The Best Books About Whales that Explore Their Histories, Dialects, and More

Written by Angie Menjivar
Updated: April 12, 2023
© iStock.com/stephenallen75

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Like humans, whales live in close social circles, relate in complex ways with one another, and have their own dialects. They’re fascinating creatures that we often don’t think of, particularly if you don’t often visit the ocean. Once you face the ocean, however, the enormity of it all comes to life, and it’s easy to get endlessly curious about it. There’s so much we still don’t know about whales and there are researchers out there doing incredible work, attempting to understand and decipher the languages of whales.

In the list below, you uncover a couple of different books about whales. The first is an encyclopedia appropriate for different age groups that covers whales, dolphins, and porpoises. It’s an extensive work that can serve as a wonderful resource for research. We incorporate an intriguing science writer with first-hand whaling experience who writes about whales’ histories. We also highlight a title that is all about animal communication and the newest tech working toward understanding how whales communicate (and how humans may be able to communicate with them).

  1. Encyclopedia of Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises
    • Written by award-winning writer and whale researcher
    • Encyclopedia with detailed profiles of different ocean animals
    • Customers rate this book 4.7 out of five stars
    Check Amazon
  2. Whale Coloring Book for Adults (Animal Coloring Books)
    • Whale coloring book for adults with over 30 full-page illustrations
    • Mix of realistic and fantastical illustrations
    • Customers rate this book 4.6 out of five stars
    Check Amazon
  3. Spying on Whales: The Past, Present, and Future of Earth's Most Awesome Creatures
    • Explores the history and future of whales
    • Tackles questions like why it took so long for whales to evolve to such large sizes
    • Customers rate this book 4.5 out of five stars
    Check Amazon
  4. Handbook of Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises of the World
    • Covers all 90 species (and subspecies) of cetaceans
    • Just under 1,000 accurate color illustrations
    • Customers rate this book 4.8 out of five stars
    Check Amazon
  5. How to Speak Whale: A Voyage into the Future of Animal Communication
    • Explores what would happen if humans and animals could communicate with one another
    • Provides a fascinating insight into animal communication and mental life
    • Customers rate this book 4.4 out of five stars
    Check Amazon

A-Z Animals Top Picks for Books About Whales

#1 Best Overall: Encyclopedia of Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises by Erich Hoyt

The best overall book about whales is the Encyclopedia of Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises by Erich Hoyt.

This book has received several awards. The author is a whale researcher named Eric Hoyt who invites readers into the world’s oceans to explore 90 species of cetaceans. He has decades of first-hand experience, which is what really sets this book apart. He’s able to relay insights only he could have acquired, and you feel a sense of comprehensive familiarity while reading his work. Marine animals like whales are compelling and this book helps you examine their life histories.

The book takes you on to explore different discoveries about cetacean biology. You can explore the different physical characteristics of whales like the baleen and toothed whales. You can also explore how they feed and how they are so adept at hunting. The book goes on to explain their meeting and courtship processes as well as the family relationships they create. Some of the lifelong bonds that these sea creatures create are astounding. The book explores the humpback whale, which is recognized as the ultimate composer in the whale world. These whales sing complex songs lasting as much as 30 minutes that make their way across oceans!

Unfortunately, some reviewers reported that their book was damaged when they received it.

Pros and Cons of the Encyclopedia of Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises by Erich Hoyt

ProsCons
This book provides a detailed insight into whales, dolphins, and porpoises.Some customers received a damaged book.
It discusses the behavior of marine mammals.
It explores the different aspects of baleen whales and toothed whales.
The book discusses the courtship process of whales.
Best Overall
Encyclopedia of Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises
  • Written by award-winning writer and whale researcher
  • Encyclopedia with detailed profiles of different ocean animals
  • Customers rate this book 4.7 out of five stars
Check Amazon

2. Best Coloring Book: Whale Coloring Book for Adults by Alisa Calder

As the best coloring book for a relaxing time we suggest Whale Coloring Book for Adults by Alisa Calder.

This book is for you to enjoy with your favorite set of colored markers, pens, or pencils. It’s a whale coloring book for adults. Inside its pages, you find 31 full-page illustrations. Each of these designs invites you into a meditative space where you can relieve stress, explore your creativity, and ultimately relax your mind, body, and soul. There are a variety of different styles in this book as well. You can go for some simpler designs or really take your time with some of the more complex, intricate illustrations. It’s perfect for all levels of colorists, whether you just got started or you already have a stack of coloring books you finished at home.

Some of these illustrations are quite realistic while others are more fantastical. You have a wide range to choose from in this paperback coloring book. The cover is modern and durable, so your works remain protected, and they’re printed on single sides of pure white paper. Each page is a high-quality paper stock to minimize any bleedthrough (should you prefer to use more pigmented mediums like markers).

Pros and Cons of Whale Coloring Book for Adults by Alisa Calder

ProsCons
This book has 31 full-page illustrations to be colored in.None
It features a variety of different designs from simple to complex.
They are printed on single sided pure white paper to minimize bleedthrough.
Best Coloring Book
Whale Coloring Book for Adults (Animal Coloring Books)
  • Whale coloring book for adults with over 30 full-page illustrations
  • Mix of realistic and fantastical illustrations
  • Customers rate this book 4.6 out of five stars
Check Amazon

3. Best Science Writing: Spying on Whales: The Past, Present, and Future of Earth’s Most Awesome Creatures by Nick Pyenson

In our opinion, the book with the best science writing is Spying on Whales: The Past, Present, and Future of Earth’s Most Awesome Creatures by Nick Pyenson.

