Book Review: How the Whale Became & Other Stories by Ted Hughes

How the Whale Became & Other Stories: Ted Hughes

Ted Hughes' classic creation tales for young children are now published in full-colour for the first time, accompanied by stunning illustrations from the award-winning artist Jackie Morris. This collection of eleven evocative, accessible and funny stories for children of 5+ tells how a particular animal came to be as it is now. The Whale grew up in God's vegetable patch but was banished to sea when he became too large and crushed all His carrots; the Polar Bear was lured to the North Pole by the other animals who were jealous that she always won the annual beauty contest; the Hare has asked the moon to marry him but can never stretch his ears high enough to hear her reply; the Bee must sip honey all day long to sweeten the bitter demon that runs through his veins . . . each story is a delight for reading alone or aloud. 

I believe this is the first Ted Hughes book I've ever read. If I did read anything else of his, I honestly don't remember. If they're all like this one, I'd definitely like to check them out.

I've read the Turkish translation version, so I have no idea what the "other stories" in the English version are. In the one I read, though, it starts with how the whale became, and then it moves onto other animals. All of them were absolutely adorable, yet the whale was my favorite. And I especially loved god's role in creating all of them, but I'm not going to get into the reasons...

I think this is an enjoyable read for both kids and adults. And it definitely makes great bedtime stories whether someone reads them to you or you read them yourself.