Any picture book that manages to squeeze in the word ‘nincompoop’ has my attention. Isn’t it such a great sounding word?!
Mr Miniscule and the Whale is actually an old Polish children’s classic, brought to life so more of us can enjoy it …
Mr Miniscule may be small (you get that from his name right?) but he has BIG plans. He wants to see a whale. Thankfully he can fit quite a myriad of things into his walnut shell boat before he sets off on his long adventure, although not before checking at the port … ‘Is there space on the sea for one more?’ (love that!)
Told in verse, this delightful tale is brimming with a host of imaginative touches like that … who wouldn’t want to board the ‘butterfly plane’?
As in all great picture books, grand adventures don’t always go to plan. Let’s just say the island Mr Miniscule eventually discovers isn’t all that it seems …
Butenko’s illustrations blend wonderfully with the verse styled narrative. They lend a wonderfully vintage feel to the picture book. A prevalence of blue hues emphasises the ocean theme, interrupted just occasionally with bursts of vibrant yellow.
With several verses on each page, this is a picture book that will delight older listeners for sure! Have fun.
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