Reviews: The Lost Whale (15)

Travelling to California to stay with his grandma Fran while his mom gets better, 11-years-old Rio wants nothing more than to go back to London and be with mum, who he has been taking care of for quite some time now.

"After all, he knew what grown-ups were like. They spoiled things with logic. And Rio didn't need logic right now. He just needed hope."

What starts as a journey of healing for his mum back in London, ends up being a journey of healing for Rio as well, as he discovers the wonders of whale-watching, the connection his mum had with whales since her childhood, the marvels of the ocean and the gentle giant whales that live within.

A spellbinding adventure full of illustrations by the wonderful Levi Pinfold - that will leave you in awe - Hannah Gold brings you close to the ocean, the wonderful animals that inhabit there and the wrongdoings humans have brought upon both.

"There were many grown-ups all round the world who seemed to be waiting for the right moment to do something. Many people who were leaving it too late."

It isn't only a environmental conscious narrative, but with its cadence to deal with hard topics in family dynamics - such as how parent's mental health affects the child deeply -, I can tell you Hannah Gold has written something quite unique and relatable to all of us.

We all care for the environment and are scared of the daunting prospect of actually doing so. However, if Rio and White Beak can teach us anything is that an open heart and a small action, added to others' numerous small actions, can save lives and, ultimately, the oceans and all living beings that call it home.

"None of us can save the world single-handedly. But together we might just stand a chance."

Another brilliant book from Hannah Gold - a beloved local author to us at Waterstones Peterborough. We're delighted that she has just been crowned the Waterstones Children's Book Prize overall winner for her debut The Last Bear, and I was very excited to receive an early copy of Whale from the publisher earlier this year. You can't help but fall in love with Rio and White Beak as much as April and Bear. Another beautifully told story that deserves (and needs) to be discovered by readers of all ages. I love this wave of environmental writing for children and Hannah is at the forefront of it!

The Last Bear was probably the most important and the best middle grade book I've ever read. The Lost Whale is a fantastic continuation of stories which are raising awareness about the human impact on the environment and making children fall in love the animals and their protection. I truly hope that both books will become mandatory at schools around the globe, because our planet could really benefit from raising caring human beings.

Rio is just a kid who lives in London with his mother. She's suffering from the mental health issues and decides to seek help. Rio is sent to his grandmother on the West Coast of the USA. He feels upset and lost, until his grandma gives him the drawings of whales made by his mum, from the first time he goes whale watching, he's fascinated by those wonderful creatures.

Rio meets Marina and together they keep tracking and reporting whales, mostly the grey whales. We're learning a lot about them, their lifestyle, migration, and dangers that they face from humans. Even though they're not actively hunted as much as they used to, our nets and plastic, and all the rubbish in the ocean causes death to many of them.

Rio's favourite whale is White Beak, who was also the favourite whale of his mum. One day they lost track of her, she's not seen across the coast as she supposed to be... Rio and Marina decides to go and find her and rescue her, if needed.

What a heartwarming story. Gives me so my hope that younger generations will be better than we are, if they're raised reading the books about the environmental impact, and they'll make better decisions that adults make currently.

I loved The Last Bear very much so I couldn’t wait to dive into “The Lost Whale" by Hannah Gold. As soon as you begin reading you know that this is going to be an emotional and heartwarming story, the beautiful writing and compassionate text in the first couple of chapters sets the scene for the rest of the book.

This inspiring story is about a young boy called Rio who has been sent to California to stay with his grandmother as his mother is struggling with depression back home in England. He is understandably missing her, but before long he connects with the local whales, and in particular White Beak, with whom he forms a strong bond. When White Beak goes missing Rio and his friend Marina are determined to locate him.

Overall, "The Lost Whale" is a beautifully written and deeply moving book. It very much captures your emotions and demonstrates the ways in which our actions can impact even the largest and most majestic of creatures.

Gold has crafted a powerful narrative that is both educational and emotional, her emphasis on the importance of preserving the natural world is a message that comes across strongly, and aspires to show us we can all play a part in saving our wonderful world. I highly recommend this book for readers of all ages.

Thank you to Netgalley, Harper Collins UK and Hannah Gold for a copy of this book in return for an open and honest review.

The Lost Whale made me cry, but not in a bad way. This children’s novel will pack a punch for any age of reader, and it’s an amazing read.

The Lost Whale follows Rio, sent to live with his grandmother in California whilst his mum is hospitalised due to her mental health. Rio is confused, lost, and lonely — until he meets Marina, whose dad runs whale-watching trips. It is on one of these trips that Rio meets White Beak, a grey whale who had been the subject of his mum’s sketchbook years ago. Entranced, Rio feels an instant connection with White Beak — but when the whale goes missing, he feels that finding her may just help heal his mum.

This was a poignant story and touches on many themes — motherhood, absent mothers, family, found family, whales, conservation, ocean advocacy, mental health, child carers, friendships, climate change, pollution, and so much more. Beautifully illustrated by Levi Pinfold, this is an absolute gem of a book which my cetacean-loving heart thoroughly enjoyed. It’s a perfect companion to Gold’s previous book, The Last Bear, and I believe that she has more in a similar vein on the way. Highly, highly recommended.

