An unforgettably powerful new collaboration from
Hannah Gold and Levi Pinfold
Perhaps one of the children’s publishing industries biggest successes of recent times would be the incredible pairing of author Hannah Gold and award-winning illustrator Levi Pinfold. The Last Bear hit bookshelves across the country in 2021 as an epic natural history adventure promoting conservation and environmentalism. The unique pairing saw Levi Pinfold create a series of stunning internal illustrations to embellish this very special story.
The Last Bear was shortlisted for a clutch of high-profile awards and won the coveted Blue Peter Book Award Best Story and was widely reviewed to critical acclaim. HarperCollins Children’s Books are now set to publish a partner title with the same breath-taking attention to detail. So prepare to dive into this incredible story about the connection between a boy and a whale and the bond that sets them both free in The Lost Whale .
The hardback edition features a lavish embossed gilded cover crowning an exquisite full colour illustration by Levi Pinfold featuring the stories protagonist Rio swimming alongside a majestic whale. Beneath the dust jacket of the jacketed edition readers will be treated to a vibrant debossed gold gilded relief illustration from the book set against a vibrant orange canvas cover, a real visual treasure.
So, let’s find out some more about this epic oceanic adventure…
Rio has been sent to live with a grandmother he barely knows in California, while his mum is in hospital back home. Alone and adrift, the only thing that makes him smile is joining his new friend Marina on her dad's whale watching trips. That is until an incredible encounter with White Beak, a gentle giant of the sea changes everything. But when White Beak goes missing, Rio must set out on a desperate quest to find his whale and somehow save his mum.
Kate Greenaway Medal winning illustrator Levi Pinfold has excelled himself with this project, creating not only full page black and white illustrations dotted throughout the story but charming and atmospheric vignettes and chapter openers. Each illustration aching with emotion, expertly captured with dramatic aplomb.
Here is a small selection of some of our favourite pieces.
Here are some new reviews...
Unforgettable highly accomplished animal adventure about the connection between a boy and a whale, with strong ecological themes’ Fiona Noble Bookseller
‘Lyrical page-turner’ Observer
‘Simply beautiful – tender, heartfelt and hopeful with such crystal-clear storytelling. . . Rio and White Beak’s story will stay with me for a long time’ Sophie Kirtley, author of The Wild Way Home
‘Beautifully crafted story of hope and healing’ Katie Heap, Scope for Imagination
‘Magnificent! The Lost Whale will lift your heart as high as the ocean is deep’ Piers Torday, author of The Last Wild
You only need to glance as the swathes of rave reviews for The Last Bear to get an inclining of the impending success of this sequel.
‘A dazzling debut’ – The Times
‘This book is a delight’ - Daily Mail
‘A roaring call to protect the planet’ – The Sunday Times
The Lost Whale publishes at the end of March, you can order a copy HERE
You can find Levi on Instagram, but you simply must visit our website to view his complete digital portfolio. For more information regarding collaborating with Levi please email info@arenaillustration.com
