A simple message. So beautifully conveyed. There is no scenario where the child is lying. Or by some magical twist there really was a whale. It is up to the reader to interpret it as he wishes. I love the story. I love the message behind it. I love the idea of protecting our animals being instilled in children. Unlike some of the people that run Greenpeace, it’s my generation that will have to live with the consequences of climate change. In my experience young people tend to be open minded to all solutions, including nuclear. It’s an emergency after all! Armistice Day: A Collection of Remembrance - Spark Interest and Educate Children about Historical Moments

Reading comprehension activities are a useful way to develop the key reading skills set out in the English National Curriculum. Reading a range of well written texts and answering questions based upon them can really improve how well pupils read non fiction texts. This interactive self-marking reading comprehension based upon the work of the environmental group Greenpeace provides work at three differentiated levels to cater for a wide range of ability levels within a class. It can be shared via a PIN code so that all pupils can access it on a range of mobile devices in class or at home. This resource is also a useful way to develop understanding about the threats facing our environment and what can be done to help protect our natural world. How can I improve my child's reading comprehension? Now after finally buying a copy to keep I wish I could borrow a piece of Emily’s cheerful tenacity, which refuses her to be disappointed just because someone suggested she might be so. And I hope that I’ll be always not quite grown-up enough to say something stupid like “There is this cute book about that whale-loving kid with a too vivid imagination.” I want to remain that adult who states: “Let me introduce resourceful Emily. She’s got a whale! In her pond! And she exactly knows who to ask for information without even having to involve her parents.” It all sounds a bit nerdy, but it couldn’t be more important. It meant that nuclear, (alongside other clean energy sources like wind and solar) could get the critical financial investment needed to help save our climate.The book also highlights the exciting opportunities that Greenpeace can offer, ‘Perhaps when you are older you would like to sail the oceans studying and protecting whales with us.’ The forlorn Emily sitting on her bed now has hope of adventure and protecting whales like Arthur which takes the sting out of him leaving. Her room surrounded by posters and books of whales shows how she has continued her learning and has been studying already. Showing children that there are jobs where you can study the things you are passionate about is also a really important message. Find out about the migration of whales and plot their movements on a map of the world. How far do they travel? Imagine that Lucy sees her whale again at a later date. Could you write a story about an adventure that they might have together?

Find out about the sizes of different animals (including humans and whales) and use this to create some graphs and charts.

The essence of the humour in this story stems from Greenpeace’s replies, each one a little more adamant that there is absolutely “NO” possibility of a large sea mammal residing in a garden pond. Emily is completely undeterred and continues seeking advice out of concern for her whale, and her replies are just as hilarious. The beautiful illustrations capture the enchantment of childhood and let the reader in on the fact that Emily and her whale are enjoying time together!