Billy Twitters and his Blue Whale Problem written by Mac Barnett and Illustrated by Adam Rex

I absolutely love this book. I knew I was in a treat when the picture on the cover continued on to the back. I also got excited with all of the cool black and white images. The story began before the publishing information and then had black and white images at the end. I absolutely loved the story line and found the book very engaging.

The illustrations were exquisite. Each character was unique and the backgrounds were filled with details. They most definitely added to the story. Every once and awhile there would be a page or two where there would only be illustrations before the text began again. You could read the book without the text and it would still be a story. The illustrations were also educational. When the text discussed the sixe of the whale then the whale was drawn with a car and a man beside it so that it could be compared in size. Later on in the book the illustration also compares the whale to a pool, these images will help students really grasp how big a blue whale actually is. This is especially helpful for visual learners although everyone will gain something.

Barette kept the story the focus however he riddles the text with interesting facts and details. Text is displayed as in most picture books paragraph form. It is also displayed in thought bubbles. This adds to the story making it more enjoyable for the reader and allows the student to really get into the character. The text and illustrations work so well together you might thing that the author and illustrator were the same person.

I would use this book as a free read or to be read aloud. It lends itself to some drama and as an information book. It also is very student friendly. I think students who may not enjoy reading will enjoy this book. I will use it in a text set about whales and could be used as a comparison book. I recommend this book to teachers.

Published: 2009