A ROYAL FAUX-PAS LEADS TO THE INSPIRATION FOR THE ROYAL CRITTERS & WHALE MAGIC
A misspelled letter in a word unveiled the secret to my destiny
 

Dear Princes, Princesses, Mermaids, Mermen, Mateys and Pirates All!

Before you read this book, I want to share with you a true whale-of-a-tale that inspired this book, WHALE MAGIC! Once upon a time, in 1985, to be exact, long before you were born, The Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince Charles and Princess Diana came to the United States for their first visit as a married couple. Everyone was excited, and I was, too. I wanted to welcome them in a special way so I put together some special gifts, Rickter Duck coloring books and T-shirts, for their two young sons, Prince William and Prince Henry ("Harry"). Rickter Duck is a duck & cover earthquake preparedness program, "OPERATION QUAKE! QUAKE!" that I created for children in 1984. I wrapped them in a package and was ready to address it, then I realized I did not know the proper way to address a package to royalty. Who does, right? So I called the British Embassy in Washington, D.C., where they were staying, and inquired as to the proper way to address the package. The lady on the phone was very specific and told me step-by-step how to do it:

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To Their Royal Highnesses
H.R.H. Prince Charles and H.R.H. Princess Diana
The Prince and Princess of Wales
In care of The British Embassy, Washington, D.C.

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I thanked the lady, addressed the package and mailed it never expecting they would personally receive it, let alone open it. However, a month later, to my great surprise, I received a Thank You letter from Buckingham Palace! A copy of the letter is on the next page. As I read the letter, I was overjoyed, then I looked at the letterhead and it said: From the Assistant Private Secretary to H.R.H. The Prince of Wales. I studied the word "Wales" for a moment, then I realized I had made a royal faux-pas! I had misspelled their name! I spelled Wales with a "h", as in WHALES, the majestic ocean creatures. Being a former journalist, and knowing the importance of correct spelling, especially a name, and a royal name at that, I was embarrassed at first. Then I began to laugh and thought it was very funny. Only me! After all the trouble I went through to get it right. Oh, whale, too late now.

 

Then, out of nowhere, I had a vision in my mind’s-eye of a cartoon Prince and Princess of Whales that live in the ocean. The prince was wearing a royal red cape with an ermine collar, and a golden crown on his head. The princess was very beautiful and she was wearing a sparkling necklace, and a diamond tiara on her head. So on that day, my cartoon characters, The Royal Critters starring Prince Buoyant and Princess Eviana, the Prince and Princess of Whales were born...all from a misspelled word. It would take me many years to create and develop them, and many other characters, like the villains, Johnny Networth and his henchmen, the Anchovie Brothers.
 

I soon fell in love with whales! I did extensive research for the project, consulting with world-renowned whale marine biologists from Maui, and other experts. I went on whale-watching expeditions. What a thrill! Then I moved to Hollywood to learn how to write an animated movie script, and I did, but not just one, several movie scripts, and a TV script for a cartoon series, books and songs. I met with celebrities that loved the project and gave me letters of intent to be a voice for a character once a movie is produced. I am now looking for a first-rate animation studio for the production.

I gave many interviews to newspapers, magazines, and on radio and television, telling my story, how it all happened, and above all, giving a voice to the plight of whales and the ocean kingdoms. Schools invited me to come and share my knowledge about whales. I participated in Earth Day celebrations as far away as Poland, recorded Public Service Announcements. I also had the honor of writing an article for the United Nations Environmental Newsletter. My life became all about whales. I became committed to doing my part to bring awareness to their cause, but also with humor and love. Whales have taken me to places I never could have dreamed, including flying over the Bermuda Triangle, a haven for humpbacks, in an old, rickety charter plane on my way to Bimini to work on the project. By rickety, I mean I literally watched a screw on the wing unscrew itself by the vibration of the plane. Needless to say, it has been a thrilling experience!

No matter how long it took, I never gave up on my dream. So after all these years, I am happy to bring you the second children’s illustrated book in the series, WHALE MAGIC: A Whale of a Tale. The first book, WHALE MAGIC: A Whale of an Adventure was published in 2017. The illustrations are accompanied by verses from the Whale Magic song I wrote. This second book is the storybook that tells the story of how and why the Royal Whales came to our planet; to make their presence known, to share their magical abilities and show us how fun and playful they are. They are our friends. It's as if the story was in a magic bottle traveling through the oceans all this time and finally washed ashore just for you!

 

Who could have ever guessed, that after all these years, Prince Charles would be crowned King Charles III, and I would become the Prince of Whales! I hope you come to love and want to protect these majestic creatures, and the oceans, as I have. Always remember, never give up on your dreams no matter how long it takes. Moral of the story: Sometimes it pays to make a mistake! But in truth, it wasn’t a mistake at all. It was the universe leading me to my rightful destiny. It could only have been Whale Magic!

 

Whale Wishes and Dolphin Dreams,

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John J. Kennedy

Creator and Author

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