I Know the Whale — Robin Yardi

When a little girl discovers a beached blue whale, the biggest mammal on earth teaches her some of the largest lessons in life, about the beauty in all things big or small.

I know the whale lived.
I know the whale sang.
But when it washes ashore,
the whale isn't singing anymore.

The little girl doesn't know how to feel, and Papa tries to answer all her questions about it. Time passes, and the whale, and Papa, aren't there anymore. But when it's announced that the whale's bones will be displayed at the local museum, she knows she has to see it again. And even though it's gone, she knows that the whale is still just as beautiful as all the quiet wonderings she has about where it might be now.

This poignant picture book touches on the grief and beauty of death and loss, wonder at the scientific and spiritual unknown, and the space to embrace big questions and feelings.