Best Kids Books About Whales (2026): 4 Whale Books Compared

When a kid falls for whales, the best kids books about whales depend on the reader in front of you: a baby wants sturdy pages and animal names, while a ten year old is ready for a 192 page novel. We compared four books by reading age, grade level, page count, format and what each listing’s description says.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Whales by Szymanski	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Great Migrations by Marsh	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Why the Whales Came by Morpurgo	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Good Night Whales by Gamble	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Whales by Szymanski

Jennifer Szymanski·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 24-page National Geographic pre-reader with simple text and photos, for beginning readers ages 3 to 7.

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Pros

• Pre-reader format with simple expert-vetted text and large photos
• Vocabulary tree and a wrap-up activity are included
• 24 pages, a short sitting for beginning readers

Cons

• Reading age is marked as from customers, not the publisher
• Grade level lists Preschool minus only
• 24 pages, shorter than the level 3 reader

2

Great Migrations by Marsh

Laura Marsh·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 48-page level 3 National Geographic reader about whale migrations, for independent readers.

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Pros

• Level 3 reader, a step up for independent readers
• 48 pages on migration, feeding and survival
• Grade level 2 to 4 is stated alongside the reading age

Cons

• Reading age is marked as from customers, not the publisher
• 2010 publication date is the oldest edition here
• 48 pages, a longer sit-down read than the pre-reader

3

Why the Whales Came by Morpurgo

Michael Morpurgo·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 192-page historical novel set on an island during the First World War, for readers 10 years and up.

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Pros

• A full novel for older readers who want a story
• Reading age 10 and up and grade level 5 to 7 are stated
• 2024 reissue edition, the newest listing here

Cons

• 192 pages, far longer than the picture books here
• Reading age 10 and up narrows it to older kids
• The description prints Why the Wales Came, a typo against the title

4

Good Night Whales by Gamble

Adam Gamble·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 20-page Good Night Our World book on whales and ocean animals, for babies to age 3.

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Pros

• Baby to 3 years, the youngest starting age here
• Covers whales plus dolphins, seals and sea otters
• Part of the Good Night Our World series

Cons

• Baby to 3 years, the narrowest age range here
• 20 pages, the fewest pages of the four
• Bedtime format suits wind-down more than learning facts

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More picks to compare

• All Things Whales for KidsFor ages 6 to 12, with facts, photos and fun on all things whales.Check on Amazon
• My Little Golden Book About WhalesFor preschoolers ages 2 to 5, with illustrations and whale facts.Check on Amazon
• Whales for Kids by Boris WalkerFor ages 7 and up, with illustrations, quizzes and comparison charts.Check on Amazon
• The Nature Kid's Guide to WhalesA level 2 reader for ages 6 to 10 on whale species and behavior.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 21 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the whale-loving reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or grade level. All four listings give a reading age, two of them marked by Amazon as from customers, and three give a grade level. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best kids books about whales

Match the reading age to the child

Reading ages here run from Baby to 3 years on the Good Night Whales book up to 10 years and up on the Morpurgo novel. Two listings mark the reading age as from customers, so read it alongside the grade level where one is given. Browse all picture books for more choices by age.

Pre-reader or level 3 reader

The Szymanski book is a pre-reader: 24 pages, simple expert-vetted text, large photos, a vocabulary tree and a wrap-up activity, made for beginning readers. The Marsh book is a level 3 reader at 48 pages on great migrations, aimed at independent readers who can finish a longer sitting.

Fact book or story

Three of the four are nonfiction: facts and photos about whale species, migration, feeding and safety. Why the Whales Came is the odd one out: a 192 page historical novel set on an island during the First World War, for readers 10 years and up who want a story instead of facts.

Before you buy

• Check the reading age on each listing; two of these are marked as from customers.
• Compare the page count with the child’s reading level: 20 to 192 pages is a wide range.
• For series books, confirm the series and level on the listing before buying the next one.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age are whale books for beginners?

The listings here span Baby to 3 years (Good Night Whales), 3 to 7 years (Whales pre-reader), 2 to 9 years (Great Migrations Whales) and 10 years and up (Why the Whales Came), so pick by the child’s age.

Should I start with a pre-reader or a level 3 reader?

The pre-reader suits beginning readers with simple text and photos, while the level 3 reader at 48 pages suits independent readers ready for a longer book about whale migrations.

Is Why the Whales Came a picture book?

No. The listing describes a 192 page novel with a reading age of 10 years and up and grade level 5 to 7, aimed at older readers.

Still deciding? Our top pickWhales by Szymanski

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Related lists

See every picture books list and all kids and teens lists.

More lists: browse children’s books about whales, kids books about animals and kids books about dinosaurs.