The Tale of the Whale by Karen Swann, Padmacandra

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The Tale of the Whale
by Karen Swann Padmacandra

A poetic tale of friendship and the beauty of the ocean, highlighting the need to stop plastic pollution and change our future.

Recommended age: Picture Books

A$24.99

(Hardback)

Available. Dispatched 2-3 business days

Overview
Details
Reviews
Media
Resources

Overview

‘Where land becomes sky

and the sky becomes sea,

I first saw the whale and

the whale first saw me …’

So begins a lyrical journey that brings wonder, discovery and friendship, but also an uncomfortable realisation: plastic pollution and carelessness are destroying the ocean and the creatures who call it home.

Can we work together to change the future of the sea?

Details

ISBN

9780702263262

Binding

Hardback portrait

Pages

Release Date

4/05/2021

2021-05-04T00:00:00+10:00

Reviews

‘A stunning literary and visual masterpiece.’ Reading Opens Doors

‘A timely reminder of the importance of looking after our oceans.’ Canberra Times

‘A moving and inspiring story … No matter your age, the book is a call to action – so on your next trip to the beach, pocket the plastic to stop the dreaded “ocean soup”’ The Age

‘A rolling, rhyming text that scans and richly textured images celebrate the sea through a child’s lyrical journey on the back of a whale. With a concluding call to arms about clearing the ‘plastic soup’.’ The Sunday Times Culture Magazine: One to Watch Out For

‘Not since The Snowman has a journey conjured so much sheer joy, connection and imagination... empowering and positive, a book that explores our connection with the natural world, text and images working beautifully together.'’ Books for Keeps: Book of the Week

‘The combination of the melodic text, imagery and emotion make a strong connection so that when the call to action is given at the end of the tale, and the reader is invited to help the girl make a difference, it is fully likely that the audience will be 100% on board..’ Just Imagine

‘A beautifully illustrated and sensitive story that will inspire younger children to consider the environment.’ School Reading List

‘A fantastical, rhyming tale of friendship, which highlights the distress caused to sea creatures by plastic.’ Scope for the Imagination

‘Karen’s lyrical words and Padmacandra’s majestic illustrations captivated us from start to finish. The Tale of the Whale is a masterful debut with exquisite illustrations. At the core of this heart-felt story of friendship, is a powerful reminder of everyone's individual responsibility to protect our planet from plastic pollution.’ Picture Book Perfect (Instagram)

‘Undoubtedly a stunning debut … A lyrical narrative combines with beautifully drawn scenes from under the waves and brings to life the reality of pollution.’ The Book Activist

‘This is a story of a voyage and a return; a poetic narrative picturebook with rolling rhymes & lush mixed-media illustrations…A treat for both the eye, the ear and the mind.’ Matt Tobin, Senior Lecturer in Education (Primary English with Children's Literature)

‘Not only is it a lovely story of friendship, it also has an important message about how we are poisoning the creatures and the sea with our litter.’ Play Adventures Fun

‘An instant bedtime favourite … The book takes you on a beautiful journey through the ocean as you watch the unfolding of a friendship between a child and a whale, and ends with the discovery that the ocean needs our help.’ Babyccino Kids

‘A lyrical and lovely picture of soaring imagination.’ Wigan Today

‘Padmacandra’s illustrations are truly gorgeous capturing both the friendship between child and majestic animal, and the richness and vibrancy of the oceans’ fauna. This is the debut picture book for both author and illustrator and it’s one where words and pictures work in perfect harmony. The observant among readers and listeners will spot the point in the story when plastic starts to be included in the subaquatic scenes.’ Red Reading Hub

‘The illustrations are stunning bringing the diverse life found in our oceans to life for the reader; there is a sense of wonder and exploration on every page … The story builds to a climax and the promise made by the child to help the whale before it is too late and the request to the reader to help too. This and the beautiful endpapers bring home the idea that every tiny act each individual does to protect our natural world will make a difference which is an important and empowering message for children to hear... This special picture book would work across a wide age range offering scope for cross- curricular work.’ A Library Lady blog

‘A beautiful story about a magical voyage through our oceans on a friendly humpback whale. The strong eco message about the 'plastic soup sea' becomes a positive message to the change the planet.’ Dandelion London

‘A fantastic introduction to talking about the environment and how we can protect it.’ Hookable Books

Media

Join the creators of 'Tale Tale of the Whale', Karen Swann and Padmacandra, for a reading, craft and some bookish chat.

Resources

Eggbox Jellyfish Activity Sheet

Toilet Roll Octopus Activity Sheet

Eggbox Turtle Activity Sheet

Eggbox Whale Activity Sheet

Ocean Treasure Activity Sheet

Plastic Soup Activity Sheet

The Song of the Whale Activity Sheet

The Soup of the Ocean Activity Sheet

The Whale's Journey Activity Sheet

Word Search Activity Sheet

What Can We Do Activity Sheet

United Nations SDG Publishers Compact

Karen Swann

Karen Swann won the Writing Magazine Picture Book Prize in 2018. She grew up in the UK where she trained as a physiotherapist in a small town by the sea. Always a writer and a storyteller, she now lives with her family in Nottingham and, when she’s not halfway up a climbing wall, she loves to write lyrical rhyming stories at an old Victorian scrub-top table. The Tale of the Whale is her debut picture book. www.karenswann.com

Padmacandra

Padmacandra grew up in Scotland, lives in Norfolk and graduated from the Cambridge School of Art. She is a Buddhist, poet and artist and currently works part-time as a carer.