Unattractive pictures turn this popular song into a mediocre book. The two-line verse and two-line refrain are slight. Music included.

PreS-Gr 2-- The song about this small, white whale has as its hero probably the best loved of all Raffi's creations. Children who are learning about the interdependence of all life on Earth, and of the crucial importance of preserving the fragile environment, will get a first, cheerful lesson about the natural world by becoming acquainted with enchanting Baby Beluga, swimming wild and free with his mother in the deep blue sea. He and his friends are somewhat anthropomorphic, in the interests of cuddliness, but this does the message no harm . The illustrations are a joy to behold, and the song has a rhythm and rhyme that make it easy to remember and sing. --Joan McGrath, Education Centre Library, Toronto, Ontario, Canada