One night as a storm rages outside, a great grandchild called Honey snuggles into her great grandmother’s lap.

A story is on great grandmother’s lips.

“A long time ago… on such a night as this, the whale child was born.”

Honey is spellbound as she hears of a ship sunk by a storm, the only life left being a new-born baby. This baby is found upon the waves by a pod of whales.

Years pass and the baby grows, becoming a child among whales, swimming, hunting fish, and plunging deep with her whale family.

But her life is soon to change when they see a strange creature atop the waves, full of other creatures. Snatched from the waves she is taken from the whale family and raised on land…

Will this whale child ever see her first family ever again?

This sumptuously illustrated picture book tells a magical tale of a child raised on and beneath the waves – by whales.

A story is being shared between generations about this extraordinary child.

The bond between great grandchild and great grandmother is clear on the page with emotions of wonder, joy, loss and longing. Finishing with a fantastical surprise, The Whale Child is a spectacular tale for ages up to age 7.

Author – Elizabeth Pulford

Illustrator – Jane Smith

Picture Book

(2026, Bateman Books, Aotearoa New Zealand, Whales, Grandmother, Storytelling, Animals, Family, Fantasy, Child, Sea, Ocean)