The Storm Whale by Benji Davies is a tender and gentle story about the relationship between a boy and his father.

The Storm Whale by Benji Davies This week's Pick is by Cottager Kara Lareau. What it's all about . . . Noi lives in a house by the sea with his father, a fisherman. Each day, Noi watches his father go off to work, and spends the day alone…until one day, after a storm, when Noi makes a special discovery on the beach: a whale that needs his help. Why it's on The Little Crooked Bookshelf . . . A gentle, heartwarming adventure story, beautifully written and illustrated by Benji Davies. Our favorite lines . . . Noi did everything he could to make the whale feel at home./ He told stories about life on the island./ The whale was an excellent listener. Our favorite illustration . . . From The Storm Whale. Illustration copyright 2014 by Benji Davies. Why kids will love it . . . This whale of a tale is perfect for animal lovers and generous spirits. Why grown-ups will love it . . . Perfect for parent and child to enjoy together, as Noi and his father work together to return the beached whale to the sea.

Informationen zum Autor Benji Davies is an illustrator and animation director. From a young age he was often to be found painting at the kitchen table, a scene which can still be seen to this day. Benji studied animation at university, and has since worked on a diverse array of projects, from picture books and animated short films to music videos, commercials and title sequences. His books have been co-editioned in many languages and countries around the world. The Storm Whale is his first self-penned picture book. He lives in London with his wife Nina. Klappentext It's winter time and Noi's island is covered in a blanket of snow. Even the sea is icing over. Noi is worried about the little whale he saved last summer: Can he survive the harsh conditions? Little does Noi know that it's the little whale's turn to save him. A magical and touching story about a last.

Summary: “Every day, in a house by the sea, a little boy watches his father leave for a long day’s work. One night, a great storm washes a small whale onto the beach. The boy discovers the whale is a good listener. The father discovers the boy is lonely. Together, they return the whale to the sea. And from that day on, the boy learns that the father can be a good listener too, in Benji Davies’s heartwarming tale, The Storm Whale.” (Taken from Goodreads) Review: Little Noi lives with his father and six cats on an island. His father is very busy fishing out on the water all day and Noi is lonely. One day after a big storm, Noi finds a whale washed up on the beach and brings it back to the house to live in the bathtub. This sweet story of the a father-son relationship is powerful and poignant and so simple at the same time. Although a beached whale is a sad event and a little boy’s loneliness is even sadder, the author was able to create a story about hope and love that is truly beautiful. Personal Reaction: I was first drawn to pick up this book for it’s illustrations of the island and the sea – they are absolutely stunning and then I was surprised by how deep the story was with so few words. I am continually amazed by children’s authors and illustrations who can turn 32 pages into masterpieces that get to the heart and soul of human emotions and I believe this book does just that. Title: The Storm Whale Author: Benji Davies Illustrator: Benji Davies Publisher: Henry Holt and Company Publication Date: September 30, 2014 This is a new idea I’m trying on my blog this year that was inspired by @donalynbooks and @heisereads – to provide a brief review of a picture book every day of 2018. You’ll get a brief summary of the story, a review of the content, illustrations and theme, my personal reaction to the book and all the pertinent publication information! Enjoy!

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The Storm Whale Created by Benji Davies and published by Simon and Schuster I had heard whisperings of this wonderful picture book on Twitter and Facebook, like some mythical creature from the deep sea, we were teased and tormented by sneak peeks at what looked to be the very beginnings of a mesmeric picture book by fabulous beard sporting illustrator Benji Davies. A teaser The very moment The Storm Whale washed up at Book Sniffer Towers I was smitten, this book was immediately recognisable as being unique and stood out from the crowd, part of a new wave of creative design lead innovative picture books from Simon & Schuster - three cheers to that. So let me tell you more about this incredible addition to the Sniffer bookshelf... Noi is a small (balaclava wearing) boy, a lonely child who lives with his burly fisherman father on a small island with several cats for company. Benji's characterisation is so well considered that the characters in his books become faultlessly believable. After a morning well spent collecting treasures on his very own desolate beach Noi discovers a beached whale. Noi decides the best place for his new friend is at home with him so an adventure begins as he smuggles the baby whale into the little wooden house which he shares with his father and embarks on a mission to look after him the very best way he can. Utterly heart wrenching scenes unfold as the small boy plays sea shanty's to the bath-bound whale and sneaks food from his own plate to feed his new friend. It really is wonderful to see a father / son relationship depicted in such a touching way... The time comes when Noi's father discovers the whale and in a delightfully reassuring way they decide to set the whale free together. A cockle warming moment of sadness contentment and hope. Aside from the beautiful story this picture book is impressively designed, the muted colour pallet is so atmospheric you'll be convince that you can smell the sea and feel the pebbles beneath your toes. With delicate flashes of rich yellow on many spreads signifying safety and security this is far from a bleak tale. Transported back to a time of innocence and simplicity this delicate story about friendship and has echos of The Snowman in it's magnificent timeless nature. A future classic and a must have for the dicerning picture book fan. Bravo Benji Davies and congratulations - lets hope we see more and more of his wonderful creations in the very near future. 5 starfish out of 5! Message in a bottle Interview with Benji COMING SOON In the mean time you can purchase one of theses delightful LIMITED EDITION knitted whale and hardback book sets here - An absolute must have. Follow Benji on Twitter @Benji_Davies ... and check out his illustrator page on Facebook so for tantalising sneak peeks. A proud day! Washed up whale -Image taken from Benji Davies Illustrator on Facebook

The Storm Whale Created by Benji Davies and published by Simon and Schuster I had heard whisperings of this won...

To some cultures they were gods, keepers of wisdom, to others they were living monsters and the bringer of storms, and to a certain little wooden boy out at sea looking for his dad, one was simply known as ‘Monstro’!

Anya, the founder of Montessori From The Heart, is an educational coach, a blogger, an author, a digital creator, and an influencer.