The Fisherman and The Whale

The Fisherman and The Whale
A Wordless Picture Book

The Fisherman and The Whale is a wordless picture book by Jessica Lanan, published in 2019. This beautifully illustrated book tells the emotional story of a fisherman and his son who encounter a whale entangled in fishing nets while out at sea.

Overview

Format: The book is entirely wordless, relying on stunning watercolor and gouache illustrations to convey its narrative. This format encourages readers to interpret the story through visual cues, making it accessible for various ages and reading levels.
Themes: It explores themes of connection between humans and nature, environmental awareness, and the moral implications of our interactions with wildlife. The narrative culminates in a rescue that highlights the bond shared among all living creatures.

Illustrative Style

Lanan's artwork is noted for its cinematic quality, using a palette dominated by blues, browns, and grays to evoke the ocean's atmosphere. The illustrations effectively capture the tension and emotion of the story, allowing readers to feel the urgency of the whale's plight and the subsequent rescue efforts.

Narrative Structure

The story begins with a father and son on their fishing boat. When they notice the whale caught in their nets, it is the child's observation that prompts the father's courageous action to save the creature. This dynamic emphasizes the role of empathy and awareness in addressing environmental issues. The climax features a dramatic scene where the whale is freed, followed by a serene conclusion that reflects on the beauty of nature and the rewards of altruism.

Reception

The Fisherman and The Whale has received acclaim for its artistic merit and storytelling approach. It was featured in the 2019 Society of Illustrators Original Art Exhibit and was a finalist for the Colorado Book Award in 2020. Additionally, it won the 2020 Bull-Bransom Award, recognizing its contributions to children's literature. Critics have praised its ability to engage young readers emotionally while raising awareness about environmental conservation.

Overall, this wordless picture book serves not only as an engaging story but also as a powerful reminder of our responsibility towards marine life and nature as a whole.

Author: Jessica Lanan

Jessica Lanan is an accomplished American author and illustrator known for her work in children's literature. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Scripps College and was inspired to pursue a career as a professional artist during a transformative year-long trip through Asia. Lanan has illustrated several notable children's books, including Good Fortune in Wrapping Cloth and Finding Narnia: The Story of C. S. Lewis and His Brother, with five of her illustrated works receiving starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews. Her authorial debut, The Fisherman and The Whale, published in 2019, showcases her talent for blending visual storytelling with environmental themes, earning accolades such as the 2020 Bull-Bransom Award for Wildlife Art. Lanan resides in Boulder, Colorado, where she continues to create impactful stories that resonate with young readers and foster empathy for the natural world.

Book Details:

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Format: Paperback
Print length: 48 pages
Dimensions: 25.4 x 1.02 x 27.94 cm
Reading age: 4-8 years old
Publication date: 14 May 2019
ISBN: 978-1534415744

Read alongside these topics:

Tell Me A Story: One

How can the wordless book "The Fisherman and The Whale" help in teaching a Year 1 English "Tell Me A Story" Lesson?

Using the wordless book The Fisherman and The Whale by Jessica Lanan in a Year 1 English "Tell Me A Story" lesson can be highly effective for several reasons:

Visual Storytelling

Engagement through Imagery: The absence of text encourages students to engage with the illustrations, fostering creativity as they interpret the story through their own words. This method promotes active participation, allowing children to narrate their version of the story based on visual cues, which is essential for developing storytelling skills.

Language Development

Vocabulary Building: As students describe the scenes, they naturally expand their vocabulary. Teachers can guide discussions around key themes and elements depicted in the illustrations, introducing new words related to emotions, actions, and environmental concepts. This aligns with language development goals in early education.

Critical Thinking

Encouraging Inference and Prediction: Without explicit text, students must infer what is happening in the story. This process enhances critical thinking skills as they make predictions about the narrative based on visual clues. Teachers can facilitate discussions that prompt students to think about character motivations and potential outcomes.

Environmental Awareness

Theme Integration: The story's themes of nature and conservation provide an excellent opportunity to integrate environmental education into the lesson. Discussions can revolve around the relationship between humans and nature, encouraging students to think about their impact on the environment and how they can contribute positively.

Collaborative Learning

Group Storytelling Activities: Teachers can organize group activities where students work together to create a collective narrative based on the illustrations. This collaboration fosters teamwork and communication skills as they negotiate ideas and share perspectives.

In summary, The Fisherman and The Whale serves as a versatile tool in a Year 1 English lesson by enhancing storytelling abilities, vocabulary development, critical thinking, environmental awareness, and collaborative learning among young students.