Maw Books

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In Billy Twitters and His Blue Whale Problem by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Adam Rex, Billy’s troubles begin when his mom says:  “Billy Twitters, clean up your room, or we’re buying you a blue whale.”  But Billy’s not worried, after all, it’s not like you can just have one delivered to your house overnight.  They are the biggest animals in the world, ever.

But the next morning, there is a blue whale blocking the front door and it’s his responsibility to take him wherever he goes.  So he takes him to school where Mr. Wembley notices and launches into a lecture on blue whales.  His blue whale makes his life difficult on the playground.  At home he has to wash and wax the whale, and check him for barnacles according to The Blue Whale Owner’s Manual.  And let’s not think about trying to feed it.  Billy really doesn’t care much for his blue whale, it is an awful lot of work.  But then things begin to look up when Billy realizes that the blue whale just might be the answer to all of his problems.

I always pay attention  to the end flaps of picture books.  Most admittedly are boring and I love it when extra attention is paid here.  The end flaps are old fashioned ads are funny and each tells a story on their own.    The illustrations by Adam Rex are very entertaining.  I do admit though that Billy Twitters looks very sickly.

Many of the spreads are wordless which just enhances the story while children take on part of the storytelling.  This book is full of whale facts which kids will enjoy but they are seamlessly woven into the story.  The illustrations also convey a lot of facts as well:  size comparisons and a baleen explanation (you’ll just have to read the book or know a thing or two about blue whales for an explanation of that one).

A very unique picture book.  Well worth taking a look at.

Links of interest: Mac Barnett website, Adam Rex website, more book blogger reviews.
Genre:  Fiction Picture Book, approx ages 4-8.
Publisher:  Hyperion Book.  June 23, 2009
Hardcover, 48 pages. ISBN 0786849584
Billy Twitters and His Blue Whale Problem is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.

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