An awe-inspiring nonfiction picture book, perfect for animal lovers, that reveals how a mama whale and a mama person care for their young in remarkably similar ways, from the illustrator of Over and Under the Snow.
A little boy and his mother set off on a day trip, meanwhile, a mama whale and her calf swim towards the bay. On the way, both sing, blow bubbles, get lost–and found! Through it all, mama always stays close. The human pair board a sightseeing boat, and as the whales reach the harbor, they all converge in one spectacular scene! With lyrical text and absolutely magnificent art, here’s a book that celebrates our connection to animals, and to each other.
"[A] moving look at behavioral links and interspecies connection."—Publisher’s Weekly, starred review
"Readers should leap at the chance to acquire this winning tale."—Kirkus, starred review
What inspired We Leap Together?
The idea for this book started with a whale watching trip I took with my family off the coast of Brooklyn. Those of you who don’t live in NYC are probably surprised that you can see whales in Brooklyn. It turns out, not many of us New Yorkers know about it either. You can read more about my process behind making this book on my substack: Making We Leap Together
Why Are whales Returning to NYC?
Abundant Food: Cleaner coastal waters and warming ocean temperatures have driven large schools of bunker fish—a primary food source for humpbacks—into the New York Bight and local harbor areas.
Conservation Success: Decades of strict protections under federal laws like the Marine Mammal Protection Act have allowed populations to rebound significantly.
I’d like to learn more about whales visiting Coastal cities like New York?
A great place to start is Gotham Whale, a volunteer run organization whose mission is to study, advocate for, and educate about the whales and marine mammals of the New York Bight, through Citizen Science. And if you’d like to see these magnificent whales up close, consider boarding the American Princess Cruise in Brooklyn, NY. Here’s a brief segment about Whales in New York City on NPR : Go To New York City For The Whales
Who Might LIKE We Leap Together?
This picture book is for anyone who appreciates nature, is curious about animals, is interested in the ocean, and anyone who loves whales. At it’s core, this is a children’s book about connection, the special bond kids have with their Mother, and how humans, whales and the natural world are intertwined. Readers ages 3 to 6 years of age enjoy this book but kids of all ages will find something to love about this story, wether its a nightly bedtime read, used in the class room setting, or purchased as a birthday or mother’s day gift.
Where can I buy We Leap Together?
We Leap Together can be purchased at several locations including,:
My affiliate bookstore at bookshop.org where every purchase supports independent book stores and puts more profit in author’s pockets!
Don’t forget to check your local book store who likely has a copy or can order it for you if it isn’t in stock.
For teachers and Librarians
This a great book to introduce themes such as migration, animal behavior, and the ways in which humans and other mammals such as whales are similar to each other. It’s a fantastic introduction to the natural world and our connection to it. The back of this book features a list of humpback whale traits and behaviors that are shared or are similar to human traits. Students can explore how whales communicate, care for their young, cooperate in groups, play, learn, and respond to their environments, then compare these behaviors with those of humans and other mammals. If you are interested in having me visit your school or library, I frequently do author visits and would love to talk. Please see my school visit FAQ.
Praise for We Leap Together
We leap Together has received starred reviews from both Publisher’s Weekly and Kirkus. It is part of the ALA (American Library Association)’s 2026 list of notable books. It was included in the New York Public Library’s list of notable books for 2025 and is now part of their official Story Time Collection. The Brooklyn Public Library included We Leap Together in it’s 2026 Mock Caldecott short list.
