Finn the Little Seal

Quick Look

• A heartwarming, lyrical story with a strong message about growing up and embracing new experiences
• Set in Scotland's beautiful Outer Hebrides, artist Sandra Klaassen captures dramatic seascapes and adorable wildlife in her soft, detailed watercolour illustrations
• Sandra Klaassen is the creator of much-loved and top selling animal stories Uan the Little Lamb and Peg the Little Sheepdog

Finn is a baby grey seal who is too scared to venture out into the sea – the sea is just too big for a little seal! Then one day a wave sweeps Finn off the rocks! Will he finally overcome his fears and find where he truly belongs?

Description

Finn is a baby grey seal. His mother tells him that one day he will swim in the sea, but the sea looks far too big to little Finn. He likes the rock pool, where he watches anemones and crabs.

Finn's friend Sula loses her white fur and plunges into the water, but Finn still thinks the sea is far too big and scary.

Then one day a wave sweeps Finn off the rocks! Will he finally overcome his fears and find where he truly belongs?

Finn the Little Seal is a heartwarming story about growing up and embracing new experiences. Set in Scotland's beautiful Outer Hebrides, artist Sandra Klaassen captures the dramatic seascape in her soft, detailed watercolour illustrations.

Reviews

'Gorgeous.'
-- The Herald

'A stunningly illustrated story... Told in both descriptive words and delicate, exquisite art works that depict wonderful things.'
-- Midwest Book Review

When I first received Finn the Little Seal, I flipped through the book and was excited to read it because of the illustrations. They are so beautiful, and Finn looks so cute. I liked the part when Finn meets Sula because I thought it was nice that Finn made a new friend. I liked how the illustrations look a bit realistic. I think Finn looks so soft and that if I could touch him, he would feel soft and fluffy. I would recommend Finn the Little Seal to kids who might be afraid of something, so they can learn that maybe it won’t be as scary as they think.'
-- Avery, Age 9, for Kids Book Buzz

'This sweet story of young seal pup will encourage readers to overcome their fears just as Finn does... This would be a lovely read aloud for an ocean-themed storytime. A heartwarming story with lovable characters.'
-- Youth Services Book Review, 4 stars

'Watercolor images bring Finn’s home in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland to life and create a lovely backdrop for this story; readers can almost hear the cries of the seagulls on each page. This is at once a delightful story about a young seal and a helpful lesson for young children who are reluctant to leave the comfort and safety of their familiar surroundings.'
-- School Library Journal

Author

Sandra Klaassen was born in 1959 in the Netherlands but lived for many years on the island of North Uist in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland, from where she drew her inspiration for Scottish picture books Peg the Little Sheepdog and Uan the Little Lamb. She has illustrated over thirty children's books, including My Cat Mac, Mac's Christmas Star and The Cat Who Decided.