TRAPPED!

                         A WHALE'S RESCUE

Author: Robert Burleigh 

Illustrator: Wendell Minor 

Date Published: 2015 

About the book: The book is based on an actual event. On December 11, 2005, fishermen off the California coast near San Francisco spotted a large humpback whale struggling to free itself from a network of strong ropes and nets. They radioed it into the local marine -mammal center. Rescuers, including divers and whale experts, worked for over an hour cutting more than 20 ropes measuring over 200 feet each off the whale. After being freed, the whale circled the rescuers gently touching each one.  

Summary: A female humpback whale migrating south along the California coast becomes tangled in forgotten fish nets and ropes, hidden in the water. The whale feels the tickle of the thread as she struggles to free herself. However, the ropes twist more tightly around her body, digging into her skin. The whale fights to free herself until she is too tired to continue. She is then rescued and set free by rescuers. 

Genre:  The genre of this book is non-fiction. "Non-fiction books are informational sources that explains a subject." (Galda, Cullinan, & Sipe. 2010, p.18)  This book teaches children about whales and whale rescue in deep detail. The book also provide fun facts about whales and websites that children can explore to learn more about whales. 

Illustration: 

  

The technique the illustrator used to create his art work is painting. The mediums are gouache on Strathmore 500 series Bristol paper. The breathtaking illustration shows the magnificence of the humpback whale in the blue undersea world and the amazing efforts of humans who are a fraction of her size, working hard to free her from the 200 feet ropes. The illustration is so vivid that one feels as if they are seeing the rescue personally. The contrasting colors makes the illustrations jumps off the pages at you and complements the text beautifully. Well done Mr. Minor. 

Motivational Activity:

Activity 1-                                                          Art

• After reading the story, students will create a poster raising awareness about the topic. These posters will be published throughout the school with permission of administrators.  This can also be a contest with the winner posting their poster at the marine wildlife center. 

Activity 2 -                                                 General Discussion 

• After reading the story, teacher and students will have a general discussion. Some of the questions that will be asked are; 

1. What animal was in the story?
2. What happened to the Animal?
3. Where was the animal when it got tangled?
4. Who called for the whale to be rescued?
5. What kind of whale is it? 
6. Do you know any other types of whales?
7. What did the whale do when she was freed?
8. How long were the ropes?
9. What do you think would have happened to the whale if she was not rescued?
10. Who rescued the whale? How?

Personal Opinion: There are plenty of reasons I like this book. It has extra resources at the back in the form of websites where children can read, listen, watch videos, and do interactive activities about marine life. The book is beautifully illustrated and easy to read.  I think children will love this book as it takes a serious problem and break it down to where they can understand it. I would recommend this book to everyone.  

Other books by the Author:

• Messenger! Messenger! 

• Langston's Train Ride. 

• Flight: The Journey of Charles Lindbergh.

•  Night Flight: Amelia Earhart Crosses the Atlantic

References: 


Burleigh, R., & Minor, W. (2015). Trapped!: A whale's rescue. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge.

Galda, L., Cullinan, B. E., & Sipe, L. R. (2010). Literature and the child (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning.