The Star Whale

"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 Horáček’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 Horáček’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 Horáček 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 Magazi