The Whale Child

An inspiring children's book that introduces young readers to the environmental challenges facing the planet through the eyes of Coast Salish characters and authors

"You have family on land as you do in the sea. . . being a caretaker of the earth begins with taking care of the water that all life depends on."

Shiny is a whale child. One day his mother teaches him about the harm facing the world's oceans because of human carelessness. Shiny agrees to be turned into a boy by the ocean's water spirit so he can visit the land and alert people to these dangers. He meets Alex, a young girl who learns from Shiny that the living spirit of water exists in everything--glaciers, rivers, oceans, rain, plants and all living creatures. Together the two travel the earth, confronting the realities of a planet threatened by an uncertain future. Inspired by Shiny's hope, humor, and ancestral wisdom, Alex makes the promise to become a teacher for future generations. She realizes that the timeless Native American value of environmental stewardship is needed now more than ever, and that we must all stand up on behalf of Mother Earth.

The Whale Child introduces children ages 7 to 12 to existing environmental issues with a message of hope, education, sharing, and action. Also included are resources for students and teachers to facilitate learning about Pacific Northwest Indigenous cultures and the environment.