Ella and the Waves - Britta Teckentrup, Hachette Children's Group

A beautiful and timely story of how one girl turns fear into courage with the help of a friendly whale, from internationally acclaimed and award-winning author-illustrator, Britta Teckentrup. Ella sits alone in a boat, battling waves so high they touch the sky. A bodiless voice beneath the surface of the sea tells her it is hopeless, she'll never find land, she'll never be safe...But there are kind voices at sea too - ones that offer encouragement, support and the promise of hope. With the kindness of a small white bird, a lesson from a pod of porpoises and the support of a gentle whale, Ella finds her courage and discovers she was never alone. A story that serves as a reminder that though we may face our fears alone, we are all in this together.