Sheryl McFarlane

This book reminds me of home. I grew up in Puget Sound picking berries, swimming in the sea, and coming the beaches. I was also sent to grandmothers many summers. But I am an adult, and while this book is like a trip down memory lane, it's not one I would pick up to read at storytime. It’s a little long, and a bit boring. And while nostalgia is great for me, for a larger audience, I’m not sure it will pay as strongly.

A girl welcomes the rain, celebrating what it gives us, including the usual plants and rivers, but also less obvious boons such as water for the bathtub and Mom's tea. As the year progresses, rain is more and less welcomed - less needed at the beginning of summer when there are sprinklers and wading pools, nor as welcome when thunder booms and scares her and her pet. But when rain is gone for too long, making the grass brown and too itchy to play in, rain is welcomed back. The text is direct show more and thoughtful, and the illustrations, with interesting textures and patterns woven into the natural landscapes, and raindrop patterns in sometimes unexpected places, delight. show less

Lightburn’s beautiful artwork conveys the simple yet honest themes of loneliness and contentment, love and loss, which McFarlane uses to tell this calm and moving story of a lonely old man with little to look forward to except the yearly summer appearance of orca whales. That is until his daughter and granddaughter enter his life. The old man shares not only his routines in the garden and the forest with his granddaughter, but most importantly his love for the orca whales. When the old man show more passes away, the granddaughter and her mother take comfort in anticipating the summer appearance of the orca whales with who they believe the old man’s spirit rests. As a story that address the death of a loved one McFarlane and Lightburn’s tale is warm and moving, but the realism of loss is obscured by the emphasis placed on the orca whales as symbol for the old man’s rebirth. Waiting for the Whales can be enjoyed by children age four to seven. show less

This sweet picture book features letters from one cousin to another. Thomas writes from the big city, saying how sad and bored Jessie must be living on an island away from all the fun things that he gets to see and do. Most of the book is Jessie's response, talking about all the wonderful things she can see and do on her Pacific Northwest island. While the book is Canadian, this is a lovely read for anyone who loves being on the beach or in the water in the Puget Sound area (or anyone who show more wants to know what spending time in the San Juans or similar areas is really like). You'll definitely want to go whale watching or tide pool walking after reading this! show less