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In the World of Whales
Plunge deep into the awe-inspiring true story of a freediver’s encounter with a newborn sperm whale and its family.
When a freediver (one who dives without the benefit of oxygen) slips underwater, he encounters a pod of sperm whales so close he can almost touch them. When he sees blood in the water, he wonders if there's been an injury. When he comes even closer, what he finds instead is a moments-old calf, skin wrinkly and tail fluke still folded from the womb.
The calf’s family nudges it up to breathe; nudges it toward each member of the pod, by way of introduction; and then it happens—the mother nudges her child toward the diver, inviting him, too, to share in the family moment.
Told from the vantage point of Belgian freediver Fred Buyle, who with his diving partner Kurt Amsler are the only people known to be present at the birth of a sperm whale, In the World of Whales features lyrical-yet-precise text by Michelle Cusolito and dreamlike illustrations by Jessica Lanan, creator of the Sibert Honor book Jumper: A Day in the Life of a Backyard Jumping Spider. Any child who dreams of speaking to animals will adore this proof of humanity’s bond with the wild world. At the end of the story, find more information about freediving and whales.
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
When a freediver (one who dives without the benefit of oxygen) slips underwater, he encounters a pod of sperm whales so close he can almost touch them. When he sees blood in the water, he wonders if there's been an injury. When he comes even closer, what he finds instead is a moments-old calf, skin wrinkly and tail fluke still folded from the womb.
The calf’s family nudges it up to breathe; nudges it toward each member of the pod, by way of introduction; and then it happens—the mother nudges her child toward the diver, inviting him, too, to share in the family moment.
Told from the vantage point of Belgian freediver Fred Buyle, who with his diving partner Kurt Amsler are the only people known to be present at the birth of a sperm whale, In the World of Whales features lyrical-yet-precise text by Michelle Cusolito and dreamlike illustrations by Jessica Lanan, creator of the Sibert Honor book Jumper: A Day in the Life of a Backyard Jumping Spider. Any child who dreams of speaking to animals will adore this proof of humanity’s bond with the wild world. At the end of the story, find more information about freediving and whales.
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
52 pages, Hardcover
Published June 17, 2025
2 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Cusolito
7 books19 followersAuthor. Educator. Public Speaker. Science Communicator.
Michelle Cusolito is the award-winning author of Flying Deep: Climb Inside Deep-Sea Submersible ALVIN and Diving Deep: Using Machines to Explore the Ocean. She joined a three-week research expedition to the North Atlantic with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution to research for A Window into the Ocean Twilight Zone: Twenty-Four Days of Science at Sea. That expedition fueled her love of science communication and being at sea. Jellyfish Scientist: Maude Delap and Her Mesmerizing Medusas and In the World of Whales publish in 2025. Michelle dreams of swimming with whale sharks one day. www.michellecusolito.com
Michelle Cusolito is the award-winning author of Flying Deep: Climb Inside Deep-Sea Submersible ALVIN and Diving Deep: Using Machines to Explore the Ocean. She joined a three-week research expedition to the North Atlantic with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution to research for A Window into the Ocean Twilight Zone: Twenty-Four Days of Science at Sea. That expedition fueled her love of science communication and being at sea. Jellyfish Scientist: Maude Delap and Her Mesmerizing Medusas and In the World of Whales publish in 2025. Michelle dreams of swimming with whale sharks one day. www.michellecusolito.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
July 8, 2025
What a beautiful story of a man who got to meet a baby sperm whale! Really cool! I was going to complain about the size of the diver's fins (they seemed ridiculously big), but it turns out that freediver fins actually are longer than scuba fins, so I guess I learned something new today!
November 5, 2025
Not only did I learn about Sperm Whales and their babies , but also learned about free diving. This text is based on a true story of a free diver who was lucky enough to be present for the birth of a sperm whale. Gorgeous water color illustrations capture the serene feeling of this nonfiction picture book.
