Whiti: Colossal Squid of the Deep

By Victoria Cleal, illustrated by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White

Publication: October 2020
Pages: 32
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 978-0-9951338-0-8

RRP: $29.99

Buy Whiti: Colossal Squid of the Deep

A wonderful 32-page illustrated book that dives into the mysterious world of the colossal squid. Through engaging text and glorious images, it tells the story of a colossal squid’s life, from hatching out of a tiny egg to escaping the jaws of a sperm whale and becoming the world’s biggest invertebrate. Side topics range from Te Papa’s colossal squid specimen to Māori exploration of the sub Antarctic.

Readers will discover how the squid survives in the deep waters of Antarctica, and will meet other strange creatures that are uniquely adapted to this hostile environment.

Like Te Papa’s new Nature | Te Taiao exhibition zone, this book weaves together scientific inquiry, mātauranga Māori and plenty of humour. It shows how all living things are connected – and how we too are part of the natural world.

Winner of the Best Children’s Book category at the 2021 Whitley Awards for zoological literature

Reviews

Whiti: Colossal Squid of the Deep was chosen by the Listener as one of its Top 100 Children's Books for 2020, alongside our other publication the Nature Activity Book.

The Sapling reviewed Whiti, “this book's engaging conversational text, magnificent illustrations, and exquisite design – featuring three gatefolds – make it a must-have for any wildlife fanatic and/or fact fiend.”

Whiti in NZ Booklovers: “With its entertaining yet informative text, clean design and skilful, mesmerising illustrations (complete with fold-outs of underwater scenes) Whiti is … a masterclass in how to do it right.”

Whiti in My Best Friends are Books, “… one of the best New Zealand nonfiction books for children this year.”

Whiti in NZ Poetry Box, “What a magnificent resource this book is.”

Whiti in Agnew Reading blog. “Every so often a book turns up that impresses the socks off me. Whiti is one of those. It’s not just the skilful writing or the dramatic illustrations. It’s the way every page conveys the excitement of discovery. To read it is genuinely thrilling…. This is a truly Kiwi book and an exemplar of what can be achieved with good book design.”

Whiti in the 2020 October/November issue of Upstart Magazine by Bridie, 6 years old, “this book is amazing! I have seen a colossal squid at Te Papa and now I know more about them … The book has lots of fold-out pages that are full of amazing colourful pictures and lots of facts.”

About the author

Victoria Cleal has been a writer and editor at Te Papa for nearly five years, most recently working on the Nature | Te Taiao exhibition and several stories for the children’s TV series He Paki Taonga and its associated book.

About the illustrator

Isobel Joy Te Aho-White (Ngāti Kahungungu ki te Wairoa, Rongomaiwahine, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Irakehu) is a graphic artist with a diploma in Visual Arts (UCOL) and a Bachelor of Design (Hons) majoring in illustration from Massey University She illustrated several of the stories for the children’s TV series He Paki Taonga and its associated book.

Publication: October 2020
Pages: 32
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 978-0-9951338-0-8

RRP: $29.99
Buy Whiti: Colossal Squid of the Deep