Children's books
The snail and the humpback whale
German, Mirjam Pressler, Julia Donaldson, Axel Scheffler, 2017
Forget the Grüffelo! "The Snail and the Humpback Whale" is the better book
Are you looking for a great picture book for your children? I recommend "The Snail and the Humpback Whale". The book teaches children empathy and justice without moralising.
Surely you know "The Gruffalo" by the British author Julia Donaldson. Published in 1999, the book has been translated into several languages and is now a true classic. But Donaldson and Grüffelo illustrator have more book projects together and one of them is "The Snail and the Humpback Whale", published in 2007.
What's it all about?
The snail is terribly bored. She would love to explore the world, but she doesn't have the right vehicle. One day, she meets the humpback whale, who offers to take her on a journey through the sea on his back. On his fin, the little snail explores the world, sees landscapes, boats, strange animals and experiences different weather. But at some point, the whale gets stranded in the sand - the engine noises of the boats have made him disorientated - and the snail has to get help to help his friend.
In short: it's about friendship, wanderlust and helping each other.
Source: Anne Fischer
The story is told in rhyme. It's fun to look at the drawings by world-famous children's book illustrator Axel Scheffler while reading it aloud: They are childlike, but neither cheesy nor inaccurate.
What I particularly like about the book: I can tell my children (2 and 4) a beautiful, loving story and at the same time educate them about what is happening to the world's oceans. That the stranding of whales is not a fantasy and that it actually happens. If I want to. If I don't feel like it, I simply read them an exciting story without thinking about educating them about real dangers for animals. Because it's exciting and thrilling every time: everything the little snail gets to see on its long journey and the highly dramatic rescue that this little creature so cleverly arranges.
Which book by Julia Donaldson do your children love? Let me know in the comments.
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A true local journalist with a secret soft spot for German pop music. Mum of two boys, a dog and about 400 toy cars in all shapes and colours. I always enjoy travelling, reading and go to concerts, too.
