Already the winner of the Canadian National Book Award, this luminous picture book--a first effort for both collaborators--tells the simple story of an old man who lives alone in a house overlooking the sea. His life has assumed a cozy regularity to match the seasons: collecting firewood and clams in wintertime; planting his garden in the spring; and, in summer, watching his beloved orca whales swimming by. When his daughter comes to visit one spring with a new infant, the man has someone with whom to share his love of the natural world--especially the whales. Written in precisely cadenced prose, McFarlane's story about thecycles of life--while not a new theme--is so deftly handled that it becomes genuinely moving. (The old man dies, and his daughter comforts the child: ``Don't be sad, sweet girl. Your grandfather's spirit has gone to leap and swim with the whales.'') The meticulousness of Lightburn's pastel drawings perfectly complements this gentle scenario--his use of light and shade, for example, proves remarkable. One drawing in particular, of the old man and his granddaughter examining a small branch in the woods, serves as a compelling portrait of intergenerational love that sums up this book's joyous, life-affirming mood. Ages 4-up. (Mar.)

K-Gr 3-- In this quiet story, an old man lives simply, gardening, walking in the woods, and waiting for the whales that travel up and down the coast on which he lives. One spring, his daughter and her baby come to live with him. As the child grows, he shares with her his love of whales. After he dies, the girl and her mother carry on the same life, consoled by the thought that he is now with the whales in spirit. The text, although a bit too repetitive, reads smoothly. The lovely colored-pencil drawings, which have a sculptural, formal quality to them, beautifully capture the sense of waiting and stillness. Lightburn is especially skillful in his use of light and shadows, and in depicting mist and ocean spray. He also adds a nice touch with the hat that the grandfather usually wore, which the girl has on her head at the end. An impressive debut for a Canadian author and illustrator. --Kathleen Odean, Moses Brown School, Providence, RI

"This beautifully written, sensitive story reflects on an important relationship between young and old...This text is skillfully enhanced by the accomplished artwork of Ron Lightburn...Twenty-five years later this enchanting book has been republished, proving that it is a classic appealing across the generations. It should be welcomed once again on the shelves in school libraries and classroom collections."

"A delicate and beautifully executed book."

"Waiting for the Whales, a multi-award winning (for both author and illustrator) picture book, was described as 'timeless' when originally published in 1991. Twenty-five years later, it lives up to that praise, remaining very much a story for today. The premise, setting, themes and illustrative style still inspire in this classic story written from the heart…Be sure to add this gentle but captivating story to your picture book collection. Waiting for the Whales will remain a favorite to reread for generations to come."

"This gentle and poignant tale features striking photorealist coloured-pencil artwork."