Welcome Home, Whales - by Christina Booth (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

A boy dreams of a whale's call as she returns to a bay recently restored by conservation efforts to introduce her new calf to the world.

Winner of the Wilderness Society Environment Award for Children's Literature

"Booth's ... lyrical prose and cerulean watercolor art swim together like mother and calf: "two voices calling with a story of new beginnings."" --New York Times

"Beautifully tender, moving, and even hopeful." --Kirkus Reviews

In a quiet harbor, a young child hears the call of a right whale, the rarest kind of whale. He is the only person in his town to hear the whale's moving song, and he waits by the bay to hear more of her story and shares in her joy and sorrow. At first her story makes the young boy sad, but he is soon filled with hope as she introduces her new calf to the world.

Full of dreamy watercolors, Welcome Home, Whales shares the story of a boy who befriends a whale and offers her empathy and understanding. This poignant and optimistic story reveals timely themes of empathy and conservation that will resonate with children concerned about wildlife, the environment, and how they can help make a better world. Welcome Home, Whales eloquently illustrates the issues our younger generations are grappling with today.

The book ends with a list of ways kids can help right whales wherever they live. Readers will also enjoy a spread of facts about whale conservation and right whales to explore and discuss with teachers and family, such as:
-Whales are mammals, not fish.
-Right whales are known for their acrobatics. They love to play.
-All right whales are migratory, moving seasonally to feed or give birth.

A perfect gift for little conservationists, future marine biologists, and kids who love the sea. Printed on FSC-certified paper with vegetable inks.

One percent of all sales of this book will go to the Defenders of Wildlife, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting wildlife in North America.

Review Quotes

"Booth's tale ... is moody and mystical. Her lyrical prose and cerulean watercolor art swim together like mother and calf: "two voices calling with a story of new beginnings.""--New York Times

Featured in "Nature and Nurture: 8 Picture Books for Earth Day" (New York Times)

"Beautifully tender, moving, and even hopeful." --Kirkus Reviews

"Offer[s] a gorgeous way for young readers to connect with the world they live in... this book encourages readers to learn about the whales in their nearest waters and find ways to protect them." --Romper

"There is such a powerful feeling of caring in this book. Caring that can bring together people to make the world a safer, better place for right whales. The illustrations are soft and inviting. And there is wonderful back matter about right whales, where they live, and what those large white patches are called. There's also a section about conservation efforts and what you can do to welcome whales back to their homes." --Archimedes Notebook

"A lusciously visual book, drenched in heart." --Kids' Book Review

"...evocative watercolor illustrations and a calming lyrical text." --Sue Warren, Teacher and Librarian

About the Author