Whale Fall

Exploring an Ocean-Floor Ecosystem

Illustrated by Rob Dunlavey
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Hardcover
$19.99 US
On sale Mar 14, 2023 | 40 Pages | 9780593380604

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This fascinating nonfiction picture book filled with stunning illustrations details the end of life for a whale, also known as a whale fall, when its body sinks to the ocean floor and becomes an energy-rich food source for organisms living in the deep sea.

Winner of the AAAS/Subaru Prize for Excellence in Science Books • An ALA Notable Children’s Book • A New York Public Library Best Book for Kids


When a whale dies, its massive body silently sinks down, down, through the inky darkness, finally coming to rest on the silty seafloor. For the whale, it's the end of a 70-year-long life. But for a little-known community of deep-sea dwellers, it's a new beginning. First come the hungry hagfish, which can smell the whale from miles around. Then the sleeper sharks begin their prowl, feasting on skin and blubber. After about six months, the meat is gone. Year after year, decade after decade, the whale nourishes all kinds of organisms from zombie worms to squat lobsters to deep-sea microbes.

This completely fascinating real-life phenomenon is brought to vivid and poetic life by nonfiction master Melissa Stewart and acclaimed illustrator Rob Dunlavey.
  • NOMINEE
    Keystone to Reading Book Award
  • SELECTION
    Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
  • SELECTION
    Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices
  • NOMINEE
    Pennsylvania Young Readers Choice Award
  • SELECTION | 2024
    ALA Notable Children's Book
  • SELECTION | 2024
    NSTA-CBC - Outstanding Science Trade Book
  • SELECTION | 2024
    Texas Topaz Reading List
  • SELECTION | 2023
    New York Public Library Best Books for Kids
Melissa Stewart has written more than 180 science books for young readers. While gathering information for her books, Melissa has hiked in tropical rain forests, gone on safari in Africa, and swum with sea lions in the Galapagos Islands. She can't imagine any better job! Visit Melissa's website at www.melissa-stewart.com or track her at twitter.com/mstewartscience. View titles by Melissa Stewart

About

This fascinating nonfiction picture book filled with stunning illustrations details the end of life for a whale, also known as a whale fall, when its body sinks to the ocean floor and becomes an energy-rich food source for organisms living in the deep sea.

Winner of the AAAS/Subaru Prize for Excellence in Science Books • An ALA Notable Children’s Book • A New York Public Library Best Book for Kids


When a whale dies, its massive body silently sinks down, down, through the inky darkness, finally coming to rest on the silty seafloor. For the whale, it's the end of a 70-year-long life. But for a little-known community of deep-sea dwellers, it's a new beginning. First come the hungry hagfish, which can smell the whale from miles around. Then the sleeper sharks begin their prowl, feasting on skin and blubber. After about six months, the meat is gone. Year after year, decade after decade, the whale nourishes all kinds of organisms from zombie worms to squat lobsters to deep-sea microbes.

This completely fascinating real-life phenomenon is brought to vivid and poetic life by nonfiction master Melissa Stewart and acclaimed illustrator Rob Dunlavey.

Awards

  • NOMINEE
    Keystone to Reading Book Award
  • SELECTION
    Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
  • SELECTION
    Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices
  • NOMINEE
    Pennsylvania Young Readers Choice Award
  • SELECTION | 2024
    ALA Notable Children's Book
  • SELECTION | 2024
    NSTA-CBC - Outstanding Science Trade Book
  • SELECTION | 2024
    Texas Topaz Reading List
  • SELECTION | 2023
    New York Public Library Best Books for Kids

Author

Melissa Stewart has written more than 180 science books for young readers. While gathering information for her books, Melissa has hiked in tropical rain forests, gone on safari in Africa, and swum with sea lions in the Galapagos Islands. She can't imagine any better job! Visit Melissa's website at www.melissa-stewart.com or track her at twitter.com/mstewartscience. View titles by Melissa Stewart

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