September 22, 2025
Gorgeously illustrated ( Jessica Lanan, she of Jumper: A Day in the Life of a Backyard Jumping Spider), this is a lyrical, slow exploration of one day of free diving with sperm whales and the first sighting of the birth of a sperm whale. The lyrical text is slowed down and punctuated by the diver's return to the surface to breathe and the baby whale's first breaths aided by adult whales. There is back matter with more information about sperm whales, an author and illustrator note but throughout we learn about these whales, their communication and community.
July 9, 2025
Based on a true story! Beautiful illustrations and the birth of a sperm whale. Free divers are amazing! I could never hold my breath that long or swim to the depths they can.
November 15, 2025
In this case the author's note reveals that her choice of voice was intentional. TWO free-dive partners submerge together, practicing the safe steps and training that allowed them to experience and share so much of life beneath the surface. The narrative makes the partnership clear, as do the illustrations. Despite that, as these immersive (no joke intended) and stunning events unfold, the narrative voice accomplishes an impressive revelation of a single diver as he witnesses and actually interacts following the rare event of a sperm whale birth. The experiences were fully recorded, but even after watching several of their remarkable videos I found this picture book was able to include me in the experience in a more powerful way.
Even a summary of this book is impressive. Free divers and their crew notice a clan of sperm whales that suddenly submerge. The divers with cameras enter the deep, seeing a circle of sperm whales surrounding a mother whale as she has recently given birth. Dependent on repeated surfacing and dive cycles, the divers manage to convey their interest without intrusion, mimicking the fluid movement patterns of whales. In successive pages readers share those observations and patterns, the whales' tolerance and then acceptance of human presence at this most vulnerable of moments. After the final resurface, the divers leave, forever changed. A double spread scientific drawing of a sprem whale with annotated labels is informative and intriguing, followed by two more pages about free diving and whales, books and resources. One final turn provides a breathtaking photographic image as well as notes by both the author and the illustrator.
Both narrative and illustrations provide readers with a sense of participation. The narrative pattern makes the vulnerability of free diving real by dividing this overall event into segments of holding one's breath. The diver lifts his backside and plunges deeply, observes, then returns to the surface to breathe out-breathe in-return to the deep. In each case I sensed the compulsion to stay under longer, the lungs demanding air, the frustration of turning away from a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The illustrations are so watery, wistful, and wondrous that I held my breath between those resurfacing pages. Perspective and relative size played a part in the drama, but so did the text that manages to convey a multi-sensory engagement, including the clicks and vibrations, the varied pitch and the manner of approach of the whales to these tiny creatures, these human observers. The text is careful not to assign emotions or meanings to the actions of the whales, but does suggest potentials.
When anyone is asked about moments in life that change them forever, a birth in the family often makes the list, usually leads it. That's true for mothers, fathers, grandparents, and more. The birth of any new life is a jaw-dropping experience, from litters of puppies to calves and even to the emergence of a monarch butterfly from its chrysalis. In this case, though, the undeniable intelligence, community, and communication among and from this clan of whales is all the more impressive since it has never before been directly witnessed by humans.
Don't miss out on your chance to experience it yourself.
If you are on Facebook or Instagram, you may want to subscribe to FRED BUYLE's feeds to view more videos of this and other wonders of undersea life. Unless we fill our knowledge gaps, and increase our wonder-capacity, regulation alone will not insure their preservation.
Even a summary of this book is impressive. Free divers and their crew notice a clan of sperm whales that suddenly submerge. The divers with cameras enter the deep, seeing a circle of sperm whales surrounding a mother whale as she has recently given birth. Dependent on repeated surfacing and dive cycles, the divers manage to convey their interest without intrusion, mimicking the fluid movement patterns of whales. In successive pages readers share those observations and patterns, the whales' tolerance and then acceptance of human presence at this most vulnerable of moments. After the final resurface, the divers leave, forever changed. A double spread scientific drawing of a sprem whale with annotated labels is informative and intriguing, followed by two more pages about free diving and whales, books and resources. One final turn provides a breathtaking photographic image as well as notes by both the author and the illustrator.
