GIGANTIC

A diminutive blue whale discovers that being little doesn’t mean having a small heart.

Gigantic may be the smallest whale in his pod, enduring scoffing from bigger brother Titan, but when Titan finds himself in danger, Gigantic—with help from a newfound friend—demonstrates that courage, compassion, and teamwork are what matter most. Celebrated author-illustrator Biddulph crafts an endearing story about self-acceptance and unlikely heroism, set in a vibrant underwater world teeming with personality. His rhyming text flows with natural ease, never straining for effect. He introduces the protagonist with a playful, conversational rhythm (“And there, ’neath the waves of a stormy Atlantic, / there lives a blue whale, and his name is Gigantic”) and captures stormy drama with seamless musicality (“A mulberry sky full of flashes and rumbles. / An ocean alive as it rises and tumbles”). His illustrations burst with visual energy to match: The stormy opening spread comes alive with rich magentas and turquoises, while the white-capped waves rendered in sweeping brushstrokes convey both danger and drama. Later, Biddulph stacks three massive whales vertically alongside vibrant purple, green, blue, yellow, and white kelp fronds that create patterns and emphasize the size contrast between Gigantic and the others in his pod. The use of pattern and texture gives pages tactile appeal, while the sea creatures’ simple, expressive designs make them instantly lovable.

Charming proof that what’s most important in life is immeasurable.