A Whale's Tale [Paperback]

Daniel S. Janik (Author), Ruth R. Janik (Illustrator)

Book Description

The adventures of a juvenile humpback whale on his way from Hawaii to Alaska as told by his childhood sweetheart. "A Whale's Tale" is written for adults to read aloud to children, or children to adults to read and enjoy. Lavishly illustrated in black and white for reader coloring opportunities.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Author, naturalist, artist and photographer Daniel S. Janik is a former resident of Alaska currently residing in Honolulu, Hawaii, with his wife, Setsuko Tsuchiya. Together they welcome the Humpback whales back to Hawaii every year around Christmas sending them off with fond Aloha in mid-April. Ruth R. Janik, after having traveled about a bit, settled in a quiet part of the USA near family and friends to pursue her artistic endeavors.

Product Details

• Paperback: 90 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace (July 22, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1442105062
• ISBN-13: 978-1442105065
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,903,010 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Daniel S. Janik is a physician-educator-author-naturalist and owner of Savant Books and Publications (http://www.savantbooksandpublications.com). He has authored numerous books in a wide variety of genre's under a variety of pen names. He lives in beautiful Honolulu, Hawaii, USA with his lovely wife Setsuko Tsuchiya.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Whale of a Tale for Children AND Adults, August 9, 2009

By 

Roger Sharpquill (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Whale's Tale (Paperback)

It was the cover that caught my attention. It took me a moment to realize that the front and back covers were original water color paintings, and then, my curiosity piqued, once inside I quickly got swept up into Janik's imaginative story. About half way through I suddenly realized there was a delightful twist to this one: it was being told by the whale's childhood sweetheart.

I ended up reading it cover-to-cover, standing between bookshelves in the bookstore, and was deeply impressed that not only was the story immersive and engaging, but there was no violence! None. I smiled, recalling a co-critic of mine saying, "What's a book nowadays without sex or violence?" Here in my hand was the answer! Done right, it's a book like this one that sweeps the reader along on a personal voyage of discovery.

I bought it, took it home and read it that night to the toughest children's book critics I know: my own children. I'm pleased to say that they wholeheartedly agree with everything I've said. In fact, after several more readings over next few nights, I noticed them painstakingly painting the "Color-Me-Please" illustrations (even my teenage daughter got into it). Last night I caught my youngest turning the pages, reading the book aloud to no one in particular, embellishing it as he read with his own parental comments and imaginative ideas.

In summery, this is a good book: It's nothing short of magically mesmerizing. What's more, after reading and hearing the story now numerous times, it still seems fresh and satisfying.

I wholeheartedly recommend this one for all audiences. Everyone should have the pleasure of reading, enjoying and sharing this book with someone they love. I know. That's exactly what I'm doing in writing review!

5.0 out of 5 stars This was a charming, soothing tale that weaves in several interesting facts about the Pacific humpback!, October 12, 2009

By 

D. Fowler "Dragonfly77" (Vermont) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Whale's Tale (Paperback)

He was a Pacific humpback whale and his mother gently nudged him to the ocean surface, or "Big Top," immediately after he was born. It took ten long minutes to get there and when he surfaced he "blew out with force and sucked in a big, big breath." He was a December baby and would stay close to his mother for quite a while nuzzling up to drink her milk. Several weeks later he began to notice other creatures around them, perhaps the most fascinating were other whales he could see in the distance. As he slowly became more independent "he could swim up to the Big Top whenever he wanted and return to the safety of the sea below without harm." He and his mother began to swim away from his birthplace and her song began to mellow and change.

It was time for him to change as well. His mother was weaning him and he began to feel restless. Some of the whales began to feel irritable and others, like the small Pacific humpback, were also becoming restless. They were getting ready to migrate and follow the route and sing the song as their ancestors had done. The humpbacks began to move and connect with one another. They would leave Hawaii and head to Alaska. The mother and child were soon joined by others . . . then more and more joined formed a larger pod. They began to sing together, "each adding something to the haunting Song." The larger whales created "bubble tunnels" so they could all feed. This was an amazing journey and things were changing, but what would happen to them along the way?

This was a charming, soothing tale that wove in several facts about the Pacific humpback. It was told in a storybook format that made it easy to read. The book has a nice poetic lilt to the text and carries the reader through the book in a dreamlike aura. I felt like I too was going on the journey to Alaska and was quite interested in the changes the little whale was feeling and seeing. There are several line drawings of ocean creatures, including a mermaid, scattered throughout the book that your youngster can add a bit of color to if he or she chooses. There are additional recommended internet resources listed. If you are a whale lover, you probably will enjoy this different, but very interesting and magical tale of a young Pacific humpback!

5.0 out of 5 stars Purely fun and delightful!, October 4, 2009

By 

Mary E. Janik (Soldotna, AK USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Whale's Tale (Paperback)

It's not often that I get to read a book that keeps me smiling from the first to last page. This was such a book. The author's style was friendly and inclusive to readers of any age, and the whimsical illustrations made me want to go out and buy a box of crayons. (I'm 54 years old!) As entertaining as it was, there was also a gentle yet powerful message to our next generation that our world is desperately in need of keepers and maintainers of our oceanic wonders that we of this generation have been so blessed to experience. May all who read this book become our hope for the future and accept the torch the author and illustrator are passing on. Way to go, Bro and Mom (and I am NOT biased in the least!). Mary Janik, sister, daughter, and big-time fan! I love you both!