Both narrative and illustrations provide readers with a sense of participation. The narrative pattern makes the vulnerability of free diving real by dividing this overall event into segments of holding one's breath. The diver lifts his backside and plunges deeply, observes, then returns to the surface to breathe out-breathe in-return to the deep. In each case I sensed the compulsion to stay under longer, the lungs demanding air, the frustration of turning away from a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The illustrations are so watery, wistful, and wondrous that I held my breath between those resurfacing pages. Perspective and relative size played a part in the drama, but so did the text that manages to convey a multi-sensory engagement, including the clicks and vibrations, the varied pitch and the manner of approach of the whales to these tiny creatures, these human observers. The text is careful not to assign emotions or meanings to the actions of the whales, but does suggest potentials.
When anyone is asked about moments in life that change them forever, a birth in the family often makes the list, usually leads it. That's true for mothers, fathers, grandparents, and more. The birth of any new life is a jaw-dropping experience, from litters of puppies to calves and even to the emergence of a monarch butterfly from its chrysalis. In this case, though, the undeniable intelligence, community, and communication among and from this clan of whales is all the more impressive since it has never before been directly witnessed by humans.
Don't miss out on your chance to experience it yourself.
If you are on Facebook or Instagram, you may want to subscribe to FRED BUYLE's feeds to view more videos of this and other wonders of undersea life. Unless we fill our knowledge gaps, and increase our wonder-capacity, regulation alone will not insure their preservation.
November 12, 2025
This true story relates how, in 2014, a Belgian freediver (i.e., one who dives without the benefit of oxygen) was able to swim with a sperm whale pod right after the birth of a calf.
As Fred Buyle (the diver, who was accompanied by Kurt Amsler who took pictures) later described the incident/a>:
“. . . this morning was just unbelievable: I got in with a socializing pod of sperm whales, and the reason of that big whale party was that a mother just gave birth to a calf a few minutes before . . . the water was still full of blood and the calf has part of its umbilical! For 30min we were in the middle of the celebration, feeling part of it, the mother was showing the calf to all the 20 others whales and even brought it to us!!!!”
In the book, Cusolito uses a verse-like format. She explained, “I wanted to write this lyrically because the whole experience felt beautiful and poetic to me. I knew my language choices could enhance those feelings for readers.”
In the text on a double-page spread showing Buyle and the whale looking at each other, you can see how her choice of style dramatizes the extraordinary uniqueness of the meeting between these two vastly different species of mammals:
“The free diver watches the whales.
The whales watch the free diver.
They consider each other,
eyes wide with wonder.
Who’s studying whom?”
The action in the book takes place almost entirely underwater, as reflected by Jessica Lanan’s blue-dominated watercolor and ink illustrations. She said in an interview she “was less interested in faithfully recreating the video footage and more interested in exploring emotions such as awe, wonder, and danger.”
At the end of the story, the author includes a detailed drawing of the sperm whale’s anatomy, and references and links to more information about both freediving and whales.
Evaluation: Cusolito and Lanan convey the magic of Buyle’s unique contact as well as the majesty and grace of the whales that mankind almost drove to extinction before commercial whaling was banned in the US. But, as Cusolito reports, even after 40 years of protection, sperm whales are still considered to be endangered. Hopefully the readers of this book (suggested age is 4 and over) will gain an appreciation for these generous and friendly creatures who allowed humans to share this important moment with them.
As Fred Buyle (the diver, who was accompanied by Kurt Amsler who took pictures) later described the incident/a>:
“. . . this morning was just unbelievable: I got in with a socializing pod of sperm whales, and the reason of that big whale party was that a mother just gave birth to a calf a few minutes before . . . the water was still full of blood and the calf has part of its umbilical! For 30min we were in the middle of the celebration, feeling part of it, the mother was showing the calf to all the 20 others whales and even brought it to us!!!!”
In the book, Cusolito uses a verse-like format. She explained, “I wanted to write this lyrically because the whole experience felt beautiful and poetic to me. I knew my language choices could enhance those feelings for readers.”
In the text on a double-page spread showing Buyle and the whale looking at each other, you can see how her choice of style dramatizes the extraordinary uniqueness of the meeting between these two vastly different species of mammals:
“The free diver watches the whales.
The whales watch the free diver.
They consider each other,
eyes wide with wonder.
Who’s studying whom?”
