Dear Mr. Blueberry

From Publishers Weekly
An ecologically aware girl is sure she sees a whale in her swimming pond, despite her teacher's missives. Ages 4-7. Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 1-- It is summer, and Emily discovers that a whale is living in the pond in her yard. Eager to learn more about this amazing animal, she writes a series of letters to her teacher, Mr. Blueberry, asking for information about whales and their habits. The humor of the situation lies in Mr. Blueberry's replies. He sends Emily some details, but he is also quite adamant that whatever is in her pond is not a whale since they live in salt water. Nevertheless, both Emily and readers know that indeed there is a whale in the pond, and the proof is the amusing, full-page watercolor cartoons. Emily shares her letters with the whale, who, after hearing about his species' migratory habits, leaves the pond to return to the ocean. (How he does this is not explained.) At first, Emily is saddened at her loss, but a chance meeting with Arthur on the beach gives her the opportunity to say goodbye. This story is a nice blend of fantasy and reality with a smattering of facts. The large print and simple vocabulary make it appropriate for beginning readers. --Laura Culberg, Harold Washington Library Center, ChicagoCopyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Kirkus Reviews
A sweet, rather fey exchange of letters between Emily, who reports seeing a whale in her small goldfish pond, and her teacher, who assures her (politely, then ``forcibly'') that she must be mistaken. Meanwhile, Mr. Blueberry shares facts that Emily finds useful in caring for the whale--which is hugely corporeal in James's deftly drawn, endearing illustrations. Ever undaunted, Emily claims a final sighting at the beach, and ``I said you loved him, too.'' A nicely open-ended balance between the real and the imaginary in a child's world. (Picture book. 4- 8) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.


Book Description
"Dear Mr. Blueberry, I love whales very much and I think I saw one in my pond today. Please send me some information on whales." It's vacation time, so Emily has to write to her teacher to help when she discovers a blue whale living in her pond. Mr. Blueberry answers that she must be mistaken, because whales live in the ocean, not in ponds. Throughout the summer, Emily and Mr. Blueberry exchange letters, until Emily has a happy surprise to share with her teacher. In the process, Emily learns a lot about whales. And Mr. Blueberry leans even more about imagination, faith, and love.


Card catalog description
A young girl and her teacher correspond about the whale she has discovered in her pond.


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PreS-Gr 1-- It is summer, and Emily discovers that a whale is living in the pond in her yard. Eager to learn more about this amazing animal, she writes a series of letters to her teacher, Mr. Blueberry, asking for information about whales and their habits. The humor of the situation lies in Mr. Blueberry's replies. He sends Emily some details, but he is also quite adamant that whatever is in her pond is not a whale since they live in salt water. Nevertheless, both Emily and readers know that indeed there is a whale in the pond, and the proof is the amusing, full-page watercolor cartoons. Emily shares her letters with the whale, who, after hearing about his species' migratory habits, leaves the pond to return to the ocean. (How he does this is not explained.) At first, Emily is saddened at her loss, but a chance meeting with Arthur on the beach gives her the opportunity to say goodbye. This story is a nice blend of fantasy and reality with a smattering of facts. The large print and simple vocabulary make it appropriate for beginning readers. --Laura Culberg, Harold Washington Library Center, Chicago


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