Ages ago I read the book, Charlotte’s Bones: The Beluga Whale in a Farmer’s Field by Erin Rounds. It gave me a look into my state’s history that they just never teach: whales once were in this landlocked state. Then on a work day in August 2026 I “picked up” an online reader called Once a Whale Lived Here: A Journey Through 20,000 Years of Geologic Change by Amy Huntington that gives you more history on the subject as well as general history of the times leading to now. It is due in mid January 2027, but it is never too early to learn about it, or what the subject is all about
Two kids stand in a field. One says that whales used to be in that exact spot. Of course, the other kid is “Dude, this is a field…how can whales have been here?” And the other says, “Oh! Dude! Let me tell you how. It started a long time ago…..” And the facts of glaciers, fresh and salty lakes, rivers, oceans, land changes and more flow out. An afterwards expands on how we learned this fantastic fact. The book itself, however, does not mention a state, allowing it to be an “anyplace” setting and therefore, more relatable to readers. While most ages (in the five and up range) can read/listen, it is not a short or “action filled book” so therefore, it won’t be for all audiences.
The illustrations allow it to have a lighter tone with cartoon elements, because the facts can be dense. The two kids talking also allows a conversational tone, but the facts are right up at the front of it all. The actual images can be busy, but also not necessarily overly detailed, making it an interesting combination. They are a personal like or dislike with little in between. I am not really sure what I feel about them, but I do like them more than not as they do support things as mentioned above.
