A Whale's Tale — Richard Marman

A Whale's Tale is the story of Wave and Web, two teenage turtles living happily in the waters around Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Their only real worry is dodging tiger sharks, which they seem to be managing pretty well until one day they're confronted by an even bigger marine creature that turns out to be a juvenile humpback whale called Davo. He tells them of his adventures on the annual whale migration from Antarctica to warmer, tropical waters. He explains how they must risk encounters with large sharks and orcas and worse still - human whalers. Finally Davo must continue his journey northwards and leaves the turtles to ponder the wonder of such an enormous gentle giant before they return to the safety of the reef that protects them from predators. The book is brilliantly illustrated with colourful images that are not only humorous, but also challenges the need and justification for whaling in the 21st Century. As with the prequel, A Tale of Two Turtles, Richard Marman's narration is fast and amusing, making enjoyable and thought-provoking reading for children and adults alike.