Moby Dick

by Philip Edwards, Herman Melville Narrated by Peter Berkrot

Overview

When Ishmael joined the crew of a whaling ship called the Pequod, he was eager for a life of adventure on the high seas. But he didn't know that what he was about to embark on would be the adventure of a lifetime. With Captain Ahab at the helm, Ishmael and his crewmates quickly learned that they weren't simply hunting whales. They were on a quest for the biggest catch there ever was: the great white whale of legend, Moby Dick.

Editorial Reviews

School Library Journal

05/01/2017
Gr 1–4—In this picture book for older readers, Melville's first-person epic about the sea-loving Ishmael and his entanglement in Captain Ahab's obsessive hunt for the great white whale is stripped down to its core elements. As a consequence, little of the original's literary, thematic, and historical merit remains, and many of the book's important plot points are left out completely; that being said, this version should appeal to young readers who enjoy straightforward, narrative-driven works. Edwards does manage to successfully convert Melville's verbosity into a more accessible form for modern children while maintaining the tone and style of speech. Each spread features a single illustration that highlights the key event mentioned in the text; these are colored with dramatic effect. Character designs have a Disney-like quality; body shapes and facial features are embellished to represent personalities visually. VERDICT This title offers a decent introduction to the plot of the classic but is best used for entertainment rather than educational purposes.—Rachel Forbes, Oakville Public Library, Ont.

Kirkus Reviews

2017-02-04
Shadowy pictures of larger-than-life figures cast atmospheric gloom over this summary version of the classic.Edwards leaves out most of the gory whaling bits—as well as Ahab's talismanic doubloon and so many other details that what's left is more a precis of the main plot points. It's speckled with vague allusions ("Despite ominous warnings, Queequeg and I stayed committed to the Pequod") and capped with a one-line climax: "Claiming more than just the harpoon boats, Moby Dick dashed the Pequod and claimed all her crew. All except one…." In Horsepool's stylized paintings, semiabstract views reveal icy seas in which looming clouds, icebergs, and the whale look much alike. These alternate with scenes of monumental but misshapen human figures (Queequeg and Ahab both sport tiny pointed heads atop humongous bodies) that are often seen from behind and generally in dim lighting. Ishmael appears only at the end, looking more like he's standing in knee-deep water than clinging to the coffin. The cast's diverse origins draw a narrative mention, but aside from Queequeg and one crew member in a group scene, everyone in the art appears to be white. Other recent illustrated versions outsail this superficial recasting. (Picture book. 10-12)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940175702362
Publisher:	Dreamscape Media
Publication date:	07/24/2018
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	Up to 4 Years

Videos