Noah and the Whale in Winter

"...When, after reading it for the first time, I leafed through it again more slowly, looking at the pictures, and closed the book, do you know what I did? Without realising it, I clutched it to my chest. Just like when I was a child. When I realised it, I smiled and tried to explain my reaction. I think that if I tell you about the story and its messages, you’ll understand why I felt that way too. I don’t know if I wanted to hug Noe or the little whale, or both of them with their sweet story."

"...Noah returns with his second adventure, in which his beloved little whale is ever-present. The affection readers felt for the characters whilst reading Noah’s first adventure is now amplified. In a way I still cannot quite grasp, the author gives the characters a deeply human dimension, filling them with emotions that overflow with every turn of the page. He infuses the story with a sentiment that is sweet, optimistic and melancholic all at once, and manages to place Noé at the top of the list of truly unique children’s book heroes."

"...The author’s abstract illustrations are brought to life through a text that is simple yet rich in meaning, exploring friendship, the power of will and courage."

"...Noah’s childlike innocence, the warmth of the story and the fairy-tale-like illustrations are sure to captivate young readers."

"...So, Noe is going to set off on an adventure, undergo a rite of passage, alone in the dark and cold, not to become a teenager or an adult, but to face perhaps one of his greatest fears, and to discover that friends always show up when the going gets tough."

"..._Noah and the Whale in Winter_ is a story about the friendship we can find everywhere, provided we keep an open mind and heart, about the wildness and grandeur of nature, about courage, and about the loneliness of children that we adults rarely suspect. It is a story that will open children’s eyes to a childhood completely different from their own, and the discussions that will follow are invaluable, because one of the most important things children need to know is that not all lives are the same and that the way they live is not a given."

"...Benji Davies’s minimalist illustrations are superb! It is the words that were not written, the emotions not described in the text. In a magical way, they complement the story and become an integral part of the plot."

"...Benji Davies writes and illustrates the sequel to the story of Noe and the little whale we met in the winter of 2017. This time, he sets the scene on the snow-covered, ice-bound beach where the little boy lives, and, guided by a bright lighthouse and a pod of whales, he recounts Noa’s new adventure and speaks of family, love and friendship."

"...A second ode to friendship that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Perhaps, of course, its success lies in Noé’s orphanhood. But no, this book has ‘something’ that makes you bond with this child-animal story as you turn the pages with their amazing illustrations! Noah is reunited with his friend, Dad spends precious time with his son, and everything falls into place nicely."

"...With his abstract illustrations and his warm, tender prose, Davies manages once again to move us, to celebrate the wonderful relationship between father and son, and to give us a book that is an absolute must-have for our bookshelves."

"...We first met the little hero Noe about a year ago, and we loved his childlike innocence, his spontaneity and his big heart! Now, the little one is back again with the whale, but in a slightly more wintry story!"

"...Benji Davies’ second story about Noa and his little whale. Simple, tender, wonderful and full of emotion. Courage, daring, fear, loneliness, friendship, love. Love for one’s parent, love for animals, love for adventure. In a few words, and quite simply, a moving story. A story that shows how courage sometimes leads down difficult paths, and how love fears neither winters, nor dark nights, nor icy waters. Symbolism, values and faith in goals and purposes. Friendships that, though dissimilar, seem to hold firm. A family story, unbreakable blood ties and the greatness of the soul."

"...Another wonderful and tender story starring Noe and the little whale. A story that speaks straight to the heart and fills us with emotion. It tells us of a son’s love for his dad, which drives him to overcome every fear and defy every danger. And of course it speaks to us of our friends, who are the family we choose and who will be there for us when we need them. Benji Davies’ illustrations are, once again, stunning. With wonderful colours, he enchants the reader and takes them on a journey."