The Night Whale
Bryner Mackenzie and Gillian Eilidh O’Mara
Walker Books

A grandmother and granddaughter sit beneath the stars looking skywards at the patterns and hoping to see the Night Whale, a truly magical creature of the night that Nana hasn’t seen since she was a child.
Then lo and behold, swimming majestically amongst the stars she comes, greeting Nana like a long lost friend. Woman on the cliff and majestic whale in the sky dance, connected, despite it being winter, by a warming breeze.

With the Night Whale’s consent, the two mount on her back and with a whistle, whoosh! They ascend, travelling over seas and forest trees, towns and cities all a-twinkle, as far as the Northern Lights

keeping one another company all the while, until Nana whispers that it’s time to go home. Knowing that their stargazing and night sky painting adventure together is coming to an end, Nana and the child embrace as they look towards the beautiful hues above.

With Nana and the Night Whale’s reassurance that “Anything is possible” this tender, lyrically told tale with Gillian Elide O’Mara’s awesome illustrations offers readers much to ponder upon concerning the enormity of the universe, intergenerational relationships and farewells.