The action in the book takes place almost entirely underwater, as reflected by Jessica Lanan’s blue-dominated watercolor and ink illustrations. She said in an interview she “was less interested in faithfully recreating the video footage and more interested in exploring emotions such as awe, wonder, and danger.”
At the end of the story, the author includes a detailed drawing of the sperm whale’s anatomy, and references and links to more information about both freediving and whales.
Evaluation: Cusolito and Lanan convey the magic of Buyle’s unique contact as well as the majesty and grace of the whales that mankind almost drove to extinction before commercial whaling was banned in the US. But, as Cusolito reports, even after 40 years of protection, sperm whales are still considered to be endangered. Hopefully the readers of this book (suggested age is 4 and over) will gain an appreciation for these generous and friendly creatures who allowed humans to share this important moment with them.
July 9, 2025
Based on the experience of two free divers, this is a book about an amazing event, the birth of a sperm whale. The diving pair, Fred Buyle and Kurt Amsler, are the only people known to have been "welcomed" at the birth of a sperm whale. Not only were the divers not shooed away, but it seemed the mother was showing off the new baby to them. This book was written and illustrated to share that amazing event, and I think it does it beautifully.
The author and illustrator did a lot of research while developing the book. Additionally, they went even further; the author had a friend who is a free diving instructor to fact-check the manuscript, and the illustrator got their scuba certification and went diving so they could more accurately convey the visuals of diving (they said they were "neither brave nor athletic enough to learn how to free dive," but their effort and attention to detail is still admirable).
There is quite a bit of text, so this would probably work best in a storytime with upper elementary or middle schoolers.
The author and illustrator did a lot of research while developing the book. Additionally, they went even further; the author had a friend who is a free diving instructor to fact-check the manuscript, and the illustrator got their scuba certification and went diving so they could more accurately convey the visuals of diving (they said they were "neither brave nor athletic enough to learn how to free dive," but their effort and attention to detail is still admirable).
There is quite a bit of text, so this would probably work best in a storytime with upper elementary or middle schoolers.
September 10, 2025
IN THE WORLD OF WHALES delivers on its titular promise, as reading it is a completely immersive experience. The text draws you in immediately with its lyrical, accessible, and sensory rich language, which matches the movements of the free diver, from whose perspective we are witnessing. The pacing-which flows as effortlessly as the free diver diving deep and resurfacing as needed for another breath, paired with expertly selected details highlighting a whale birth and the community of whales celebrating and nursing the newborn into the world, is exquisite. The illustrations are absolutely masterful— full of movement, varied perspectives, vantage points, and hues (which, given the subject and setting, is incredible (but not surprising considering her previous work!) that she was able to accomplish). All at once, it delivers realistic rendering that is expertly researched, and also magical and captivating. The back matter is equally as rich and intriguing, making this book an absolute stunner.
October 7, 2025
Based on the singular experience of Belgian free diver Fred Buyle, this picture book [3.5 for me!] depicts the astonishing, awe-inspiring moments after the birth of a sperm whale. Witnessed by Buyle and his diving partner, who doesn't play a large part in this story, the whale calf is introduced to other whales, who help it rise to the surface in order to breathe. As the diver goes back and forth from the water to its surface in order to take in some air, it seems as though the whales are communicating with him and even observing him, just as he's been observing them. Cognizant of the special experience he's been granted, he is moved, silent, and "forever changed" by what he's witnessed of these magnificent mammals. Created with watercolor and Chinese ink, the striking, blue-filled illustrations give close-ups of the whales, the sea, and the diver as he blends in, becoming part of the whales' world, just as the book's readers may feel that they, too, are. Add this one to a collection alongside other excellent books about whales, Whale Fall and Life after Whale.
October 31, 2025
This book relays the true story of a free diver, Fred Buyle, witnessing a sperm whale birth. Cusolito shares the amazing first moments of a whale birth and how the pod supports the mother and calf. Just as the diver needs to surface to breathe, helper female whales “nudge the baby upward” for puffs of air. Then, the mother presents her baby to the other whales in the community.
