It's not over 'til the little whale sings (Little Whale's Song - Fran Evans)

Member Name: allybally

Product:	Little Whale's Song - Fran Evans
Date:	22/04/07 (81 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: sweet and short for short attention spans

Disadvantages: None really

Author/Illustrator: Fran Evans
Published by: Piccadilly Press
Published in 2003
Available in: Hardback or Paperback
Hardback RRP: £9.99
Paperback RRP: £5.99
Age Suitability: 2-4years
Length: 32 pages

Synopsis
A little Whale gets separated from his family when he is too busy playing with a school of fish to notice them leaving and he finds himself sad and all alone. Being a Whale, he decides to try to contact his parents through Whale song, but when he tries to sing, he can't remember how. He meets a number of sea-dwelling creatures as he tries to get back to his family including an Octopus, a Seal a Turtle and a Lobster but none of them can teach him how to sing because the sounds they make aren't the same. It is only when he comes across the wise old Mantee that he finds someone who can help....

About the Author/Illustrator
Fran Evans was born and raised in Wales and earned her BA in Graphic design. She has obviously drawn on her own experiences to write and illustrate this beautiful book - She was once a research assistant for Whale Watching in Australia. Fran's was first published in 1999 and since then she has gone on to write two Fairy Hill books - The Summer Ball and Butterfly Fairy's Secret as well as The Little Whale Song.

Book Layout and Design
This book has lovely illustrations and the real reason to buy it. As the story is obviously based under water, Fran has used rich sea greens and blues to illustrate her story which seem to come to life as you turn each page. There is a real soft watery feel to them which as a novice is hard to explain. The illustrations are simple and the characters are lovable and warm looking creatures which any child would fall in love with.
The Text is limited to two or three lines per page which is just about perfect for young children with short attention spans. It also avoids detracting from the beautiful illustrations.

Story
The story is lovely gentle one which doesn't preach to kids in the way many children's books do. There isn't really a strong moral to the story but it does leave you with a good feeling and is a good example of why it is good to help others and be kind to those around you. A simple story told in simple and easily read text. No fancy rhymes are used but they aren't really needed. Some days, I don't read the story at all and focus on talking my son through the pictures on each page instead. He loves to do this and is quick to jump in with his input.

Conclusion
This is a lovely book for any child between the ages of 2-4 (may stretch to 5 in some cases). Don't buy it for the story though, buy it to enjoy getting lost in the under the sea world Fran Evans has created for the reader to get carried away in.

Summary: A lovely picture book abot a whale trying to find his voice