WhalesongThe True Story of the Musician Who Talked to Orcas
Review posted January 13, 2025.
Tundra, 2024. 44 pages.
Review written December 30, 2024, from a library book.
Starred Review
This is a picture book version of the true story of how a scientist and a musician discovered that orcas would respond to music played to them.
The story begins in 1971, when the musician and his two kids moved to Vancouver Island in British Columbia and discovered they loved to go to the aquarium there. They noticed a scientist playing music to the orcas and got the idea of the musician, Paul Horn, playing his flute to them. When the orcas responded, everyone was amazed, and the family made a habit of going to the aquarium and playing to the orcas.
But while Paul Horn was away on a trip, one of the orcas died, and the remaining orca was listless and refusing to eat. When Paul came back and played happy music, over time, they were able to coax the bereaved orca to eat again.
It all makes a lovely picture book, with the kids' participation making the story all the more fun. I've always been a fan of Zachariah Ohora's illustrations, and I love the way they illuminate this true tale. He's also got a gift for telling the story simply.
I also like that the scientist involved, Dr. Paul Spong, went on to found an organization that studies orcas in the wild and works to free all captive orcas. I learned that on the last page of the picture book text, with more details for adults in the back matter.
I love that kids who read this book will never question that orcas can communicate - and can even communicate with us.