Fiction - Animals - Mammals, Fiction - Animals - Marine Life, Fiction - General & Miscellaneous, Fiction - Schools & Friendship

Dear Mr. Blueberry

Name: Dear Mr. Blueberry
Author: Simon James
ISBN: 9780689807688

by Simon James

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Overview

"Dear Mr. Blueberry, I love whales very much and I think I saw one in my pond today. Please send me some information on whales." It's vacation time, so Emily has to write to her teacher to help when she discovers a blue whale living in her pond. Mr. Blueberry answers that she must be mistaken, because whales live in the ocean, not in ponds.

Throughout the summer, Emily and Mr. Blueberry exchange letters, until Emily has a happy surprise to share with her teacher. In the process, Emily learns a lot about whales. And Mr. Blueberry leans even more about imagination, faith, and love.

A young girl and her teacher correspond about the whale she has discovered in her pond.

Synopsis

Publishers Weekly

An ecologically aware girl is sure she sees a whale in her swimming pond, despite her teacher's missives. Ages 4-7. (June)

About the Author, Simon James

Before entering art college where he specialized in graphics, Simon James held many different jobs, ranging from policeman to farm worker. He lives in Devon, England, now and has been adopted as artist in residence by a local school, where he teaches children, as he puts it, "how to have fun making a mess and expressing something at the same time." His previous book, Sally and the Limpet, features an endearing little girl who learns a subtle lesson about nature and the environment.

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Editorials

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

An ecologically aware girl is sure she sees a whale in her swimming pond, despite her teacher's missives. Ages 4-7. (June)

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1-- It is summer, and Emily discovers that a whale is living in the pond in her yard. Eager to learn more about this amazing animal, she writes a series of letters to her teacher, Mr. Blueberry, asking for information about whales and their habits. The humor of the situation lies in Mr. Blueberry's replies. He sends Emily some details, but he is also quite adamant that whatever is in her pond is not a whale since they live in salt water. Nevertheless, both Emily and readers know that indeed there is a whale in the pond, and the proof is the amusing, full-page watercolor cartoons. Emily shares her letters with the whale, who, after hearing about his species' migratory habits, leaves the pond to return to the ocean. (How he does this is not explained.) At first, Emily is saddened at her loss, but a chance meeting with Arthur on the beach gives her the opportunity to say goodbye. This story is a nice blend of fantasy and reality with a smattering of facts. The large print and simple vocabulary make it appropriate for beginning readers. --Laura Culberg, Harold Washington Library Center, Chicago