Close your eyes and imagine you are in the ocean. What do you see? Most of us probably name whales as one of those magnificent creatures of the sea. Get to know the gentle beasts of the ocean with these animal books about whales.
Books About Whales Being Endangered or Rescued
Big Blue Whale by Nicola Davies takes us into the wondrous world of a big blue whale.
Trapped! A Whale’s Rescue by Robert Burleigh is based on a true story. Rescue divers work to untangle a humpback whale trapped in fishing nets.
The Boy and the Whale by Mordicai Gerstein is the tale of a boy and his father who find a trapped whale and the things they do to free it.
This is an older goodie that you may remember from Reading Rainbow. Humphrey, the Lost Whale: A True Storyby Wendy Tokuda is the story of a whale who wanders under the Golden Gate Bridge and into the river. A remarkable team of people work to turn him around and journey back to the ocean.
The Eye of the Whale by Jennifer O’Connell is the story of a diver who comes eye to an eye with a whale while trying to rescue it from tangled lines.
The Spirit of Springer: The Real-Life Rescue of an Orphaned Orca by Amanda Abler is the story of an orphaned orca calf in the Pacific Northwest. After being discovered alone, a team of scientists work to reunite her with her family. Lots of backmatter including how to help whales and further reading.
Books That Will Make You Fall in Love With Whales
The Whales by Cynthia Rylant is a poetic look at the gentle giants that sail the seas. “They are floating like feathers in the deep blue green.”
Little Whale by Jo Weaver is illustrated in beautiful shades of blue. It’s the story of a journey between mother and calf north to meet their family and return home.
Life in the Ocean by Claire A. Nivola is a look at oceanographer, Sylvia Earle’s life that led her to dive deep into the ocean to learn about whales and many other creatures. You can’t help but fall in love with the mystery of the sea after enjoying this book.
Big Blue by Shelley Gill is the story of a girl who dreams of swimming with the whales and gets the opportunity to do so.
The Blue Whale by Jenni Desmond is non-fiction text that does a neat job of comparing whales to other things to help kids learn about their size to how they move.
Wild Orca by Brenda Peterson is the story of one of the oldest whales in the world and her journey with her family each year. The book also talks about how the age of whales is determined.
More Informational Books About Whales
Whale Fall Café by Jacquie Sewell is a fascinating look at what happens to a whale carcass as it falls to the bottom of the dark ocean. It’s a page turner full of animals you’ve never heard of probably an idea you never thought about before.
Get the Printable Book Lists and Conversation Starters
Grab the printable book list that you can take to the library or share with other families. You also get six conversation starters to spark discussion on the topic.
Just click the green button below.
Create a Family Dinner Book Club Featuring Whales
What is a Family Dinner Book Club?
Each month:
- On the first of each month, we provide all the details for your dinner.
- Sarah from Chef Sarah Elizabeth shares a themed menu to compliment the theme for the month.
- Laura from Sunny Day Family shares an activity that relates to the theme.
- And, I share a book list that compliments the themes, conversation starters, and a family service project.
Books and Conversation Starters
For our theme of WHALES, you have found the book list and discussion starters on this page. (see above)
Themed Menu
Check out the themed menu you can eat with your family from Chef Sarah Elizabeth. It’s a menu fit for a whale—> MENU
Book Related Activity
And, visit Sunny Day Family for an activity to do with the theme.—> SEE THE HOW TO USE LESS PLASTIC ACTIVITY
Family Service Project
There are many things we can do to protect whales.
- Work to keep trash out of the ocean.
- All drains lead to the ocean. Keep harmful cleaning products and medicine out of them.
- Support an organization that works with and for whales.
This rescue and animal shelter Family Dinner Book Club can just be the first of many. Join us in a year-long focus of kids making a difference in the world.—>See All The Kids Making a Difference in the World Family Dinner Book Clubs
If you would like to be notified when a new Family Dinner Book Club releases, sign up for our special mailing list.—>SIGN UP HERE
CoolWriter says
I love Nicola Davies books. As a grown-up, I have learned a lot from her books. This book, though published a long time ago, still provides a nice introduction to the majestic animal that is the blue whale, the biggest living being on our earth.