In The World of Whales, written by Michelle Cusolito and illustrated by Jessica Lanan, was published by Neal Porter books on June 17, 2025. Upon reading it, the beautiful descriptions and illustrations will immerse you in a truly memorable underwater adventure. In this picture book geared toward ages 4-8, a pair of free divers discover a group of sperm whales surrounding a mother whale giving birth. After the delivery, in an incredibly trusting moment, the mother nudges her newborn calf toward one of the divers. It seems she does so because the divers have hung back, maintaining a quiet, respectful distance from the unfolding scene. The overall tone throughout the book is one of awe and respect for these incredible creatures.
Michelle Cusolito uses concise yet lyrical language to share this incredible moment when free divers Fred Buyle and Kurt Amsler witnessed the birth of a sperm whale. We learn that free diving means descending without the aid of oxygen tanks. We also learn that these divers were able to stay underwater for long periods and get up close to whales, and that, without noisy, cumbersome oxygen tanks, they became the only known people to witness this incredible scene.
The illustrations by Jessica Lanan bring the story to life, making the reader feel like they’re underwater, fully immersed in this once-in-a-lifetime experience
Interestingly, we learn that the calf was delivered within a group of helper females who guide it to the surface for a breath of air while the mother rests. The whales speak in a series of clicks and may even have been trying to communicate with the humans. Also, other whales traveled from many miles to be present at the birth.
At a time when museums and history books tell of how mankind has treated whales so badly that they have almost been driven to extinction, this is an inspiring tale of hope that will help young readers to protect these beautiful, gentle creatures.
Here is Michelle’s very impressive bio, borrowed from her website: (https://www.michellecusolito.com/)
My debut non-fiction picture book, Flying Deep: Climb Inside Deep-Sea Submersible Alvin, was awarded the PEN-NE Susan P. Bloom Children’s Book Discovery Award and was longlisted for the Massachusetts Book Awards. It was also on the Kirkus Best Books list and the NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books list. My second book, titled Diving Deep: Using Machines to Explore the Ocean, was also longlisted. My debut middle school non-fiction, Window into the Ocean Twilight Zone: Twenty Four Days of Science at Sea, was a Junior Library Guild “Gold Standard Selection,” as was Jellyfish Scientist: Maude Delap and her Mesmerizing Medusas, illustrated by Ellen Rooney. In the World of Whales, illustrated by Jessica Lanan, has received six STARRED reviews. Rooted in Wonder: Celebrating the World’s National Trees, illustrated by Marya Wright, publishes March 31 2026 with Moon + Bird.
WRITERS' RUMPUS 