posted on 24 Oct 2022

The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish by Chloe Savage

I can hardly believe that this beautiful and accomplished picture book is author/illustrator, Chloe Savage’s debut. Boasting a first degree in TV and Film Set Design and a Masters in Children’s Book Illustration from Cambridge School of Art, I guess it shouldn’t come as such a surprise but it still feels that there is a precocious maturity about her work that makes you feel like you’re in the hands of a seasoned professional.

Savage tells us the tale of Dr Morley, a scientist who has an obsession:

“All her life she has been fascinated by the idea of finding a jellyfish which everyone talks about but no one has ever seen: the giant Arctic jellyfish.”

After years of planning and aided by a dedicated crew, she sets off for the icy waters where they begin to encounter all sorts of marvels of the deep - narwhals, beluga whales, orca - but despite all their efforts, no giant Arctic jellyfish can be found. 

Month after month they battle on with no reward and the crew start to flag - maybe the stories of the giant are just mythology after all? But faith in Dr. Morley is strong enough to keep them going and their hearts rise when they encounter a huge algae plume that is a perfect environment for jellyfish. Surely this is where they will fulfil their quest.

But no. Nothing. Looking at her exhausted crew Morley decides its time to give up on their search - they’ve stuck with it and tried everything and now its time to accept defeat and head home. It’s at this moment, on the final page, that they finally get a tantalising glimpse of what must be the giant Arctic jellyfish…surely it must be….maybe….

But enchanting as the story is, it’s only half of the feast. The illustrations are really stunning and tell a secondary story as the giant jellyfish trails the searching boat, artfully slipping out of sight at the crucial moment. Younger readers will be thrilled to see how the jellyfish outwits the scientists until it's ready to be found.

There are more than a few echoes of the great Michael Foreman in Savage’s drawing style and her use of a wonderful range of blues only serves to underline the influence. I also loved the use of cross-sections of the boat to illustrate the dedication, order and dedication of the crew at work.

Available now from Walker Books you should be able to find this book in your local independent bookshop or they will, no doubt, be able to order for you. It’s an absolute treat and not just for the children of the house but for the adults too.

 

Terry Potter

October 2022