JOURNEY OF THE HUMPBACKS

An extraordinary collaboration that follows the epic migration of humpback whales.

Originally published in Colombia, this work follows the marine mammals on their 8,300-kilometer (5,150-mile) journey from Antarctica’s Gerlache Strait to the Pacific coast of Colombia. Muñoz Toro and Dipacho worked with several whale researchers to ensure scientific accuracy while maintaining the story’s narrative appeal. The text weaves factual information with storytelling elements, using analogies to make complex science accessible to young readers; whales preparing for migration are described as “packing a suitcase,” while their communication is compared to an “oceanic voice that’s intermittent, like the light from a lighthouse blinking in the dark.” Dipacho’s artwork creates moments of visual poetry, from a close-up of a whale tinged with deep blues to striking black pages depicting a whale’s death. Muñoz Toro acknowledges the limits of human knowledge with refreshing honesty, noting that “very little is known about the mating behavior of humpback whales” because “it happens very quickly,” while males may sing elaborate songs “perhaps just because they can.” Even readers initially indifferent to marine life will find themselves captivated by these creatures, whose epic journeys mirror our own need for home and connection yet whose deepest mysteries remain beautifully unsolved. This is not a book to rush through, but rather one to return to repeatedly, as each reading reveals more layers about migration patterns, whale behavior, and marine ecosystems.

An unforgettable encounter that will spark a lifelong fascination with these extraordinary beings.