Mafu the Whale
Age range 5+
A whale who cannot sing and a lost butterfly search for her home and find the whale’s voice and self-confidence.
Mafu the humpback whale travels through the turquoise seas of the South Pacific alone in search of other whales. But as he cannot sing, they cannot hear him, and as they cannot hear him, they cannot find him. The other sea creatures tease Mafu, and he is embarrassed and lonely, until one day when he meets Papahi, a lost butterfly swept away from her island home in a storm. This unlikely pair soon become fast friends as they share their stories and search for Papahi’s home, where Mafu finds that he can sing — he only needed the courage to try. This gentle, beautifully illustrated story about friendship, courage, and self-confidence will delight readers encourage them to believe in themselves.
Joanna Horsley is a Sydney, Australia-based children’s book author, illustrator, and artist. Originally from the South of England, where she trained as a classical singer, she has lived around the world and has had a successful career in advertising and environmental campaigning. She has a passion for ocean conservation and is a keen underwater diver, having recently swum with humpback whales in the South Pacific, which inspired her to write and illustrate her debut book Mafu the Whale.