Lanan’s soft and ethereal illustrations bring the reader into the underwater world. The pictures look like watercolor with added pen and ink details. Lanan is particularly adept at showing how sunlight dapples across waves and streams gently underwater. The book concludes with a detailed anatomy of a whale, information about free diving, whale facts, additional resources, and a photo of a diver with sleeping whales. This book left me in awe and wanting to learn more about these majestic animals! Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
Lanan’s soft and ethereal illustrations bring the reader into the underwater world. The pictures look like watercolor with added pen and ink details. Lanan is particularly adept at showing how sunlight dapples across waves and streams gently underwater. The book concludes with a detailed anatomy of a whale, information about free diving, whale facts, additional resources, and a photo of a diver with sleeping whales. This book left me in awe and wanting to learn more about these majestic animals! Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
August 28, 2025
Sperm whales have one of the loudest "voices" of the sea and are in general one of the coolest whale species, so in this nonfiction picture book, readers can get up close to the sperm whales because one of the mothers just birthed a calf. To see the rest of the clan (I always thought the group was called a pod but scientists use clan) do what they do-- as the mother rests after birth, the others help the baby calf up to the surface to breath (sperm whales can be underwater for about 90 minutes at a time).
The free diver, needing to surface and dive back again, is able to spend time during this process, seemingly blending in in a sense. While the calf is being introduced to the clan, it also is introduced to the diver too in a reverential experience getting this close to nature.
The vivid blues of the picture book are as phenomenal as the story told and includes a bit of backmatter on sperm whales like their anatomy and that they sleep the least of all mammals!
The free diver, needing to surface and dive back again, is able to spend time during this process, seemingly blending in in a sense. While the calf is being introduced to the clan, it also is introduced to the diver too in a reverential experience getting this close to nature.
The vivid blues of the picture book are as phenomenal as the story told and includes a bit of backmatter on sperm whales like their anatomy and that they sleep the least of all mammals!
November 2, 2025
This is the story of a free dive with sperm whales where one diver was introduced to a new baby calf by it's mother. The reality of free diving and needing to breathe at the surface, suck in air, remove your snorkel as you descend and the respect you must have for the world of creatures under the sea is part of this story, though the text is simple. There is a double page pull out spread at one point (which won't last well in my elementary school) that is perfectly placed in the awesome point of the story. There is the return to the surface. The magnificent illustrations by Jessica Lanan left me awe inspired. I loved the back matter, as well. I often spend much time on backmatter with my students and this will be no exception.
I revisited this book more than once as it is that interesting.
I revisited this book more than once as it is that interesting.
April 4, 2025
When, in real life, Fred Buyle and Kurt Amsler were present shortly after the birth of a sperm whale, they were in awe. In this book, readers come along with Fred as he freedives amongst a pod of sperm whales. He is surprised to find that a calf has just been born. Readers engage in the experience when the whales communicate using clicks and when the whales push the newborn to the surface to breathe air. Then, in a profound moment of trust and friendship, the mother pushes the newborn towards Fred as if to introduce him. In this fascinating true story, readers are immersed in a magical but real world and are left with appreciation and wonder. Gorgeous illustrations help to illuminate this story of whale and human. The story leaves me reflecting on all our world has to offer.
July 27, 2025
Just a delightful, thoughtful book that recounts a real-life encounter a free diver had with a group of sperm whales. The illustrations and simple story illustrate the majesty of the creatures and just how special this encounter was. The information at the end of the book all about sperm whales is fascinating and only adds to the mystery of these creatures. A great read for all ages.
Find it in our SHARE Catalog today!
Ashley C. / Milton Public Library #CheckOutMPL
Find it in our SHARE Catalog today!
Ashley C. / Milton Public Library #CheckOutMPL
July 29, 2025
An incredible story about a diver and a friend who happened to be at the right place and the right time with the tools needed to share this experience with others.
Kurt Buyle and Kurt Amsler get to see the birth of a sperm whale. The illustrations show the wonder of it all and the experience they had getting to meet the calf and the group of sperm whales.
The illustrations are awesome! There is a fold-out spread that is amazing.
The diagrams and the information at the end are really good for kids who have more questions.
I love the line: He rides home in silence, forever changed.
Kurt Buyle and Kurt Amsler get to see the birth of a sperm whale. The illustrations show the wonder of it all and the experience they had getting to meet the calf and the group of sperm whales.
