Whales in the City

(Hardback)

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Description

This story spans from pre-colonization to today, so that readers can learn how the industrial revolution, overfishing, and pollution pushed whales out of New York Harbor and the Hudson River by the early 20th Century. But the story doesn't end there. Passionate citizens were able to clean up the harbor through activism and legislation. The first whales were spotted in the Hudson after over 100 years in 2019! Here is a kid-friendly environmental success story chockfull of towering skyscrapers and underwater dramatics that highlights the power of activism and how each of us can make a difference. Also includes backmatter on whales and water pollution around the country.

Reviews

"Citizen activism takes on industrial pollution in the Hudson River and makes way for whales to return to New York Harbor in this historical picture book." --Publishers Weekly

"In Groenink's art, humpbacks arc with sinuous grace through sludgy (later sparkling) waters... A sincere record of an environmental success story." --Kirkus

"Evocative illustrations and easy-to-understand text bring this story of whales living in the Hudson River in New York to life... fascinating and accessible story about whales and the water they live in. Great for a read-aloud, especially for Earth Day." --School Library Journal

"The textured gouache and graphite illustrations often spread across two pages, encompassing both the hugeness of the whales and the city that grows behind them... simultaneously respects the existence of whales entirely out of human context while still making clear the connection between the natural world and the human world." --BCCB

Author Bio

Nancy Castaldo is an environmental educator and award-winning author, who has written books about our planet for over 20 years from New York's Hudson Valley. Her books include The Farm That Feeds Us, The Story of Seeds, and Sniffer Dogs. You can learn more about Nancy Castaldo at nancycastaldo.com. Chuck Groenink is the illustrator of many children's books including Hank's Big Day by Evan Kuhlman and The Library Book by Tom Chapin and Michael Mark. He grew up in the Netherlands, where he spent his formative years climbing trees, drawing, reading, and cycling. He now resides in the United States, going from Portland, Oregon, to Kinderhook, New York where he lives with his wife, dog, three cats, and several rowdy chickens. www.chuckgroenink.com