Lots of reading and viewing pleasure guaranteed with The Little Whale by illustration talent Benji Davies. This picture book has not been named Picture Book of the Year 2017 for nothing!


The Little Whale tells the story of a lonely boy and a small whale that washes up on the beach. Their friendship changes their lives forever.
This book won Benji Davies the Oscar's First Book Prize. For his second picture book, Opa's Island, he won the prestigious World Illustration Award.



Boy lives by the sea with his father and six cats. Boy's father works as a fisherman and is usually out all day, which often makes Boy feel lonely. When a small whale washes ashore after a storm, it takes it home to care for it in secret. Finally he has a boyfriend! But... whales can't live in a bathtub, can they? Davies, known for the illustrations of the accessible and colorful Bezig Beertje series, uses an artful style here in muted colors and strong atmospheric images. Illustrations, alternately as spreads and printed on a few pages, on which there is much to look at and search for (such as Boy's six cats), with hidden jokes for the attentive viewer. The text, written by Davies himself and translated by Edward van de Vendel, is concise but striking. The reader can add to the text or point out details. Davies rightly won several awards for this special picture book. Warm story about loneliness, friendship and affection with beautiful illustrations that young and old can enjoy. A gem to read (aloud) over and over again. From approx. 4 years.

Language: Dutch