The Storm Whale in Winter

Product Information

Nostalgic and gentle, this book is beautifully crafted, with filmic, sometimes panoramic illustrations and a plot line that will give the reader goosebumps (in a good way) — so strong is the message and sense of there being a true friendship between boy and whale. Whales are sometimes kept in captivity. Plan and carry out a debate to discuss the different points of view surrounding this issue.

The illustrations are the draw to the book though. Beautiful, evocative and moody, they truly show the way of life in a small fishing village on the water. Showing children other ways to live is a great way to help them be sympathetic and understanding of other children who live differently from them. Did you rescue injured animals as a little boy? Just thinking of Noi and the care he takes of little storm whale.

Noi was also very brave, because when his dad disappears during the last fishing trip, Noi goes off to find his dad. And what happens then it was wonderful, adventurous, but also very sweet as we have a reunion happening. <3 <3

Watch this interview with the author. Can you think of other questions that you would like to ask him? The words were fine. Nothing difficult or hard for my nephew to follow. The whale part was by far the most moving to him. We both adored the spread with the whale family as seen from down below. Any scene with family is quite powerful to my nephew and I think many other children would also be so moved! My grandad was big influence on me when I was growing up — I think he was responsible for giving me a love of books and the natural world. Noi and his fisherman-father live on a remote island. Noi is always searching for the storm whale they had rescued and released together. When Noi’s dad travels into the wintery ocean on the final fishing trip of the season, Noi waits patiently at first for his dad to return. Eventually he can wait no longer, and travels out by foot on the frozen sea to search for his dad. With some bravery, and the help of his never-forgotten friend, Noi and his dad are reunited. THIS WEEK author and illustrator, Benji Davies, creator of The Storm Whale and Grandad’s Island, launched his highly anticipated picture book, The Storm Whale in Winter.So after a wonderful book launch, hosted by our brilliant colleagues at Simon and Schuster, and in anticipation of our cosy Christmas story time, where Benji will be reading us his heart-warming story, I wanted to find out a little bit more about the man behind the books… LM Watch this animated trailer for the book. Could you create an animated version of a scene from the book? Highly recommended! But be sure to read the first book, otherwise it will be a bit confusing, plus you would miss out on the feels!