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The Fisherman & the Whale

Illustrated by Jessica Lanan

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About The Book

Jessica Lanan’s dreamy and dramatic watercolor paintings bring to life a wordless story about wonder in the natural world.

A fisherman takes his son for a trip out on the water. When they encounter a whale entangled at sea, they realize a connection that transcends the animal kingdom.

About The Author

Photograph by Jonathan Bruneau

Jessica Lanan grew up surrounded by the majesty of the Rocky Mountains and finds inspiration all around her in the natural world. She is the illustrator of several books for children including Out of School and Into Nature: The Anna Comstock Story and The Story I’ll Tell. The Fisherman and the Whale is the first book that she has both written and illustrated. Jessica lives in Boulder, Colorado, with her husband, baby daughter, and three-legged cat. Visit her online at JessicaLanan.com.

About The Illustrator

Photograph by Jonathan Bruneau

Jessica Lanan grew up surrounded by the majesty of the Rocky Mountains and finds inspiration all around her in the natural world. She is the illustrator of several books for children including Out of School and Into Nature: The Anna Comstock Story and The Story I’ll Tell. The Fisherman and the Whale is the first book that she has both written and illustrated. Jessica lives in Boulder, Colorado, with her husband, baby daughter, and three-legged cat. Visit her online at JessicaLanan.com.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (May 14, 2019)
  • Length: 48 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781534415744
  • Grades: P - 3
  • Ages: 4 - 8

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Raves and Reviews

*"This impressive and eloquent tale is recommended for all picture book collections."

– School Library Journal, starred review

*"This wordless picture book, with its breathtaking paintings of the sea, does a splendid job of helping young readers realize that our planet must be shared."

– Shelf Awareness, starred review

"Lanan’s watercolor and gouache paintings are expansive and cinematic…a compelling tale worth sharing.”

– Horn Book Magazine

"Lanan’s cinematic storytelling pace never flags. She distills the global problem of sea life trapped by nets into a tightly focused narrative in which those who caused the damage are able to save the animal they hurt."

– Publishers Weekly

"Lanan's wordless narrative pulls viewers right into the choppy waves of her gouache-and-watercolor world…This compelling fictional introduction raises awareness and empathy for a very real environmental problem.”

– Kirkus Reviews

"Without using a single word, the author beautifully illustrates a rescue story that will resonate with readers who are becoming more aware of the problems humans have created through their environmental carelessness."

– School Library Connection

Awards and Honors

  • Colorado Book Awards Finalist
  • A Baker's Dozen Title (PA)

Resources and Downloads

High Resolution Images