Whale in a Fishbowl by Troy Howell and Richard Jones

Looking at a whale in an aquarium causes me distress. In this book the feelings are amplified when we see the huge whale, named Wednesday, alone, trapped in a small tank, in the middle of a bustling city. Her name is Wednesday because "like the day of the week, ... was smack in the middle of everything."

In the distance Wednesday can see a tiny glimpse of blue. This causes her heart to leap but she does not know why. To see the sea, Wednesday needs to leap up in her tank. This delights the crowds. They think she is doing a wonderful trick. Leaping makes Wednesday happy but is also makes her sad. One day a small girl arrives and she communicates directly with Wednesday:

"You belong in the sea!"

Things get worse for Wednesday. She cannot sleep or eat and she no longer wants to leap but she aches to see that glimpse of blue. Finally one day, out of utter despair, she makes one final leap. What happens next will astonish and delight you.

This is a book that SHOULD be added to every school and public library collection. Here are two words from Whales in a Fishbowl that apply to the book itself - glorious and breathtaking!

Hauntingly beautiful. I love these sorts of stories for children because the story itself is clear and easily-followed, but it allows for multiple interpretations as to its meaning. Is it a lesson in believing in your dreams? Following your heart? Having the courage to explore the unknown?The Baby Bookworm Blog

Whale in a Fishbowl is a really important children’s book.It is an advocate for keeping wildlife in the wild and teaching children the importance of seeing beyond the leaps and applause to the fact that these animals should be in their own habitats and not inside the glass walls and cages that their parents pay entry fees to visit. W is for Whale

 Take a look at other books illustrated by Richard Jones. In this blog post Troy Howell talks about his book. You can see the whole book here.