WHALES PASSING

From a seaside cliff, a boy and his father observe killer whales in Bunting’s poetic ode. “They’re orcas, every one,” the boy’s father explains when they spot five animals frolicking in the distance. “They may have come from colder seas / where icebergs float and break. / Icebergs, blue-white and polished by the sun.” Davis’s realistic illustrations show father and son up-close. He switches perspective in the next spread, zooming in on the whales spraying misty fountains from their blow holes; back on the grassy ledge, the humans are rendered small. The boy’s questions spark discussion and Bunting embeds plenty of information in her verse, especially when she flips points of view, allowing the whales themselves to tell part of the story. For unadulterated information, and an in-depth explanation of concepts touched upon in the text, readers will want to head straight for Bunting’s backmatter. The real draw here, however, is Davis’s true-to-life depiction of these magnificent creatures and the sea they inhabit, making this a satisfying introduction to ocean life and a good starting point for further research. (Picture book. 4-8)