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The Whale Who Wanted More

By Rachel Bright

Part of the The World of Rachel Bright & Jim Field series

Humphrey gathers ocean treasures, but discovers something surprising is missing.

heartwarming rhyming engaging illustrative

Pageticker community rating

Average score: 4.79

From 29 readers

What do our readers think of The Whale Who Wanted More? (Generated from the text of reviews of the book)

Children enjoy the colourful illustrations, lively rhymes and charming sea creatures, with some young children wanting to hear the story again and again. They also respond warmly to its message that friendship, kindness and sharing can bring more happiness than having lots of things.

What does the Pageticker team say about The Whale Who Wanted More?

We love the lively rhyme, colourful underwater world and gentle humour in this warm-hearted story. Humphrey’s search for the perfect treasure opens up thoughtful conversations about wanting more, gratitude, friendship, sharing and caring for the ocean. It is especially well suited to shared reading with pre-school and early-years children, although some may find its message about possessions quite direct.

Genres

Animals Friendship/Family Feelings/Wellbeing

What is The Whale Who Wanted More about?

Humphrey the whale embarks on a quest to find the perfect treasure to make him feel complete. Despite collecting countless undersea items, he remains unfulfilled. Through his journey, Humphrey discovers that true happiness comes not from possessions but from friendship and sharing. This heartwarming rhyming tale encourages kindness and is perfect for reading aloud.

About the author

Rachel Bright is a much-loved British author and illustrator. She has written many popular picture books, including 'The Lion Inside' and 'The Koala Who Could'. Rachel enjoys creating stories that inspire children to be brave and kind. Her books are filled with colourful illustrations and wonderful characters that make reading exciting and fun.

Discussion ideas around The Whale Who Wanted More

Wanting more: Why do you think Humphrey keeps looking for new treasures, even when he already has so many things?

True happiness: What do you think makes Humphrey feel happier in the end, and why might those things matter more than objects?

Sharing and friendship: How do the sea creatures help one another, and what could sharing look like in your own home or classroom?

Underwater rubbish: What might happen to sea animals when unwanted things are left in the ocean, and how could people help?

Pages

32 pages

Reading age

Picture Book (2-7)

This edition

2021

First published

2021

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