Molly and the Whale

This is an amazing tale about working together to help make something wonderful happen. It is a sequel to Molly and the Stormy Sea, and, pleasingly, there are more adventures with Molly in the planning. Molly and Dylan run down to the shore the morning after a storm, hoping to find cowrie shells, or anything little that might have been washed up in the night. But what they find is a whale. An enormous whale. Their father tells them to gather buckets and spades, explaining to the children that they must try to cool the whale. It is low tide, and they must wait hours before the incoming tide might carry her out to sea. Whilst adults dig a trench around the whale to catch the water, a crowd of children fill buckets from the sea and pour them over the whale, in attempts to keep her cool. Molly suggests just pushing her back into the sea, but her father explains she is too heavy, and anyway, they might hurt her. As the morning progresses, great tarpaulins are erected high over her head, as sun shades; Molly sings to her to keep her calm, with the whale’s beady eye clearly watching all this activity. But Molly senses the massive creature is becoming more and more uncomfortable, more and more unhappy, as the heat of the day increases. At last the tide turns, and the children dig a channel from the tide line to the whale, to speed the water’s advance. Once her tummy is resting in the cool, clear water, the whale does a big blubbery shake, as if to say thank you. Hours pass by. The people retreat to the sand dunes to watch. No further movement, apart from the rising of the moon. The father entreats everyone to go home, and says he will keep watch. It is to be full moon that night, so the tide should be at its highest. Molly and Dylan stay with their father all night. As dawn breaks, Molly spots movement. The whale is testing the water’s depth with her tail. The three watch joyfully, in awe and wonder, as slowly the whale turns and heads out to deeper, safer water. They are entranced, watching the whale as she slaps her fluke on the surface of the sea, and sends water spouts high into the air. I have had the amazing experience of whale watching, seeing their enormous size and mastery of the sea, so this story really touched my heart. Malachy Doyle has handled the telling so well, never a word too much, and the illustrator has highlighted the emotions of the people saving the life of such an incredible creature. What a memorable day and night for those on the beach that day. Brilliant, so well created. Highly recommended.