Whale, That Was Unexpected

By Casey Lyall

A classic but contemporary tale for 3-to-7-year-olds featuring a hilariously grumpy seafarer and her trusty dog sidekick who get swallowed by a whale. For fans of Caldecott Honor books Bear Came Along and Leave Me Alone.

Stoic seafarer Maude and her canine sidekick Claude head out to fish as they have done every day for many years. But this time, something unexpected happens. (Maude hates it when something unexpected happens.)

They get swallowed by a whale. What does one do when one is swallowed by a whale? Throw a farewell party, I guess. (Maude loves a good party.)

Hilarity ensues as more and more creatures get swallowed and Maude has to keep changing her party plans. (Maude does not love crowds.)

Will Maude and the whale part ways, or is this the end? (Maude would prefer it if we could hurry this up.)

Okay, okay. Read on to find out.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1774883619
• ISBN13: 9781774883617
• Release Date: June 2026
• Publisher: Tundra Books (NY)
• Length: 48 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Age Range: 3 to 7 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 2