Whalesong: The True Story of the Musician Who Talked to Orcas
by Zachariah Ohora (Author)
A captivating informational picture book about Paul Horn, a musician who communicated with orcas through the power of music. For fans of Shark Lady and Margaret and the Moon.
Unbelievable but true, this is the story of two whales, two Pauls and two boys.
The whales are Haida and Chimo, captive orcas who lived in an aquarium called Sealand of the Pacific in the 1970s.
The Pauls are Paul Horn, a professional flute musician, and Dr. Paul Spong, a scientist studying the orcas in order to learn more about these mystifying creatures.
And the boys are Marlen and Robin, Paul Horn's sons, who are fascinated with the orcas despite their father's fear of the giant whales.
What follows is the spellbinding story of how the Pauls, through the power of music, learn to communicate with the orcas — and set into motion an entire anti-captivity movement dedicated to protecting these intelligent and majestic animals.
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Kirkus
[A] true zoo tale from the 1970s. . . . [A]ffecting.
Publishers Weekly
In a moving tale about "two whales, two boys and two Pauls," Ohora introduces two kids and their flute-playing father, Paul Horn (1930-2014), who bond with a pair of orcas at a Vancouver sea park. The family, who regularly visit the animals' enclosure, encounter researcher Paul Spong (b. 1939) playing music to see whether it's a viable means of communication with the whales. Horn agrees to perform for them, and the cetaceans' pleasure is evident: the flute music "seemed to dissolve all boundaries--of species, air and water." Then Horn goes on tour and the visits are suspended. When the family returns, they're shocked to find that significant changes have occurred--changes for which Horn's music slowly provides a kind of balm. Sweet-tempered, blocky illustrations soften difficult moments in this memorable ode to the power of music and the possibilities of communication--a work that also casts quiet doubt on keeping animals in captivity. Back matter offers further context. Ages 4-8. (Sept.)
Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.
Review quotes
"Sweet-tempered illustrations soften difficult moments in this memorable ode to the power of music and the possibilities of communication—a work that also casts quiet doubt on keeping animals in captivity." —STARRED REVIEW, Publishers Weekly
JUV031040 - Juvenile Fiction | Performing Arts | Music
JUV002170 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Marine Life
