By Dominique Demers & Gabrielle Grimard
Little Gnouf and Mirabelle are ecstatic! They are going to see the sea for the first time in their lives; however, they never expected to find a young whale caught in a fishing net and washed ashore when they arrived.
During their first-ever trip to the sea, Little Gnouf and Mirabelle find a baby whale trapped in a fisher’s net on the shoreline. With the help of some new friends, the Gnoufs start devising a plan to free the little whale and get him back to the sea he calls home, but for two little Gnoufs, rescuing a whale is a big task. Mirabelle and Little Gnouf are determined to help, but are they up to the task?
Dominique Demers, author of over 25 beloved picture books, writes with heart, bringing to life a story of courage, compassion, and friendship.
Award-winning illustrator, Gabrielle Grimard, perfectly captures the magic and intrigue of the sea with vibrant illustrations that highlight the text.
2026 CBC (Canadian Broadcast Corporation) 6 Canadian picture books for kids to read this summer feature
Book of the Day April 2026 – Foreword Reviews
On-Sale Calendar: April 2026 – Publisher’s Weekly
“Environmental trivia weaves into the story, whose delicate, teal-and-green-favoring illustrations are replete with causes for awe.” — Foreword Reviews (Starred Review)
“A sweet plea for environmental awareness, bolstered by dexterous art.” —Kirkus Review (★★★★★)
“The story has themes of compassion, courage, friendship, and protecting nature. The illustrations are charming, and have a hazy, soft focus feeling. It would be a perfect cozy read-aloud for ages 4 – 8”. —LFL Book Adventures
“This hardcover picture book edition of “The Sea We Call Home” is especially and unreservedly recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections for children ages 4-8.” —Midwest Book Review
“(…) for discovering more about the sea and its elements, including the sperm whale, while appreciating how kindness and empathy can help support the natural world, then The Sea We Call Home should be your choice.” –CanLit for Little Canadians
“What makes this story stand out is how tender it feels without becoming too heavy for younger readers. The message about caring for animals and protecting nature is woven naturally into the story, making it emotional in a soft, approachable way.” –YA Books Central
“The beautiful blending of reality and fantasy gently encourages readers to use their imaginations and find the magic in their daily lives.” –Glass of Wine, Glass of Milk Blog
“The soft, inviting illustrations and large text size pair perfectly for a delightful read aloud.” –Elizabeth Everett Books IG
“A sweet & empathetic book about Two Gnoufs helping reunite a baby whale with its mama. Back matter includes facts about sperm whales. The cooperative allo parenting care is fascinating to look further into. Watercolor-like & whimsical illustrations are gorgeous!” –A Portal to Magic IG Blog
“We loved this as a family! My son is all about sea creatures, and he can’t get enough! The imagery and the story itself were very memorable for us all.” –NetGalley Reviewer
“This is such a beautiful book that shows the devastation our trash causes to animals and why it’s so important to protect our oceans. It’s a great story to teach kids to advocate for animals and do their best to help them. The ocean is a vast and magical place – let’s keep it that way.” –Cultivating Brilliant Minds IG
“When Little Gnouf and Mirabelle visit the sea for the first time, they discover a young whale trapped and stranded far from home. Determined to help, the two friends work together with new friends to rescue the whale and return him to the ocean. This story is a wonderful introduction to themes of kindness, empathy, friendship, and environmental stewardship. Young readers will be drawn to the whale rescue storyline, while parents will appreciate the gentle message that even small acts of compassion can make a meaningful difference. Gabrielle Grimard’s illustrations are absolutely stunning and also unusual (but I love them), capturing the beauty and magic of the ocean on every page. A lovely choice for World Ocean Day and for children who love animals and ocean themed stories.”–Paumen’s Pages IG
“Two traveling gnomes embark on an adventure to find the sea. Once there, with help from some ocean animals and some bird friends, they rescue a beach baby whale. A beautifully illustrated book about helping. And along the way learn a little bit more about the ocean and the habitants of the seashore and the ocean.”–Ed Tech Ease IG
“The Sea We Call Home receives lovely illustrations by Gabrielle Grimard as it explores the discoveries of Little Gnouf and Mirabelle, who are visiting the sea for the first time, only to find a baby whale caught in a fishing net, washed ashore. It takes some new friends and group support to free the baby in this appealing story that blends natural history with accounts of friendship, group problem-solving, adventure, and nature discoveries. Libraries and adults seeking to install early stories about sea life and preservation will find The Sea We Call Home appealing.”–Donovan’s Literary Services
