Today is the day! In the World of Whales is available where books are sold. It is always a collective job to craft a picture book, so I’d like to highlight the contributions of the team: author Michelle Cusolito, editors Neal Porter and Taylor Norman at Holiday House, and art director Jennifer Browne. These fine folks brought me a terrific manuscript to work on, caught my every mistake, and saved me from myself on numerous occasions. Without all of their hard work this book would not be a book at all.
I’m proud to share that Whales has now earned four starred reviews, from Kirkus Reviews, Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist and School Library Journal. SLJ in particular was very complimentary of my work, describing the book as a “masterpiece of illustration essential for all collections.” (This humbling praise was countered by another reviewer who thought my art “lacked depth.” I can thank her for reminding me that opinions are as diverse as the human beings who form them, and I should take all reviews, both good and bad, with a grain of salt.)
I hope that you’ll give the book a read and form your own opinion about it, because books are, after all, meant for you, the readers! Feel free to leave a review if you purchase a book. Honest reviews on Amazon and elsewhere help authors and illustrators a lot. And if you are a teacher or librarian I hope you will find it a useful addition to your library, especially when paired with other books that touch on the cetacean life cycle like Life After Whale by Lynn Brunelle and Jason Chin.
The author of In the World of Whales, Michelle Cusolito, has a few upcoming launch events that I’ll share below. Unfortunately I won’t be able to attend these since I’m not located on the East Coast, but if you’re near any of these events I’m sure it’ll be a great time. I can tell you from first hand experience that Michelle is super fun to hang out with. If you go, tell her I said hi!
Author Appearances for In the World of Whales:
June 20, 2025 at 1:00, Falmouth Public Library
June 25, 2025 at 9:30, Titcomb’s Bookshop, Sandwich, MA
June 28, 2025 at 10:00, Book Love in Plymouth, MA
July 21, 2025, at 4:30, Joseph H. Plumb Memorial Library, Rochester
As always if you would like me to sign or personalize a book you can order it from the Boulder Bookstore and leave your signing instructions in the notes when you check out. The staff will let me know that I need to come in. I’m happy to do it and it’s always nice to have an excuse to go hang out in the bookstore!
Happy reading,
Jessica
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