I kinda remember something about a whale, but I really don't remember O_o
I do remember though, reading most of the American Girl series in the 1st and 2nd grade...
“Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake.â€
I had picture books with simple stories which I read; it was those OTTO books. A few ladybird books as well.
However, my first REALLY GREAT BOOK was an Afrikaans book called "Brolloks en Bittergal" by CJ Langenhoven. It was (by 10 year old's standards) a thick book and I read it in one sitting. I've had some of the story read to me, but the whole story is truly magical. It's about two evil monsters who like to eat children and how they get their just desserts.