By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: September 16, 2010
We are pleased to introduce you to W.J. Brutocao, author of The Basking Shark Rescue Team—a fast-paced tale that emphasizes tolerance, an appreciation of nature and the value of understanding our differences.
W.J. Brutocao*
TCBR: The Basking Shark Rescue Team provides readers with the opportunity to see the world through the eyes of a misunderstood boy with ADD. Tell us about the book and the inspiration behind creating this new series?
Brutocao: My stories are set in the beautiful California coastal towns of Mendo and Morro (obviously based on Mendocino and Morro Bay). People in these towns live close to nature and wildlife. In Morro Bay there is a bird sanctuary where the residents include herons, egrets, cormorants, hawks, and other birds. So naturally, my stories have herons, egrets, cormorants, hawks, and other birds, as well as a couple of children, otters and other animals.
One of the children has ADD. It is important for everyone, not just children, to accept differences among us all. Having a protagonist with a learning disability helps children see the world through the eyes of someone who is “different,” while at the same time most kids will see something of themselves in Angelo. I have friends and family members with disabilities, and I feel that people with disabilities are frequently misunderstood and are underrepresented in traditional media channels, including books, movies, and television.
TCBR: What is the most important lesson you hope readers will learn from your book?
Brutocao: That we should honor and respect other people and animals; that individuals should not be judged by the way they look or their manner of speech, but by their actions; and that by working together we can accomplish things that we cannot do alone. Oh, and by the way, even though children might not appreciate it, sometimes, though maybe not always, it is a good idea to listen to your mother.
TCBR: What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating this book?
Brutocao: The power of a story to change people. I wrote this story while I was undergoing treatment for Hodgkin Lymphoma—I wrote chapters between chemotherapy sessions. This enabled me to get outside of myself. Instead of dwelling on my own frailty, I turned my attention to creating a whimsical world where birds and animals communicate and interact with two special children. The entire process caused me to change my own priorities. I am more inquisitive about the natural world and I have more respect for writers! In all seriousness, writing is a very introspective endeavor and I learned more about myself than I could have imagined beforehand.
TCBR: If you were told you had to live with one of the characters from
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