THREE WHALES, WHO WON THE HEARTS OF THE WORLD

Written by Suzanne Kita, Illustrated by Steve Sundram
40 pages, 11"x8 ⅝"
Hard Cover with die-cut, magnetic closure
Item # 25307000, ISBN 1597007617

Price: $12.95 Add to Cart

With the release of the movie, "Big Miracle," the excitement is building for a new generation to experience the heartwarming story of three whales who won the hearts of the world in 1988. It is a dramatic true story that motivated several countries to put aside their differences and free these majestic creatures from the quickly developing ice packs (in what The United States officially deemed: Operation Breakthrough).

What most people do not realize is that the true story, on which this movie is based, was also the inspiration of a bestselling children’s book, Three Whales, Who Won the Heart of the World by Suzanne Kita and illustrated by Steve Sundram. Originally published in 1996 and updated in 2009 by Island Heritage Publishing, the book is, and has remained, a bestseller for sixteen years.

As Kita wrote the tale of these three baleen whales, she found a way to keep it entertaining as she weaves in educational facts on the whales’ characteristics during play, mating and defensive tactics. With her story telling, and Sundram’s stunning illustrations, a bond is created between the reader and the three main characters; Putu, Siku and Kanik. By the time they migrate to Alaska, the reader is hooked and feels the emotional pull once the tale of their plight begins. The reader is compelled to cheer on as various people and countries pull together to free these gentle giants.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Suzanne Kita is a freelance writer, a journalist, an editor, a poet and an educational consultant. She earned a B.A. and M.A. from University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. She currently writes a monthly children’s column in the Mountain Connection community newspaper.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
Steve Sundram was born in Australia and now resides in Maui, where he enjoys living amidst the abundant tropical life of the islands. It is a place of continual inspiration to him for his paintings. His images on calendars, greeting cards, puzzles and stationary provide vivid mementos of the spirit of the islands and bring a unique flora, fauna and ocean to life.

ABOUT THE PUBLISHER
Island Heritage is a division of The Madden Corporation. For more than 25 years, the company has produced a series of bestselling books for children and adults. The Madden Corporation is the largest product development company in the State of Hawai'i and employs nearly 200 people with offices on the islands of O'ahu, Maui, Kaua'i and the Big Island of Hawai'i, as well as Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Hong Kong.