Baby Whale Rescue: The True Story of J. J.

ANNOTATION

Describes how J.J., a baby gray whale born off the California coast and separated from her mother, was rescued and returned to the open sea.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The dramatic story was told on the evening news. Separated from her mother, a baby gray whale had been hopelessly stranded on a California beach. As the world watched, the whale was rescued and brought to SeaWorld of California in San Diego, where she was named J.J. and nursed back to health.

J.J. was the first baby gray whale ever to be raised in a marine park, and for months she was the park's star attraction. The day finally came when J.J. was too large to live in captivity and needed to go back to the sea. The exciting story of how she was returned to the ocean and taught to live on her own will captivate readers of all ages.

FROM THE CRITICS

School Library Journal

Gr 3-6-A recounting of the rescue and rehabilitation of a female gray whale calf, separated from her mother and discovered, hungry and exhausted, rolling helplessly in the gentle surf at Marina del Rey beach in California. Whisked to SeaWorld in San Diego, the young whale was named J.J. and given professional, loving care for the next 12 months. She thrived, growing prodigiously and learning to "hunt" for food placed on the floor of her tank by her caretakers as they prepared her for a return to the sea. The story of J.J. ends with her last transmitted signal showing her to be heading north on the proper migratory route for her species. This well-researched, readable book is full of information on whale care and gray whale behaviors and lifestyle. Bright, full-color photos show J.J., her treatment and development, and her final release. A heartwarming story with an excellent scientific focus.-Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

Kirkus Reviews

Arnold and Hewett (Stories in Stone, 1996, etc.) record the harrowing rescue of a baby gray whale who had become separated from her mother off the coast of California. She was discovered on January 10, 1997, exhausted, hungry, and near death. J.J. was 14 feet long when she was brought to SeaWorld as a young calf. Gaining 900 pounds in the first month, she had to be moved to a new home by crane. Her caretakers started planning on giving J.J. skills so that she could be released and survive on her own in the ocean. Divers put her food on the bottom of the pool, each day in a different location, so she could practice searching. Arnold is relaxed in her telling, allowing the already dramatic events to unfold naturally: "Everyone cheered as J.J. took a big breath, dove deep, and disappeared. The young whale was on her own." Full-color photos capture the excitement of J.J.'s release, but also the hard work of preparing her for her return to the sea. (Picture book/nonfiction. 5-9)