This book is filled with facts about the blue whale and has beautiful illustrations to help children visualize features of the blue whale. I thought this book was informative and included information that children would be interested in. I could see a child using this for a report or project. ( )

This kid friendly book, gives awesome/ powerful facts about Blue Whales. Readers learn about the size of blue whales in a way that gives perspective and they learn other facts like what they eat. The text is supported with intriguing/ fun pictures. ( )

Using entertaining and informative comparisons - the blue whale's heart is the size of a small car, it weighs as much as fifty-five hippopotami, and can fit up to fifty people in its massive mouth - author/artist Jenni Desmond spins an engrossing and educational 'story' in The Blue Whale. Much like Jason Chin, an American author/artist who often uses fictional framing devices in his picture-books, in order to introduce non-fictional information, this talented British picture-book creator begins her book with a young boy reading about blue whales, and presents her subsequent facts in a kid-friendly way. The result is a title that is every bit as fun as it is educational.

As a huge admirer of Jason Chin, mentioned above - my favorites of his are his debut, Redwoods, and his most recent, Grand Canyon - the fact that Desmond's book reminded me so strongly of his work is a huge point in its favor. I really enjoy picture-books that find a way to make non-fiction interesting and entertaining for young readers and listeners, and Desmond definitely does that here. The artwork in The Blue Whale is just as appealing as the text, with adept use of colorful and quirky figures and objects combined in amusing ways. The pile of hippos, on the page where the text is discussing the blue whale's weight, was particularly droll. Recommended to anyone looking for engaging works of natural history and non-fiction for the picture-book set. For my part, I now intend to track down Desmond's The Polar Bear! ( )

The illustrations in this children's book are awesome and the accompanying text is really informative, although I could see needing to define terms and discuss it further if you're reading with actual children instead of, say, your dog. Not that I'd know.. ( )

Did you know that a blue whale weighs as much as 55 hippos, that 50 people can fit in its mouth, but that its eyes are only six inches wide? If you didn't, The Blue Whale will set you straight, and if you did then this is your dream book. A wonderful picture book about the world's largest animal, it has everything you ever wanted to know about blue whales and maybe some things you didn't. But the facts never overwhelm the reader or the whales, because you're having too much fun. Where else could you learn that blue whale poop is orange, or that they can blow air through their blowholes to the height of 9 seven-year-olds? The answer: nowhere.

To top it off, the excellent text is backed up by some remarkable illustrations that help put the facts in perspective. The perfect book for whale-lovers, both young and young-at-heart, it's also a great starting point for getting children excited about biology and natural science. ( )