The Snail and the Whale

Julia Donaldson author Axel Scheffler illustrator

Format:Board book

Publisher:Pan Macmillan

Published:6th Apr '17

£7.99

Available for immediate dispatch.

The Snail and the Whale cover

In this classic board book format with a fresh cover design, comes the thrilling tale of a tiny snail and a great big grey-blue humpback whale...

In this classic board book format comes the thrilling tale of a tiny snail and a great big grey-blue humpback whale . . .

A rhyming story about adventure and friendship, The Snail and the Whale is a bestselling classic by the unparalleled picture book partnership of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, creators of The Gruffalo.

One little snail longs to see the world and hitches a lift on the tail of an enormous whale. Together they go on an amazing journey – and when disaster strikes and the whale is beached in a bay, it's the tiny snail's big plan that saves the day.

This classic story has sold over 8 million copies worldwide and this sturdy board book edition is a must-have addition to the bookshelves of all Donaldson and Scheffler fans – big and small!

Also available: The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child, The Snail and the Whale, Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book, Room on the Broom, A Squash and a Squeeze and Monkey Puzzle.

Look out for the brand new Gruffalo picture book coming on 10th September 2026.

If bestsellers were decided upon by the number of prestigious awards a book had won then this one, with echoes of Edward Lear would be the blockbuster of all time. Julia really is a past-master of rhyme whilst Axel’s illustrations complement the text quite brilliantly. * LoveReading4Kids *
With its catchy, incantatory rhymes, the award-winning picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler is a favourite for reading aloud. * The Independent *

ISBN: 9781509830442

Dimensions: 174mm x 193mm x 22mm

Weight: 439g

24 pages