The Storm Whale

By Author / Illustrator

Benji Davies

Genre

Family & Home

Age range(s)

Publisher

Simon & Schuster Ltd

ISBN

9781471115684

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

15-08-2013

Synopsis

The stunning bestseller by Benji Davies, winner of the inaugural Oscar's First Book Prize. Noi and his father live in a house by the sea, his father works hard as a fisherman and Noi often has only their six cats for company. So when, one day, he finds a baby whale washed up on the beach after a storm, Noi is excited and takes it home to care for it. He tries to keep his new friend a secret, but there's only so long you can keep a whale in the bath without your dad finding out. Noi is eventually persuaded that the whale has to go back to the sea where it belongs. For Noi, even though he can't keep it, the arrival of the whale changes his life for the better - the perfect gift from one friend to another.

Other books from the World of The Storm Whale: The Storm Whale in Winter; Grandma Bird; The Great Storm Whale. Also by Benji Davies: Grandad's Island; On Sudden Hill, written by Linda Sarah; When the Dragons Came, written by Naomi Kefford and Lynne Moore; Jump on Board the Animal Train, written by Naomi Kefford and Lynne Moore.

Download Extract

Reviews

The Storm Whale has sparked a love for award winning author and illustrator Benji Davies' books with my year 2 class. We couldn't wait to read it again and then read the sequel, The Great Storm Whale. Benji Davies' illustrations alone have the ability to tell the heartfelt, emotive storyline. This makes this book accessible for my toddler too!

In this story, we meet Noi, a little boy who suffers with loneliness whilst his father, a fisherman, is working long hours. One day, after a great storm the night before, Noi walks along the beach and spots a baby whale washed up on the shore. He knows the whale needs water, so he decides to gift it with kindness and places it onto his cart, dragging it all the way to Noi's bath at home! But what happens when dad comes home and finds the mammal in his bath? The story ends beautifully with Noi's father realising his child's loneliness and actively taking the time to spend quality time with his son – a gift in return for Noi that is immeasurable.

This story can be enjoyed by everyone but is especially poignant for a parent and child relationship. It teaches children that their voice matters and reminds them to share their feelings with their trusted adults - in this case, the feeling of loneliness. It resonates with the busy life of parenthood and reminds us as parents to take the time to cherish moments together.

After enjoying The Storm Whale and The Great Storm Whale, we cannot wait to read Grandad's Island next!

Picture book / Reviewed by Jessica Bunney, teacher