The enchanting second novel from the author of The Last Bear: the bestselling debut hardback of 2021 and The Times Children's Book of the Week, winner of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize and the Blue Peter Book Award

'An irresistible ocean-loving yarn' The Times

Winner of the Edward Stanford Children's Travel Book of the Year 2023

Shortlisted for BAMB Indie Book Awards for Children's Fiction 2023

THEIR BOND COULD SET THEM FREE . . .

Rio has been sent to live with a grandmother he barely knows in California, while his mum is in hospital. All Rio wants is for Mum to get better so he can return home. But everything changes when he joins a whale-watching trip and meets White Beak, a gentle giant of the sea. Rio forms an instant bond with the whale, and for the first time in ages he feels a spark of hope. Then White Beak goes missing and Rio may be the only person who can help.

Can Rio draw on their special connection to somehow find and save his whale . . . ?

Perfect for readers of 8+, beautifully illustrated throughout by Levi Pinfold

A powerful animal adventure story for children, from the bestselling author of The Last Bear

About the Author

Hannah Gold is the bestselling author of The Last Bear, The Lost Whale and Finding Bear. The Last Bear became an inspirational, international bestseller on release and was the winner of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize and the Blue Peter Book Award; and The Lost Whale was the winner of the Edward Stanford Children's Travel Book of the Year. Hannah's latest book, Finding Bear, was an instant top 5 bestseller. Her books have sold over 280,000 copies worldwide and have been translated into twenty-five languages. Hannah is also an ambassador for Whale and Dolphin Conservation. She lives in Lincolnshire with her tortoise, her cat and her husband.
@HGold_author | www.hannahgold.world

Reviews

'From the author of the bestselling The Last Bear comes another engrossing tale that blends ecological awareness with deftly plotted adventure' Waterstones, Books of the Year 2022

'If you know any little ones curious about the world, then this tale of a young boy who bonds with a whale and grows by learning about its life and environment is a beautifully illustrated and touching read' Wanderlust

'The Last Bear, Hannah Gold's award-winning debut, explored the intense connection between animal and child that can help with expressing pain and anxiety - and The Lost Whale reprises that theme' Daily Mail

'A winning book from a master storyteller' Irish Independent

'Unforgettable highly accomplished animal adventure about the connection between a boy and a whale, with strong ecological themes' Fiona Noble Bookseller

'A powerful and deeply moving story' Daily Mail

'The author's passion for the natural world currently under threat makes their book outstanding' New Statesman, Best Children's Books of the Year

'Lyrical page-turner' Observer

'An irresistible, ocean-loving yarn' The Times

'Simply beautiful - tender, heartfelt and hopeful with such crystal-clear storytelling. . . Rio and White Beak's story will stay with me for a long time' Sophie Kirtley, author of The Wild Way Home

'Beautifully crafted story of hope and healing' Katie Heap, Scope for Imagination

'Magnificent! The Lost Whale will lift your heart as high as the ocean is deep' Piers Torday, author of The Last Wild

'The most spellbinding read. I raced through this book, completely engrossed in Rio and his quest to find White Beak. My book of the year so far' Nizrana Farook, author of The Girl Who Stole an Elephant

Book Information
ISBN 9780008412968
Author Hannah Gold
Format Paperback
Page Count 336
Imprint HarperCollins
Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
Weight(grams) 240g
Dimensions(mm) 185mm * 130mm * 25mm