Terry Tamminen

Watercolors: How Jj the Whale Saved Us Terry Tamminen

What would you do if you found an abandoned baby, who was hungry and confused? What would you do if this baby was a whale?

Terry Tamminen, former Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency, shares his remarkable true story about the rescue of JJ the whale, a day old gray whale that was found abandoned in Marina del Rey, California. He takes us through his incredible journey and the setbacks he encountered, including bureaucratic obstacles, the daunting task of figuring out what and how to feed a 1600 pound baby, and finding a safe home for the infant.

Not only is this a book about whale rescue, but a touching example of human will and compassion. Tamminen introduces us to the various characters involved-- many volunteering their time to save the animal, all deeply devoted to saving the animal-- creating an emotional picture of the power of human collaboration.

Compelling and riveting, Watercolors captures the urgency felt by the people involved in the rescue. At the same time, it educates the reader about gray whales, providing a glimpse into their life experiences. But most importantly, this book is a call to action: although we may not all have the chance encounter of meeting and directly saving a baby whale, our actions and decisions that we make on a daily basis are affecting these mysteriously beautiful creatures.