The illustrations are awesome! There is a fold-out spread that is amazing.
The diagrams and the information at the end are really good for kids who have more questions.
I love the line: He rides home in silence, forever changed.
August 9, 2025
In this gorgeously written and illustrated picture book, we are transported down, down, down with a free diver to witness a sperm whale giving birth and the special family dynamics of this magnificent creature. Just like the author (see her note) this true, magical encounter between a human and whales gave me chills. Readers will be inspired to look for and embrace those special, rare moments when they can be one with nature. The back matter offers excellent information about whale anatomy, free diving, and the history of whale hunting. And I thoroughly enjoyed learning about Cusolito and Lanan’s personal connections to whales and this story.
August 10, 2025
I found this mesmerizing and without giving anything away, there was a moment when I gasped aloud. Beautiful on both the part of the author and the illustrator.
Recommend reading aloud in K-2nd. This would also be a good mentor text for writing workshop in grades 3-5.
PARTNER THIS WITH -
*A BOOK ABOUT ANOTHER ENCOUNTER BETWEEN HUMAN DIVERS AND A WHALE
- Trapped! A Whale's Rescue
*BOOKS THAT CONTINUE THE JOURNEY OF LEARNING ABOUT a variety of WHALES (via books perfect for reading aloud)
- The Blue Whale by Desmond
-Narwhal: Unicorn of the Arctic by Fleming & So'Oteh
Recommend reading aloud in K-2nd. This would also be a good mentor text for writing workshop in grades 3-5.
PARTNER THIS WITH -
*A BOOK ABOUT ANOTHER ENCOUNTER BETWEEN HUMAN DIVERS AND A WHALE
- Trapped! A Whale's Rescue
*BOOKS THAT CONTINUE THE JOURNEY OF LEARNING ABOUT a variety of WHALES (via books perfect for reading aloud)
- The Blue Whale by Desmond
-Narwhal: Unicorn of the Arctic by Fleming & So'Oteh
February 18, 2025
I am grateful to have been granted access to the digital review copy of IN THE WORLD OF WHALES written by Michelle Cusolito and illustrated by Jessica Lanan. This fiction picture book is a winner. The lyrical nature of Cusolito's heartfelt text and Lanan's ocean-blue hues birthed a soon-to-be classic. In my opinion, all public and school libraries, science classrooms, and homes will want to own this beautiful book. Each scene pulled me in and had me cheering for the mother and calf and their supportive whale community. I highly recommend IN THE WORLD OF WHALES.
August 9, 2025
In the World of Whales invites readers to dive under the sea for a unique experience, the birth of a sperm whale, an event seldom witnessed by man. You will see the event through the eyes of a free diver and feel the awe to be present, hold your breath as other whales come closer for a look, and the ultimate introduction. Based on a real event, Michelle Cusolito's text brings the story to life while putting readers into the action. Readers will be changed by the experience and find an even greater appreciation for the world of whales.
August 14, 2025
3 stars (I liked it)
Honestly, I probably would have given this book 2 stars (it was okay) if it wasn't for the gorgeous illustrations. I just didn't like the way the story of the baby whale was told with the free diver. I feel like focusing on him took away from the whale's story. I'm also probably biased because I'm a SCUBA diver (who hates snorkeling) so I wanted him to have a dang tank haha.
But yes, it is a beautiful story about a free diver coming across a newborn sperm whale and its clan.
Honestly, I probably would have given this book 2 stars (it was okay) if it wasn't for the gorgeous illustrations. I just didn't like the way the story of the baby whale was told with the free diver. I feel like focusing on him took away from the whale's story. I'm also probably biased because I'm a SCUBA diver (who hates snorkeling) so I wanted him to have a dang tank haha.
But yes, it is a beautiful story about a free diver coming across a newborn sperm whale and its clan.
October 11, 2025
In this juvenile nonfiction picture book, Cusolito has a way with words and evoking the wonder of whales. Witness to the birth of a baby sperm whale, this story recounts a true account of free diver Fred Buyle, who with his diving partner Kurt Amsler, is one of the first known humans to be present for the birth of a sperm whale.
