The Whale Who Swam Through Time: A 200-Year Journey in the Arctic

Boersma and Pyenson’s debut picture book, a reverent fictional tale of a bowhead whale, spans two centuries, centering the world’s longest-living mammal while focusing attention on environmental changes that threaten it and other species. Checking in with the bowhead as a calf—and then again in 50-year increments—the narrative details human impacts on the Arctic habitat, such as whaling ships and plastics pollution. Watercolor, gouache, and ink illustrations begin with the young whale in tranquil frozen seascapes before depicting discomfiting scenes of global warming and industrialization, including submarines, oil rigs, and ships. In a striking penultimate scene, the bowhead’s progeny seemingly swim upward into a night sky, their constellation-like appearance perhaps hinting at an unclear future for the creatures, before end lines conclude with hope: “Bowhead whales are used to swimming through uncertain waters.” Back matter includes an authors’ note, scientific facts, and notes about other Arctic creatures. Ages 4–8. (May)