Soren's Seventh Song: A Picture Book

Soren, an adolescent humpback whale, finds the traditional songs of his species "outrageously boring," writes Eggers (Her Right Foot). "Soren wanted to make shorter, catchier songs, with melodies, and choruses, and maybe even maracas or theremins. He had ideas!" The other young whales are ready for change, too, but when Soren debuts his new tune, the response is far from encouraging--in fact, it causes a couple, including best friend Hans, to throw up. But Soren won't give up, employing tenacity that, much to the story's credit, isn't portrayed with clichéd pluckiness. Instead, the whale just keeps doggedly at it, described via an approachable voice and novella-like pacing, as Hoffmann (Iamasaurus) immerses readers in a painterly aquatic world that's both beautiful and funny (the refracted light and ocean currents are almost palpable, while reappearing pink whale vomit delivers as a visual joke). Eventually, a genuine hit does emerge, after Soren eschews his musical preoccupations and incorporates the "bright beauty" that surrounds him. It's hard work to make something that's not only new but wins the hearts of others, but in the hands of these creators--human and whale alike--the labors of the creative process sing. Ages 6-9. Author's agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. Illustrator's agent: Jennifer Laughran, Andrea Brown Literary. (Feb.)

Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 3-6--Noting that humpback whales are renowned for their long, repetitive songs ("This part of the book is true," the author writes. "But the rest of this book is made up"), Eggers presents Soren, a bored young humpback ("what we might consider a teenager") who thinks that short, catchy numbers "with melodies, and choruses, and maybe even maracas or theremins" would be far cooler. Unfortunately, his first try at a composition is so bad that one flippered listener throws up. Subsequent revisions fare no better. Even his best friend Hans is discouraging: "I would say it was awful, but it was not good enough to be awful." Undeterred, Soren keeps at it, wisely dropping the maracas along the way while incorporating what he sees and feels about his ocean world until, after many failures, he not only manages to please the lobsters (a literally hard crowd) but has the hit whale song of the year--popular even with country-music loving freshwater audiences! Hoffmann echoes the tale's jocular pitch with sinuous seascapes featuring marine fauna sporting tiny hats as well as the odd clouds of krill vomited up by chunky cetacean critics with human expressions. There's a serious message beneath all the badinage, though, about the relationship between creativity and hard work. VERDICT Despite (or because of?) murky waters that seem related to writerly indulgence, this develops a theme worth the hearing, even for creative readers well beyond the younger reaches of the picture book audience.--John Edward Peters

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"In this hilarious story, Eggers succeeds in giving readers one whale of a lesson on the values of learning from criticism, abandoning what isn't working, and never giving up."
-- "Booklist"
 

"Eggers tackles important themes--the challenges of the creative process, which entails unavoidable laboring, and the necessity of trustworthy friends willing to give honest feedback. An approachable explanation of tenacity, friendship, and hope."-- "Kirkus"

***STARRED REVIEW***
"It's hard work to make something that's not only new but wins the hearts of others, but in the hands of these creators—human and whale alike—the labors of the creative process sing."— "Publisher's Weekly"
***STARRED REVIEW***
"In this hilarious story, Eggers succeeds in giving readers one whale of a lesson on the values of learning from criticism, abandoning what isn't working, and never giving up."
— "Booklist"
"Eggers tackles important themes—the challenges of the creative process, which entails unavoidable laboring, and the necessity of trustworthy friends willing to give honest feedback. An approachable explanation of tenacity, friendship, and hope."— "Kirkus"
"Despite (or because of?) murky waters that seem related to writerly indulgence, this develops a theme worth the hearing, even for creative readers well beyond the younger reaches of the picture book audience."— "School Library Journal"
"[T]he dry, witty voice and direct asides give this picture book plenty of humor, and there's a surprising balance between snark and tenderness... solo readers will delight in the irreverent humor."— "Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books"