A fascinating story, the illustrations and languid, poetry format draw you right into the water, along with the diver. Miraculous whales, what wonder!
Themes: whales, wonder
Ages: 2nd-5th+ grade/all ages
Pub year: 2025
A fascinating story, the illustrations and languid, poetry format draw you right into the water, along with the diver. Miraculous whales, what wonder!
Themes: whales, wonder
Ages: 2nd-5th+ grade/all ages
Pub year: 2025
December 12, 2025
In the World of Whales is the breath-taking true story of a free diver who was present at the birth of a sperm whale. Told in short episodes interspersed with break for air, the narrative flows gently through the tentative introduction of a newborn calf to a human observer. The interaction is beautifully illustrated in soft aqua tones perfectly encapsulating the audience in the underwater environment. The text and images flow naturally like the event they portray.
This is absolutely one of a kind!
This is absolutely one of a kind!
May 30, 2025
In the World of Whales gives readers a glimpse into the miraculous birth of a baby sperm whale, as seen by a free diver. Based on a true story, Cusolito brings the scene to life with simple, lyrical language and sensory details, while Lanan’s gorgeous illustrations create a real sense of the size of these whales and the close bond of clan members. Thorough back matter gives additional information on free diving, sperm whale anatomy, the history of whaling, and more. Highly recommended!
September 23, 2025
Whales are a favorite of mine and this title based on an actual happening observed by a “free diver” was the birth of a sperm whale. To see that in reality in the ocean would be incredible. I enjoyed the story and how the free diver needs to come to the surface for air. And of the knowledge that the baby was born wrinkled with a folded fluke and see in later illustrations the baby has stretched out and the fluke unfolded was a delight. There is additional material about free diving as well as whales and plenty of additional references. My favorite illustration is the double color page spread of the anatomy of a whale with information boxes for specific parts.
November 3, 2025
It's easy to see why this one has six starred reviews!
I checked out the photos and videos via the links in the backmatter, and they're absolutely incredible. I do wish there had been a note in the backmatter noting that the boat stopped 100 m from the whales, and care was taken in filming them, in addition to the crew having special authorization from the local authorities. All this *was* noted in the video, but marine mammal harassment is absolutely an issue.
I checked out the photos and videos via the links in the backmatter, and they're absolutely incredible. I do wish there had been a note in the backmatter noting that the boat stopped 100 m from the whales, and care was taken in filming them, in addition to the crew having special authorization from the local authorities. All this *was* noted in the video, but marine mammal harassment is absolutely an issue.
November 5, 2025
What would it be like to free dive with whales? Dive into this picture book to explore the ocean with a free diver. This encounter with sperm whales is based on a true story of Belgian free diver Fred Buyle. Beautiful poetic language and gentle, watery illustrations paint a picture for you of this breath-taking experience. Backmatter shares more about the anatomy of sperm whales and a little about free diving with plenty of suggested resources to learn more.
March 26, 2025
Wow, this simple and beautiful book packs quite an emotional punch! The words and pictures bring readers in close to experience a free diver’s incredible encounter with sperm whales. The back matter adds extra meaning to the text, with more information about the whales, free diving, and the real-life free divers that the story is based on. Highly recommended for young readers and their adults.
August 6, 2025
This book was a meditative experience. Beautifully written, with the most immersive illustrations, the reader is taken directly into the world of whales coming together for a birth. Using the freediver to tell the story, punctuated by his going to the surface to breathe - works beautifully.
Highly recommend.
Highly recommend.
August 24, 2025
A top-notch picture book in every way. Based on a true story, we get to witness the live birth of a sperm whale along with the free diver who was there. The illustrations are captivating. Great back matter to supplement and extend the learning. I'll be building a unit on whales and this is a keeper!
October 17, 2025
In the World of Whales is a lovely children's book written by Michelle Cusolito and illustrated by Jessica Lanan. It chronicles the birth and introduction of a newborn sperm whale to its whale family and the diver observing the event. The illustrations by Lanan catch the moments that Cusolito describes. Their perfect collaboration produced a book that is children's nonfiction at its best.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews