The Storm Whale in Winter

Product Information

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.

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. Watch this interview with the author. Can you think of other questions that you would like to ask him? Noi, his fisherman father, and his cetacean friend return in this follow-up to The Storm Whale, as the little boy waits one winter night for his father to return from his last sea voyage of the season. When his father does not come home, Noi sets out to find him, walking carefully across the frozen waves. But when he finally does happen upon his father's boat, he finds it empty! Fortunately for Noi, his whale friend comes to his rescue, breaking the ice (together with his whale pod), and shepherding the little boy to shore, and to his father.The choice of the whale came seamlessly at the point of inspiration as I remember it. The idea that a whale could be in the bath was so misplaced as a concept that the story began forming around that starting point. I also loved the Frog And Toad books by Arnold Lobel, and when I was bit older The Animals of Farthing Wood by Colin Dann. My all time favourite is The Little Grey Men by BB. I never expected that The Storm Whale would get a sequel. Sure, I hoped seeing the whale again, but I never expected we would get a whole new book! So I am absolutely delighted, and the story was once again absolutely adore, cute, and heartwarming. Watch this animated trailer for the book. Could you create an animated version of a scene from the book?

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

Table of Contents

Pictures from the launch of The Storm Whale in Winter, which took place at Waterstones in Tottenham Court Road, hosted by Simon and Schuster. Whales are sometimes kept in captivity. Plan and carry out a debate to discuss the different points of view surrounding this issue. 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! Benji describes the book as being like the journey home; just as Storm Whale takes us out to sea, the sequel carries us home, as we find that Noi’s kind deed to the little whale was never forgotten. A follow-up to the best-selling The Storm Whale, winner of the 2014 inaugural Oscar's First Book Prize in association with the Evening Standard.

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. Has there been a particular person who influenced you – an artist or author for example, or someone completely other? Did you rescue injured animals as a little boy? Just thinking of Noi and the care he takes of little storm whale. I don’t remember a huge number of picture books from when I was little but Judith Kerr’s The Tiger Who Came to Tea was a big favourite. This book also teaches about community and relying on neighbors and strangers, and other unexpected sources of help. The discussion can be taken a step further by talking about how we she gratitude for what the fisherman did for Noi's father. This can be done by helping someone else in the community who needs our help but isn't expecting it. Also the first book can be touched on, how the whale returned the favor from the previous book.

Teaching Ideas and Resources:

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. 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. 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! A thoughtful, emotive and heart-warming story that will capture your imagination and thaw even the bleakest of winters. We can’t think of a more perfect gift to find under the tree this Christmas.”