend this most worthy effort. This book is filled with Mr. Skerry's excellent underwater photographs. These pictures illustrate a fine and entertaining story line that every child (and adult) will enjoy. If you love the sea and the creatures in it this pleasing work is a must have for your bookshelf. The Wreck Hunters: Dive to the Wreck of the USS Bass

4.0 out of 5 stars A memorable true story, February 23, 2007

By 

CMA "CMA" (New York State) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Whale on Her Own Edition 1. (Hardcover)

I love reading true stories to my kids. This one is memorable and thought provoking. My kids wanted to know more about belugas and whales in general after reading it. Great photos of the main character, the beluga named Wilma, throughout!