Calling the Whales

By Author / Illustrator

Jasbinder Bilan, Skylar White

Genre

Environment

Age range(s)

Publisher

Barrington Stoke Ltd

ISBN

9781800901803

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

06-07-2023

Synopsis

When a majestic whale is stranded near their Scottish hometown, Tulsi and Satchen must summon all their courage to save it in this thrilling adventure from Jasbinder Bilan.

After rowing out to an island near their seaside home, Tulsi and Satchen discover a whale that has been trapped in a fishing net. Determined to try to free the poor creature, they repeatedly dive down into the freezing sea to cut the netting, but eventually, exhausted and with a storm rolling in, they have to admit defeat. As they head for home to seek help, their boat capsizes in the storm and they're left clinging to it, dangerously adrift. Just as they think all is lost, help arrives from an unexpected source ...

A thrilling adventure with a powerful message about how we need to protect the oceans at its heart.

Download Extract

Reviews

Calling the Whales by Jasbinder Bilan is written specifically for readers aged 8+ who struggle with longer texts or unfamiliar words. Part of Barrington Stoke's HiLo reader, dyslexia friendly series, this book is a simple yet touching tale of two young children who try to save a whale they find entangled in an old fishing net. Set on the Scottish coastline, this is a story of friendship, love and nature.

Friends Tulsi and Satchen have finished school for the summer and are looking forward to a summer full of adventures. So on the first day of the holidays they set off in a little rowing boat to their special island, that lays just offshore, for a day of fun and adventure. When they reach the island they are horrified to find a young humpback whale trapped and clearly in trouble. Growing up close to the sea, both of the children are strong swimmers, so they don their wetsuits and brave the freezing cold water to try to free the whale from the fishing net. The Scottish sea is incredibly cold, the whale seems tightly tangled in the net and there is a storm coming in. Will the two brave children be able to free the whale in time?

Calling the Whales is a magical piece of writing, made even more magical by some fabulous illustrations by Skylar White.