A book is never a solo effort and I cannot express enough gratitude to the entire team at HarperCollins Children’s Books in the UK for everything you have done for my Bear and everything you now do for my Whale. You have made my books look so beautiful that they sometimes take my breath away. To Ann-Janine Murtagh, Nick Lake, Val Braithwaite, Alex Cowan, Jo-Anna Parkinson, Carla Alonzi, Victoria Boodle, Kirsty Bradbury, Geraldine Stroud, Elorine Grant, Laure Gysemans, and Samantha Stewart. And likewise, a massive whale-sized thanks to all the team at HarperKids in the US for all your work and effort across the Atlantic.

I am slightly in awe of my amazing agent, Claire Wilson. She’s not only exceptionally talented at what she does (all those mysterious agenty things!) but is also warmhearted and kindness personified. You’re always there when I need you and that means a lot.

With The Last Bear already out in the world, this also gives me an opportunity to give thanks to all the amazing book bloggers, librarians, fellow authors, reviewers, festival organizers, and booksellers who have helped make my debut year so spectacular. Being released during the height of lockdown wasn’t ideal, but somehow with your help, you still made my Bear fly. And I am forever in your debt for that.

It’s almost impossible to single any one bookseller out as you have all been amazing, but I must give special bear hugs to Nick and Mel at The Rabbit Hole in Brigg, Helen at Wonderland Bookshop, Ben and Alison at Our Bookshop in Tring, and everyone in Waterstones Peterborough.

Also, extra special thanks to all teachers everywhere for everything you do and continue to do to champion new authors and bring a joy of reading to the classroom. You are invaluable and I hope you know that. I cannot single any of you out (for fear of making some huge social faux pax) but I hope you know how much you all mean to me.

In terms of navigating my way through various drafts of this book, a collective thank you to Sharon Hopwood, Polly Crosby, Carlie Sorosiak, and Alison Bond for reading early versions and providing such gentle encouragement and guidance.

My trip to the lagoons will stay with me forever, and so big shout-out to my own Whale Pack—Ben, Julianne, Stuart (Sherbet), and Lucie for sharing an experience of a lifetime. We’ll make it back there one day with joy in our hearts. A whale fluke wave to Sharon, Barbara, Jackson, and Rusty, and also to Lisa for sending me the details of the Happywhale database. Thanks to the Jasper family—from whom I borrowed the names Rio and Marina. Gracias also to Orlando, Andrea, and Earnie for making our holiday to Baja so special. We will always love Loreto!

Infinite thanks to all the ocean custodians out there who are doing their best to look after and protect the ocean and to all the whale watchers on the Pacific Coast and around the world—I salute your dedication, commitment, and passion. This book is for you.