Fanciful, fictional retelling of a young orca's odyssey

The endearing story of Springer, an orphaned baby orca who befriended Puget Sound ferry boats in 2002, gets a sentimental, fictional retelling in "Springer's Journey," a new book by a local author, illustrator and publisher.

Readers will not find an educational, straight-forward account of a local animal luminary, such as "Lootas Little Wave Eater" and "Hansa," both by Mercer Island-based author Clare Hodgson Meeker.

Still, if kids are charmed by the black-and-white creatures — and who isn't? — then they'll enjoy the story, which is more hopeful than the sadder endings of Keiko and Luna, the Northwest's other famous whales.

Instead, first-time author and Seattle native Naomi Black anthropomorphizes both whale and boat. Springer asks a "wise old ferryboat" for directions and then decides to learn to be a boat instead of an orca. Illustrator Virginia Heaven, a former Seattle Prep art teacher, adds tears and "arms" (in one picture, the whale holds on to a piece of driftwood with her flippers). The boats have eyes and talk to each other.

It seems a bit unnecessary, since the true tale was dramatic enough. Springer delighted Vashon Island ferry passengers, often swimming upside down and waving her flippers at people. And it has a real happy ending: She reunited with her family pod in Canada. Compared with the fanciful beginning, the rescue effort is more faithfully recollected in the book.

Stephanie Dunnewind: sdunnewind@seattletimes.com