I received an e-ARC from the publisher, HarperCollins UK, through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Rio is unexpectedly sent to stay with his Grandma in California when his mum has to go into hospital. He doesn’t know his grandma, Fran, and struggles to connect with her at first but they soon find a common ground in White Beak – a whale his mother spotted and drew many times when she was growing up there.

But when White Beak drops off the trackers, Rio is determined to find her and convinces new friend Marina to help find her…

What I loved about this, as with Hannah’s first book, The Last Bear (you can read my review here) is the bond between child and animal. Animals and children, it’s commonly suggested, have a natural sort of affinity and these books really take that and run with it.

Again we see how it’s not just Rio helping White Beak, but we also see how the whale – and the ocean and outdoors in general – help Rio to deal with being apart from his mother; to face up to her illness; and to let go a little of the anxiety and burdens that come with his role as carer and worrier.

I loved the way there was a human friendship built into this story too, and Marina was a brilliant character. I also really loved the way Rio’s grandma and Marina’s dad were part of things; those of you who know me will know I love a story where the adults are present, trustworthy, supportive rather than absent or ignorant, and this does this brilliantly. And the way Rio and his grandma develop a relationship is so well done too – gradual, believable and emotive.

I also think the way Hannah sensitively and naturally includes information about the threats to our oceans and ways that the characters, and by extension us, can/do help is so important. There’s strong environmental themes running through both of these books, which feel timely, urgent and necessary, but never do they veer into the self-righteous or preachy.

The whales themselves are written and drawn with magic, awe and wonder. It was breath-taking to read of spotting them, let alone doing it for real!

With its vivid setting, and strong themes of family, friendship and the environment this very much feels like Hannah’s work, but we’re taken somewhere completely new with a character, scenario setting that are about as far from The Last Bear’s Arctic as we could get.

It’s another beautiful, important and thoroughly enjoyable book with yet more stunning illustrations from Levi Pinfold which complement the text perfectly. Nature lovers definitely have a new favourite author-illustrator combo to keep their eyes on here!

The Lost Whale by Hannah Gold is an absolutely gorgeous story. Heartfelt and authentic from the off, I fell in love with the characters including the magnificent whales, and felt a renewed passion for the ocean.
I can't help thinking if I had read this aged 9 or 10 it would have sparked a desire in me to work as a marine biologist or similar, and certainly to join the cause of the whales. It inspires me to do the latter now anyway!
It makes you want to go out there and see the magnificence of the ocean with your own eyes, and Hannah Gold captures this so well. The beauty, the sounds, the salt in the air and on your skin and the sensation of utter peace within nature.
It's a really stunning read with such a lot of complex emotion and reality going on too. After being a carer for his mother most of his life, Rio's concern and love for her is a constant as he is forced to leave her and go stay with his Grandmother thousands of miles from home. Even as he allows himself to enjoy Ocean Bay it is his mother's wellbeing that drives him. It is so touching and authentic – all his hopes and fears are beautifully captured and the narrative deals with the reality of mental illness with sensitivity.

This is a well achieved sequel to The Last Bear. Another simple tale that holds so much within it, not least a call to action to look after our planet and understand our power to do so if we work together, one small step at a time.

I highly recommend this to middle grade readers young and old, if you loved The Last Bear, you're in for a treat!

A truly wild & wonderful book that will warm any nature-loving heart.

Absorbing writing perfectly complemented by majestic illustration makes for an inspirationally spellbinding read. Full of bravery, hope and humanity's ethereal connection to the planet.

Like a breath of ocean air, this book is refreshing, thrilling and soothing all at once. An absolute treat for all ages, with an essential message for our times.

Following up her bestselling and award winning novel, The Last Bear, must have seemed like a daunting task but The Lost Whale lives up to the task.

Gold writes animals and the natural world in ways that highlight both the strangeness of wild animals and the deep bond humans can have with the natural world is they do not close themselves off to it. There is a fragility in White Beak and the other whales which is echoed in the human characters and both become stronger in their connection to one another. Gold's environmentalist narrative is raw a truthful without sounding preachy or distancing the reader from the heart of the story.

Rio's tale has less direct interaction with the whale character than in The Last Bear- as you can imagine- but this doesn't lessen the bond between boy and whale.

The novel covers hard topics with sensitivity and heart-breaking strength. Truely a beautiful story.

Levi Pinfold's illustrations were unfortunately not in my proof copy but they are sure to be a evocative as The Last Bear.

Many thanks to the publisher for sending me a proof copy to review.

Thank you to the publishers for this early review copy.
I absolutely adored The Last Bear so I knew this book was going to have tough competition from Hannah's debut - but I can confirm that she has once again knocked it out of the park!
The Lost Whale is an absolutely fabulous read!
It looks at family, mental health, friendship, the power of the individual, the environment and of course whales.
This is a book I shall be more than happy to shout about and recommend.
So if you haven't read The Last Bear I encourage you to read it now and pre order The Lost Whale.
Completely recommended it's going to make a big splash when it lands in bookshops!

What a wonderful, gorgeously illustrated book. If you know any kid obsessed with whales, they'll love this story. I'm an adult obsessed with whales and I couldn't help but love this.
I also think it's the first time I've ever read a book with a main character whose mother has serious mental health issues - it's pretty ground-breaking.
The Lost Whale and The Last Bear are two of the most beautiful children's books ever published. I can't wait to see what Hannah Gold publishes next.