A story about humpback whales, in every facet: migration, life cycle, lifestyle, and communication. Specifically focusing on the migration of a group of Columbian humpbacks, this book's lyrical writing is absolutely beautiful. However, I felt like it could have used more expansive illustration that show the concepts it is discussing, similar to contemporary offerings I've recently reviewed focusing on spiders, jellyfish, and other animals.

This book is best suited for biologically focused children 7 and up, and all children ages 10 and older. My 5 year old did not have a long attention span with this book, since the illustrations didn't particularly illuminate what the words were saying in the book.

Beautiful and informative. This is a really special book that I can imagine so many families loving, There is so much information on these beautiful animals but it is written in a way that would be accessible to everyone. Illustrations are eye catching and pair well with the text on each page. Definitely recommend.

Journey of the Humpbacks is a captivating children’s nonfiction book that takes young readers on an incredible migration alongside humpback whales. Juliana Muñoz Toro packs this book with fascinating facts and rich details that bring these majestic animals to life. From their songs to their long journeys across the ocean, every page is filled with wonder and discovery.

The illustrations are lovely and engaging, helping to visually anchor the information and keep readers interested. This book is a great choice for curious kids who love marine animals, science, or nature. It’s both educational and enjoyable — a perfect combination for classrooms, libraries, or bedtime reading.

Thank you to Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Join author Juliana Muñoz Toro on a journey with humpback whales. While learning about the whale's anatomy, reproductive cycles, eating habits, and migration journey, readers are also treated to details about other marine life and ecosystems. The text of the book is more suited for older children, but younger readers will still enjoy the diagrams and artwork while listening to the story. My son is a 6-year-old zoologist in training, so this was perfect for him.

The illustrations by Dipacho are fun and creative. They do not overpower the text but provide a nice compliment.

Advanced reader version provided by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

My son loves to read books about sea creatures and humpback whales are his favorite! We both enjoyed this book and learned some new things we both didn’t know.

This children’s book was both informative and engaging! While it leans a bit on the wordy side for younger readers—with lengthy explanations and fewer visuals—it makes up for it with beautiful, detailed illustrations. I especially liked how the visuals were mixed in between the story’s journey and the factual tidbits, keeping it interesting and educational at the same time.

I even learned some new information myself, which is always a bonus when reading with kids! Adding a bit more visual interest to break up the text could make it even more approachable for early readers, but overall, it’s a lovely and educational read

This book was both beautifully illustrated and packed full of information. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about this magnificent mammal. Thank you NetGalley for the digital arc. I will be buying a copy of this for my own library.

#JourneyoftheHumpbacks #NetGalley

Journey of the Humpbacks It is a brief but very informative glimpse into the lives of incredible living beings.
Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for this advanced reader's copy.

Beautiful creatures. This is a lovely book with beautiful illustrations of whales and other sea creatures.

Easy to read and follow and an enjoyable writing style that captures your interest. The pictures are very pretty but also informative great for learners who like to see a picture of how things work. I think this would be a great purchase!

I love that the book begins with an invitation to go on a journey- what is a good book if not that? The text is overall quite advanced and rich with information, so this is not necessarily a book for young children to read alone, but is a wonderful book for shared enjoyment. If your child is curious about sea creatures and nature, this is a treasure. It includes maps of the world, details on whale anatomy, questions to consider as well as bios of the team of people who created this book. I personally found this last feature interesting to learn about the community of scientists, artists, and authors who seek to inspire a love of science/nature in our littles. This book left me with a sense of wonder and gratefulness for both whales and the people who love them. I would absolutely purchase this book for my family.

Journey of the Humpbacks is a non-fiction resource geared towards kids. I would suggest that this be for older kiddos since it is pretty text dense. The illustrations have a water color style to them that I really enjoyed.

Thanks to Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company and NetGalley for an eARC of this book for an honest review.

I loved this book! As a marine biologist, I have a great love for the ocean and its creatures, and this book is so well done! The illustrations are beautiful, and the information is written in a way that is easily understood and fun to follow. Even though this book is aimed at slightly older children, my 4 year old still loved listening to me read about the whales’ journey, and he loved the illustrations.
Highly recommend for all nature, animal, and ocean lovers!
Thank you to Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company and NetGalley for the advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a thorough, informative, and beautifully illustrated book about whales and their role in the ecosystem. I enjoyed reading about how whales help with climate change as they fertilize algae with their poops. Whales are magnificent creatures, and there are many new facts that readers will learn when reading about Humpbacks.

I really enjoyed Journey of the Humpbacks! This is the kind of book I can easily imagine finding in oceanic museums, aquariums, or natural history exhibits, beautifully informative and visually captivating. Aimed at readers aged 8 and up, it's also a treat for adults who love ocean life. And thanks to its stunning illustrations and vivid colors, even younger children will be drawn to its pages.

The story traces the migration journey of Southern humpback whales, as they travel from the icy waters of Antarctica to the warmer tropical coasts along South America. The narrative is both scientifically accurate and highly readable, striking a perfect balance between education and engagement. It’s clear the book was developed with input from biologists, making it a reliable and enriching resource for curious young minds.

The illustration style is one of the book’s standout features: lush, immersive, and full of movement, just like the whales themselves. Overall, this is a beautiful and thoughtful book that encourages a deeper appreciation for marine life and environmental awareness.

Highly recommended for classrooms, libraries, and nature-loving families!

Thank you #NetGalley and Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company for the copy!

Wow! This book belongs in all elementary schools, libraries, and classrooms. It is a story packed full of knowledge and facts of Megaptera novaeangliae, commonly known as Humpback Whales. From migration and lifespan to feedings and songs, you will find all there is to know about the remarkable sea creature.
You can feel the passion from the author and team that created this book. The lovely illustrations were perfectly executed and will allow kids to grasp what is being taught in a fun, easy way. I thought adding questions to encourage children to engage was such a nice touch!
I encourage every kid to read this, especially those who enjoy adventure, has the desire to learn, and who love the ocean!
Thanks to Netgalley and Eerdmans Books for Young Readers for the digital arc!

Journey of the Humpbacks by Juliana Munoz Toro is an engaging and informative picture book that follows the incredible migration of humpback whales across the ocean. I loved everything about this book—it’s filled with fascinating facts and stunning illustrations.

Journey of the Humpbacks by Juliana Muñoz Toro and illustrator Dipacho is a beautifully crafted exploration of the humpback whale’s migration from Antarctica to the Colombian Pacific. Blending poetic language, vibrant illustrations, and fascinating facts, this book invites readers to swim alongside these majestic creatures while learning about their songs, survival, and role in the ocean. It's an inspiring and educational journey perfect for curious minds and ocean lovers alike.

This incredible book is perfect for elementary-aged children, though readers of all ages will find something to admire and learn from. As I was reading, it felt like I could hear the waves and a gentle narrator’s voice, as if I were watching an immersive IMAX film. The tone of the book is both peaceful and resonant, effortlessly combining educational facts with an emotional message about the importance of protecting these magnificent creatures and the oceans they call home.

It doesn’t just focus on humpback whales—it opens the door to the broader world of marine life, highlighting the interconnectedness of species and the delicate balance of the ocean ecosystem. The collaboration with whale researchers adds authenticity and depth, and the lyrical text makes it a pleasure to read aloud.

Dipacho’s artwork is absolutely stunning. Each illustration is rich with movement and color, and it’s clear the artist poured their heart into every page. The visuals are so breathtaking, I would happily hang them in my home as standalone art.

This is more than a children’s book. It’s a meaningful experience, a call to awareness, and a love letter to the ocean. Thank you to NetGalley and Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.