Wendy the Whale

A tale from South Africa, written by Alexander Williams
Illustrated by Lucy Newton.

The story of Wendy the Whale is a collaboration between Watford residents David Abraham, who was brought up in Hermanus where the story is set, and Alexander Williams, a teacher and playwright. David presented Alex with the story as a piece of oral history from the 1930s that he had been told by an elderly fisherman, and David has managed not only to verify certain details of the tale through communication with friends in Hermanus but also commit this wonderful story to the page so that it may be remembered and enjoyed by children and adults all over the world, and preserved for future generations.

The 12 accompanying illustrations by Lucy Newton, a trained artist from Edinburgh, bring an amazing vitality to the story, in their richness and detail.

Today Hermanus is known as the Whale Capital of the World because it is the best place from which to watch whales from the land, though you can also go out and see them from the water. The most common whale is the Southern Right, though two other species can be sighted: the Bryde’s whale and the Humpback whale. Hermanus is proud of its whale-crier, a tradition that dates back to 1991. The whale-crier uses a kelp bugle to let everyone within hearing distance know that the whales are home once again.

Printed on 75% recycled material using vegetable-based inks.

A Wynstones Press title
28 pages.
29.7 x 21 cms, 12 x 8 inches.
Stitched.
ISBN 9780946206711