Fluke

by Lesley Gibbes, Michelle Dawson (Illustrations)

In 2012, a southern right whale gave birth to a calf in Sydney Harbour, and the people of Sydney were entranced.

In 2012, a southern right whale gave birth to a calf in Sydney Harbour. It was only the third time in recorded history that a southern right whale had been born in the harbour, and the people of Sydney were entranced.

The story of Fluke is based on this event.

Lesley Gibbes' text captures the excitement, joy and awe that the presence of these magnificent mammals create among the citizens of Sydney, while Michelle Dawson's tender illustrations bring the character of Fluke and his rich underwater world to life.

32 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 2019

Reviews

[Tessa Wooldridge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fluke is based on the true story of a southern right whale born in Sydney Harbour in 2012. When the calf becomes separated from its mother, a community effort helps reunite the two whales.

In 2018 Fluke won the Royal Zoological Society of NSW Whitley Award for Best Book in the Young Children’s Book category. It was also shortlisted in the Picture Fiction category for The Wilderness Society Environment Award for Children’s Literature.

3.5★

Teachers’ notes for Fluke are available from the publisher, Harper Collins.

For more whaled-themed picture books for children, see my blog post Whales in Picture Books.

[Freddie D · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love any book set in my native Sydney, and this true story is so wonderful that I would probably love it regardless. The illustrations are lovely and perfectly capture the harbour landscape. The writing is done well and it's especially fun to read the whale sounds of Fluke and his mama, which reminded me of Dory from Finding Nemo.

[Bobbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Touching story with plenty of whale facts thrown in

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple but charming. It's nice when humans and wildlife can have peaceful interactions.