World-renowned swimmer and bestselling author Lynne Cox and Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator Brian Floca team up to bring us this inspiring story of an elephant seal who knew exactly where she belonged.
Here is the incredible story of Elizabeth, a real-life elephant seal who made her home in the Avon River in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand. When Elizabeth decides to stretch out across a two-lane road, the citizens worry she might get hurt or cause traffic accidents, so a group of volunteers tows her out to sea. But Elizabeth swims all the way back to Christchurch. The volunteers catch her again and again—each time towing her farther, even hundreds of miles away—but, still, Elizabeth finds her way back home.
Includes back matter with information about elephant seals.
NOMINEE
| 2018 Connecticut Nutmeg Children's Book Award
NOMINEE
| 2017 Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award
NOMINEE
| 2016 Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award
NOMINEE
| 2016 New York State Charlotte Award
NOMINEE
| 2016 Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award
FINALIST
| 2016 Nebraska Golden Sower Award
NOMINEE
| 2015 Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award
NOMINEE
| 2015 Red Clover Award
FINALIST
| 2015 Irma Simonton Black Award
Publishers Weekly starred review, February 24, 2014 “The newly minted Caldecott winner may be best known for his more encyclopedic works, but he proves that whether the subject is trains or stubborn seals, he’s a master storyteller."
Publishers Weekly starred review, February 24, 2014 “Based on a true story—there is a photo of the real Elizabeth in the illuminating afterword—this is superior addition to shelves featuring wild animal personalities.“
School Library Journal starred review, May 2014 "Children are likely to request multiple readings of this compelling told and lovingly illustrated true story."
The Bulletin starred review, July/August 2014: "The book’s sunny temperament, Southern setting, and focus on an animal who knows where she wants to be despite human intervention make it a neat inverted complement to Carnesi’s compelling and fact-based Little Dog Lost."
LYNNE COX was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and grew up in Los Alamitos, California. She set open-water swimming records all over the world, swimming without a wet suit. She was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame. Her articles have appeared in many publications, among them The New Yorker, The New York Times, and the Los Angeles Times Magazine. Cox lives in Long Beach, California.
World-renowned swimmer and bestselling author Lynne Cox and Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator Brian Floca team up to bring us this inspiring story of an elephant seal who knew exactly where she belonged.
Here is the incredible story of Elizabeth, a real-life elephant seal who made her home in the Avon River in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand. When Elizabeth decides to stretch out across a two-lane road, the citizens worry she might get hurt or cause traffic accidents, so a group of volunteers tows her out to sea. But Elizabeth swims all the way back to Christchurch. The volunteers catch her again and again—each time towing her farther, even hundreds of miles away—but, still, Elizabeth finds her way back home.
Includes back matter with information about elephant seals.
Awards
NOMINEE
| 2018 Connecticut Nutmeg Children's Book Award
NOMINEE
| 2017 Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award
NOMINEE
| 2016 Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award
NOMINEE
| 2016 New York State Charlotte Award
NOMINEE
| 2016 Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award
FINALIST
| 2016 Nebraska Golden Sower Award
NOMINEE
| 2015 Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award
NOMINEE
| 2015 Red Clover Award
FINALIST
| 2015 Irma Simonton Black Award
Reviews
Publishers Weekly starred review, February 24, 2014 “The newly minted Caldecott winner may be best known for his more encyclopedic works, but he proves that whether the subject is trains or stubborn seals, he’s a master storyteller."
Publishers Weekly starred review, February 24, 2014 “Based on a true story—there is a photo of the real Elizabeth in the illuminating afterword—this is superior addition to shelves featuring wild animal personalities.“
School Library Journal starred review, May 2014 "Children are likely to request multiple readings of this compelling told and lovingly illustrated true story."
The Bulletin starred review, July/August 2014: "The book’s sunny temperament, Southern setting, and focus on an animal who knows where she wants to be despite human intervention make it a neat inverted complement to Carnesi’s compelling and fact-based Little Dog Lost."
LYNNE COX was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and grew up in Los Alamitos, California. She set open-water swimming records all over the world, swimming without a wet suit. She was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame. Her articles have appeared in many publications, among them The New Yorker, The New York Times, and the Los Angeles Times Magazine. Cox lives in Long Beach, California.
