Unlike the characters in Disney’s “Pinocchio” — who were swallowed whole by Monstro, an evil whale — on Thursday lots of Newton kids eagerly crawled inside a massive inflatable Humpback as part of an educational program at the Newton Free Library.
The Whalemobile, which is used as a teaching tool to inspire people to learn more about the giant marine mammals, is modeled after a real female whale named Nile, who is 37 years old. She can sometimes be seen in the seas off Gloucester, according to educator Michaela Tremblay who ran the program.
The Whalemobile, a massive inflatable humpback, in the Newton Free Library’s Druker Auditorium for a children’s educational program (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Educator Michaela Tremblay spoke with children at the Newton Free Library about the Whalemobile, a massive inflatable Humpback. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) Educator Michaela Tremblay spoke with children inside the Whalemobile at the Newton Free Library, highlighting ribs, heart, and other organs. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) Close-up of a large eye of the Whalemobile at the Newton Free Library (photo: Julie M. Cohen) A real piece of baleen — used by whales to filter prey from seawater, and trap it inside their mouths — is part of the Whalemobile educational program for children. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Newton Free Library staff inside the inflatable Whalemobile (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
The Whalemobile, a massive inflatable humpback, in the Newton Free Library’s Druker Auditorium for a children’s educational program (photo: Julie M. Cohen)
The impressive and realistic-looking creature ran the length of the library’s Druker Auditorium, amazing kids as soon as they walked in the door. Although the Whalemobile is 43 feet long, adult female humpbacks can grow up to 49 feet long, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
After making a brief presentation about Nile and her family, Tremblay let the excited children crawl through a slit on the side of the giant model and go inside.
Holding a flashlight, Tremblay pointed out the heart, ribs, stomachs (humpbacks have three) and other body parts to the children sitting cross-legged inside the body. Several kids shared their experiences of going on whale-watching trips and seeing water spray as the animals breathed through their blowholes. Tremblay then pointed out the corresponding spot inside the model where the blowhole would be.
As they sat inside the dark interior, Tremblay let kids see and touch real whale bones, teeth and baleen, which Nile has. According to Whale & Dolphin Conservation USA, “baleen plates filter, sift, sieve or trap the whales’ favorite prey from seawater inside their mouths.”
Overall, the Whalemobile aims to “foster a love for whales and the ocean and help cultivate the next generation of ocean advocates.”
