Discover a pangolin at dusk, fly on the bat's back, visit a lion and hear about his plight; try the moth alphabet tongue-twister, meet fighting Tazzies on a night out in Tasmania or dream about the five-legged dog and three-legged cat! Then find out about real, huge Titanosaurus and amazing Coelacanths. You might spot a kingfisher, that 'small glint of wonder', and see how 'wild reclaims the world' in the urban night-time.

These beautiful poems are perfectly melded with Petr Horacek's gorgeous, glowing paintings and the combination is extraordinary - passionate, playful, thoughtful and exciting. Like the goldfinch in the final poem, this wonderful book will 'set the heart free and flying'.

About the Author

Nicola Davies is the author of more than 80 books for children and young people, including poetry, non-fiction, picture books and novels. Her work has been published in more than 10 different languages and won awards in the UK, US, Europe and Asia. In 2017, she was the first recipient of the School Library Association's award for Outstanding Contribution to Children's Non-fiction. Her picture book The Promise (with Laura Carlin) was one of the New York Times' picture books of the year and was made into an animated film for the BBC. The Day War Came (with Rebecca Cobb) sparked an online campaign, '3000 chairs', in support of unaccompanied child refugees. Her recent YA novel, The Song that Sings Us, has been nominated for the Yoto Carnegie Medal. The Star Whale is her third collaboration with Petr Horacek. Their first, the poetry collection A First Book Of Animals, was shortlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway medal. Nicola regularly runs workshops for children and adults to help them find their voices as writers and advocates for nature. She lives in Pembrokeshire, Wales.

Petr Horacek has won many international awards as a creator of picture books. His glowing, expressive artwork is perfectly matched by words that speak directly to children. Petr was born in Prague and studied at the Academy of Fine Art. As a teenager he used to go out and paint in the woods, and his feeling for wild nature is very apparent in his illustrations. He moved to the UK in 1994 and his first picture books were published in 2001. He runs hugely popular workshops in schools and bookshops, and at book festivals. As one teacher said, "He makes every child feel the most special child in the room." Petr also tutors students of illustration. His other books for Otter-Barry Books are The Last Tiger and The Perfect Present, nominated for the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Illustration. Petr lives in Worcester, UK.

Reviews

"Horacek's richly coloured paintings inspired Davies to write 40 poems about animals, from rollicking couplets to wonder-filled lyricism. Together, they form a passionate, magical love letter to nature."

-- Nicolette Jones * The Sunday Times - Best Children's Books for 2023 *

"A picture book which is a true partnership of images and words. The book is both a joy to look at and read...

The imagery throughout is evocative, vibrant and colourful and there is so much to explore on each page. I think that children especially will be inspired by the artwork and will want to create their own images replicating Petr's style...

This is a book that will endure. It is a book to keep but also to gift, being the perfect addition to a bedroom bookshelf or a classroom book corner. "

* Just Imagine *

"The Star Whale is a visually stunning large format hardback collection of 40 poems, each beautifully paired with Petr Horacek's vibrant illustrations. Celebrating the wonders of the natural world, from pangolins and bats to lions and a Titanosaurus, The Star Whale invites both enchanting imagination and deep contemplation. This inspirational book is a delightful read for young naturalists and a fantastic resource of nature poems for KS1 and KS2 teachers. An astoundingly beautiful book."

* School Reading List - Picture Book of the Month *

"These beautiful poems are perfectly melded with Petr Horacek's gorgeous, glowing paintings and the combination is extraordinary - passionate, playful, thoughtful and exciting."

* Achuka (Book of the Day) *

"Petr Horacek's gorgeous illustrations are inspiring. Luminous colours glow from every spread as his artwork captures different creatures, habitats and ideas. It is almost impossible to chose a favourite as turning each page reveals new treasure to be lingered over and wondered at...

For a teacher, there is so much here to inspire and develop creativity and curiosity...However, it is also a book to linger over and to love, to curl up with and dream, to share again and again and again..."

* Through The Bookshelf *

"The Star Whale is a lyrical and thought-provoking collection of poetry which celebrates the wonder and majesty of the natural world. Nicola Davies is herself a zoologist, and Petr Horacek has illustrated her work with extraordinary luminosity. So much of the current poetry for children is pedestrian, so a collection that fuels the imagination as this one does is very welcome."

-- Anne Fine * BookTrust: Best Children's Books of 2023 *

"... What a gallery of images: bold, immersive, gorgeous. But they do not stand alone. Bringing them to life are the poems by Nicola Davies. Ranging from the lyrical to the humorous, from the sensuous to the rhythm of the popular song, angry, reflective - here are poems to attract a wide range of tastes and capture imaginations...

This is a volume to explore, to excite, to open anywhere and start a journey through that spread - a journey beyond the physical pages, meeting the world through words and image; an inspiration of a book."

* Books for Keeps *

"It is a joy to read aloud to pupils; absolutely stunning illustrations; and has been borrowed lots since joining our collection!"

* School Library Magazine *



Book Information
ISBN 9781915659095
Author Nicola Davies
Format Hardback
Page Count 96
Imprint Otter-Barry Books Ltd
Publisher Otter-Barry Books Ltd