Sometimes those happy stories that you hear about on the news are just begging to be written into a story.  That’s the case with today’s picture book based on a true story.

Brooke Hartman has visited my blog several times over the last few years.  I have known and worked with her locally for years now as well, and it’s always a thrill to see a fellow Alaskan breaking into print like this.  Brooke sometimes writes about Alaskan topics and sometimes not.  Her many interests lead to the most interesting picture books.  She has two wonderful daughters and an amazing husband who support her in what she does.  And I’m sure her dog does too.  You can learn more about her at her website, or follow her on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.

LITTLE NARWHAL LOST is based on the true story of a little narwhal who became adopted by a pod of belugas.  Yet this is fiction.  It’s told from the point of view of the young narwhal who is lost and lonely.  You feel so sad for the poor little guy and yet it’s that perfect tug on your heartstrings that will invest every young reader in this story.  That and the beautiful art work by the talented Evon Zerbetz accompanying every page.  She is also a local Alaskan and she works in traditional media of hand painted linocuts that are stunning.  She and Brooke have worked together before (on the book DREAM FLIGHTS ON ARCTIC NIGHTS) and this is yet another wonderful collaboration.

Welcome back Brooke!

Me: I love this story of a poor lost little narwhal (based on a real story!).  What gave you the idea to make it into a picture book?

Brooke: Sometimes we happen upon a story that reaches out and grabs us, and this one did just that. True animal friendship stories have always been near and dear to my heart, and this tale—an entire pod of belugas adopting a stray narwhal—captured me even more. I knew I wanted to share this story with the world and was so glad that my publisher did, too.

Me: This book has had quite a publishing journey already.  Can you tell us a little bit about that?  When did you first write this story?  How did you come to this publisher?

Brooke: The original publisher, West Margin Press, really took this true tale by the horns (or should I say tusk?). When my initial editor saw the manuscript, she, too, was touched by this incredible story of an orphan narwhal. My illustrator for Dream Flights on Arctic Nights, the amazingly talented Evon Zerbetz, had heard that I was writing this story and had been begging me to do the illustrations. Fortunately the editor saw that Evon’s trademark linocut art would pair well with this story as well. Then that publishing house was sold to Turner Publishing last December. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen to the story of Little Narwhal that Evon and I had worked so hard to bring to life, but they must have seen something endearing in this true tale, because here we are!

Me: What appealed to you about this story and this little narwhal that made you want to work with it and fight for the story as long as you did?  What made you want to share this story with young readers?

Brooke: At heart, the story of Little Narwhal is a tale of adoption, a situation many children (and adults) know about firsthand—not only with formal adoption, but the concept of “found family,” of making lasting, loving connections beyond traditional familial bonds. This story is a touching reminder that the ability to make those connections exists in the animal kingdom, as well. As far as scientists can tell, these belugas took in this lost narwhal without any hesitations; they simply enfolded him into their pod like a brother or son. So in truth, maybe this lesson of acceptance is something we can learn from animals more than they learn from us!

Me: The story is so succinct and appealing to young readers.  How many revisions did the manuscript go through to get to this state?

Brooke: Honestly this story wasn’t revised nearly as many times as some of my other picture book manuscripts. When I was first penning the story, I knew I wanted to keep the message of unconditional acceptance despite physical differences and a lack of traditional familial bonds at the forefront of the text. A couple rounds with my critique group helped hone that message even more, followed by another revision or two with the original editor, and the manuscript was complete! 

Me: What is one thing that surprised you in writing this story?

Brooke: This story almost felt pre-written for me, not just in the fact that it’s a nonfiction account, but in the emotional arc that came with it. With previous manuscripts, I’ve always had to throw words onto paper like darts at a wall in an effort to figure out where those emotional peaks and valleys should go, and just how high and low they should be. But this story swam into my lap almost fully-formed. It was refreshing surprise!

Me: Evon Zerbetz’s illustrations in this book are absolutely perfect.  I adore her traditional hand-inked linocut approach.  This isn’t the first time you were able to work with her.  How did this partnership come about?

Brooke: I adore Evon’s work, too! Her little touches and attention to detail always surprise me. I’ve been lucky to work with Evon on two projects now, and our first book, Dream Flights on Arctic Nights, was a serendipity of itself. Back in 2017, I’d written a poem about arctic animals as viewed from a child’s perspective flying over the arctic at night. I happened to show the poem to another well-known Alaskan illustrator, textile artist Amy Meissner, and she recommended I get in touch with Evon, who’d coincidentally done a public art installation with a similar theme.

Evon and I chatted over the phone, and she loved the poem. She made a few sample sketches that we sent to the prospective publisher (also West Margin Press). Then we waited. Over six months later, we finally heard from them that they wanted to publish the book! When people ask if they should find an illustrator for their picture book prior to publication like I did, I tell them not to try and follow my footsteps because my first book came about in such an unusual, almost magical way.

Me: Were there any illustration surprises for you?  What is your favorite illustration?

Brooke: I’m not sure I have a favorite illustration, but I love the way Evon rendered Little Narwhal and the belugas. They’re physically accurate in every way, yet also evoke a sense of emotional expression, and that combination is so hard to get just right. She is truly a master of her craft!

Thank you for stopping by my blog again Brooke.

Dear readers, LITTLE NARWHAL LOST is published tomorrow.  This little narwhal is sure to tug at your heartstrings and the illustrations are sure to impress.  You won’t want to miss this adorable book based on a true story.