Dear Professor Whale

August 15, 2018
Building upon Yours Sincerely, Giraffe (2017), Professor Whale organizes an Olympics.Author Iwasa sets her story at Whale Point, with Professor Whale as the protagonist (although now he is retired, he would really like to be called the more casual "Whaley" or "Big Blue"). When Professor Whale sends out many letters via Seal in his attempt to follow Giraffe's lead from the first book and discover new animals in the world, his only answer is from Wally, a young whale who lives at Otto Island--a disappointment, as Professor Whale was expecting a letter from an animal he wouldn't normally meet. Turns out, though, Wally is the grandson of an old friend of Professor Whale's who moved away in the big migration. Wally mentions an Olympics held long ago at Whale Point, at which his grandfather won a silver medal, and Professor Whale is inspired to organize another one. This part is delightfully silly, since the events are: a seal swimming race, a penguin walking race, and a whale spouting contest. Overall, though, the story labors to sparkle, mostly because it's so predictable--even many of Takabatake's black-and-white spot illustrations lack pizzazz. The story's theme of friendship plays out in regular helpings of goodness on the parts of the characters, and while kindness and friendship are wonderful things, a bit of spice is nice too. Not nearly as fresh as Yours Sincerely, Giraffe but not a total bust, either. (Fantasy. 6-10)

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September 1, 2018

Gr 1-3-Professor Whale has retired from teaching and lives alone in the north. The color blue makes him happy, as does imagining himself with wings. But he's lonely, so he sends letters around the world through the "delivery seal," hoping for a fun pen pal. To his delight, he receives a letter from the grandson of an old friend. Soon after, the arrival of some visitors inspires him to revive the Whale Olympics. Together, he and his friends convince whales, seals, and penguins to compete in good fun. This delightful early chapter book makes for some smile-inducing reading. The black-and-white line drawings add a pleasant touch. VERDICT An ode to the joys of friendship and letter-writing, this is a great choice for early chapter book readers.-Heidi Grange, Summit Elementary School, Smithfield, UT

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2018
Grades 1-3 Professor Whale has fond memories of the friendship between Giraffe and Penguin, which began as a simple letter exchange in Yours Sincerely, Giraffe? (2017). Feeling lonely, he decides to follow their example and write a lot of letters, hoping to get at least one pen pal. Soon two responses arrive: Pelican (the airmail delivery bird) brings one from his former student Penguin, and Seal (the regular mail delivery mammal) brings one from Wally, a young whale at Otto Island, who wants to learn about his grandfather who once lived at Whale Point. His query leads to Professor Whale's reminiscing about his old friends, and he invites them to a Whale Point reunion. They have so much fun remembering their Olympic Games, they decide to hold another and invite the whales, penguins, seals, and pelicans to participate; they even invite Giraffe as their special guest. Takabatake again contributes childlike black-ink drawings that amplify the gentle, heartwarming nature of this beginning chapter book about friendship and how kindness reigns over winning.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2019
In this friendship story from Japan, Professor Whale exchanges letters with young Wally, the grandson of a beloved fellow whale. Reminiscing about the good old days prompts the professor to resurrect the Whale Point Olympics, inviting far-flung friends (including Penguin and Giraffe from Yours Sincerely, Giraffe) to return for the fun and games. Humorous black-and-white line drawings add humor and warmth.

(Copyright 2019 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)