“The Sea We Call Home is an enchanting, whimsical, important, and needed read! I love how this book highlights the beauty of the sea, shares ocean facts, and packs a strong conservationist message. The precious main characters help a baby whale escape a trap but it isn’t easy. Grit, perseverance, kindness, and creative problem solving are all lovely messages in this book!”–Murrays Miraculous Mission IG
“The first trip to the sea becomes an unforgettable adventure in The Sea We Call Home. Friends Little Gnouf and Mirabelle are full of excitement as they head to the ocean for the very first time. Then their day takes an unexpected turn when they discover a baby whale washed ashore, tangled in a fishing net. Determined to help, the friends come together with a plan to save the whale. This heartfelt story opens the door to conversations about caring for our oceans, teamwork, and the difference small acts of kindness can make. The soft, inviting illustrations make the seaside setting feel magical.”–Read with a Rescue IG
“A sweet story about two friends who encounter a beached baby whale and help it to safety. The story is easy for kids to follow along and the illustrations and adorable.”–NetGalley Reviewer
“Good book for kindergarteners with a great message about ocean life. Good for a little science and reading time combo story time.”–NetGalley Reviewer
“What a lovely story! I truly enjoyed this charming tale, and my son loved it as well. It’s a heartwarming story filled with kindness, compassion, and the power of coming together in a time of need. The artwork is absolutely beautiful, and Mirabelle and Little Gnouf are such lovable characters. Along with their sea friends, they work together to help a stranded baby whale, showing the importance of caring for and supporting one another. I also really appreciated the whale facts included at the end—they were a wonderful and educational touch.”– NetGalley Reviewer
“The Sea We Call Home by Dominique Demers is a breathtakingly beautiful story of empathy and environmental care. When Little Gnouf and Mirabelle encounter a whale in trouble, their brave rescue mission becomes a powerful lesson in marine conservation. Why It’s Perfect: Stunning Art: Gabrielle Grimard’s vibrant illustrations bring the “magic and intrigue of the sea” to life. Heartfelt Message: It teaches children (ages 4–8) that even the smallest creatures can make a massive difference through courage and teamwork. A poetic, “must-have” adventure for any young nature lover’s library.”– NetGalley Reviewer
“The Sea We Call Home is a charming picture book that teaches families about friendship, emotions, compassion for the earth and it’s creatures, and the importance of working together. I appreciate children’s books that don’t shy away from using words that children might not be familiar with. This book provided just the right amount of new words without being too difficult for my kids. The illustrations are beautiful and captured the attention of my children. I can tell that a lot of care went into the art. This is a great book for all families that encourages discussions and inspires kids to learn, be kind, and look for adventure.”–NetGalley Reviewer
“The Sea We Call Home is a visually stunning picture book, with beautiful illustrations that immediately draw you in. The story is enchanting and heartfelt, centering on friendship, teamwork, and the importance of caring for our environment and helping others in need. Young readers will easily connect with the gnoufs desire to help the baby whale find his mother, and they’ll feel genuinely invested – and excited – as the story unfolds. It’s a meaningful, engaging read that naturally invites conversations about empathy, cooperation, and protecting the world around us.”–NetGalley Reviewer
“Overall, this is a tender, encouraging story! It demonstrates kindness, respect for animals, and a connection to the sea. It’s one I’d happily revisit again and again.” –NetGalley Reviewer
“I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. Lovely story about two friends who go to the sea for the first time. They find a beached baby whale and, with the help of their new friends, manage to return it to its mother. Lovely illustrations really capture this story.” –NetGalley Reviewer
“This story is one of the sweetest little stories I have read in a long time. A story of friends new and old and how we can use our knowledge to help our animal friends. I love that Dominique Demers includes some interesting facts about whales throughout the story as well as in the back matter, giving readers a little more information about the majestic sperm whales, having the story echo Big Book of the Sea. This story is so gentle and kind making it perfect for wind down time. Need a meditative story to calm a group of restless kindergarteners? This is your story. Need something to soothe your little one to sleep? This story is the one you should grab. Gabrielle Grimard’s illustrations are pure magic. She creates the most dreamy spreads that envelop the reader, allowing us to dive into the story with the Gnoufs and the whales and enjoy our very own journey under the sea.”–Storytime with Stephanie Blog
