Little Gnouf and Mirabelle—two “Gnoufs,” who look like pale-skinned children with snouts and animallike ears—are thrilled to be visiting the ocean for the first time. The pals are marveling at their surroundings when Mirabelle hears with her “magical ears” a far-off cry for help: It’s a baby whale trapped in a fishing net on the shore. Once Little Gnouf and Mirabelle manage to get the whale into the water, the friends climb onto the creature’s back and offer words of encouragement, which ultimately helps the calf reunite with his mom. The duo’s improvised efforts to save the whale—they make ropes from the fishing net and get an assist from some seagulls—are compelling, though there’s a whiff of the cutesy about the story: “Little Gnouf and Mirabelle rushed to the baby whale because Gnoufs loved the earth and all its creatures.” “Mommy whale was so happy to have her baby safe, she sang a joyful song that sent shivers through the sea.” But the illustrations make up for it; Grimard has a light hand, creating willowy tableaux and hewing to a beachy palette except where sea life is concerned—then it’s open season on glorious color.