This next work explores the history and future of whales. The New York Times calls it thrilling. The author, Nick Pyenson, invites you to explore the lives of whales. They are the largest and most intelligent species that have ever inhabited the earth. Their evolution is mesmerizing. They started as land-roaming creatures that were about the size of dogs and now live completely submerged in the ocean. They breathe just like humans but move like fish. They’re fascinating creatures, growing to 300,000 pounds and living hundreds of years.

There’s something about whales that is both fascinating and terrifying. Despite their long history, there is still so much that humans don’t yet know about these marine mammals. This book explores questions like why it took so long for whales to evolve to such large sizes. From what we understand, it took over 50 million years for them to become the creature we know and recognize today. The book also covers how their ancestors went from land to sea and what their lives have to tell us about the entirety of evolution. It also touches on the impacts humans have had on nearly decimating these wildly intelligent creatures throughout history.

However, some reviewers reported that this book is less about whale behavior and more about their evolution.

Pros and Cons of Spying on Whales: The Past, Present, and Future of Earth’s Most Awesome Creatures by Nick Pyenson

ProsCons
This book explores both the history and the future of whales.Some reviewers reported that this book is less about whale behavior and more about their evolution.
It explores why it took so long for whales to reach such large sizes.
The book discusses how the ancestors of whales went from the land to the sea and what their lives tell us about evolution.
Best Science Writing
Spying on Whales: The Past, Present, and Future of Earth's Most Awesome Creatures
  • Explores the history and future of whales
  • Tackles questions like why it took so long for whales to evolve to such large sizes
  • Customers rate this book 4.5 out of five stars
Check Amazon

4. Best Reference Guide: Handbook of Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises of the World by Mark Carwardine

If you’re looking for a good reference guide to whales then look no further than Handbook of Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises of the World by Mark Carwardine.

This handbook serves as an authoritative piece of work you can reference for every cetacean species found throughout the world. It’s incredibly comprehensive with all research known regarding these marine mammals. Within the book, you’ll also find accurate color illustrations. Alongside each illustration, you can follow along with detailed annotations that identify all significant field marks.

To produce this text, Mark Carwardine, a conservationist, collaborated with several leading cetacean biologists. The book is overflowing with identification tips that help you learn about mammals from the blue whale to the Indo pacific finless porpoise. Along with all of the detailed annotations and color illustrations, you can also explore distribution maps and photographs. The way Carwardine organized this book makes it easy to navigate. You get easy access to all of the critical information you need, making this an indispensable resource for cetacean seekers and whale watchers.

The only drawback to this book is that it is now a little outdated and does not include several new species of whales.

Pros and Cons of Handbook of Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises of the World by Mark Carwardine

ProsCons
This book offers a guide to most whale species.It is a little outdated and does not include several new species of whales.
It features accurate color illustrations.
There are detailed whale facts alongside each illustration.
The author collaborated with several leading cetacean biologists.
Best Reference Guide
Handbook of Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises of the World
  • Covers all 90 species (and subspecies) of cetaceans
  • Just under 1,000 accurate color illustrations
  • Customers rate this book 4.8 out of five stars
Check Amazon

5. Best on Animal Communication: How to Speak Whale: A Voyage into the Future of Animal Communication by Tom Mustill

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if you could speak whale? If you’d like to find out take a look at How to Speak Whale: A Voyage into the Future of Animal Communication by Tom Mustill.

This book explores what would happen if humans and animals could communicate with one another. The author is Tom Mustill who is a nature documentarian. You might recognize his name because he went viral after a humpback whale weighing 30 tons breached onto his kayak. This happened on September 12, 2015. Mustill was in a two-person kayak at the time. He was with a friend. The scene was gorgeous, and it was cold. Suddenly, the humpback whale landed right on top of them. You can imagine that Mustill thought he was about to die. However, both he and his friend survived that encounter without a single scratch on them.

This incident brought forth a question in his mind: what can this incredible encounter have to teach us? He’s a wildlife filmmaker and a naturalist so he has plenty of experience already. Using this as a foundation, he started researching more about human-whale interactions throughout the world. He ended up meeting two tech entrepreneurs. They developed artificial intelligence with the original intent to translate human languages. Mustill wanted to use this technology to identify patterns in animal conversations. He wanted to decode them.

Pros and Cons of How to Speak Whale: A Voyage into the Future of Animal Communication by Tom Mustill

ProsCons
This book explores what would happen if humans and animals could communicate with one another.None
The author is a wildlife film maker and naturalist.
It discusses how the author wants to use artificial intelligence to decode animal interactions.
Best on Animal Communication
How to Speak Whale: A Voyage into the Future of Animal Communication
  • Explores what would happen if humans and animals could communicate with one another
  • Provides a fascinating insight into animal communication and mental life
  • Customers rate this book 4.4 out of five stars
Check Amazon

Criteria: What to Look For in Books About Whales

There are several different types of books about whales for you to explore. Some of them are best for research purposes while others explore the possibility of communication with whales. Some are meditative and for coloring while others incorporate whales as part of a fictional narrative that centers around specific characters.

Type of Book

If you’re a whale fanatic, then pretty much any book on whales is likely to be of interest to you. However, if you have a specific purpose in mind when looking for books about whales, you need to narrow your focus. There are plenty of books that are suitable for research and that can serve as reference guides. There are also books that incorporate whales as part of a fiction story. Some books explore animal communication and lean into the type of technology we’re using to attempt to understand the songs of whales. Some are best for kids to start getting to know more about this incredible sea creature.

Reading Level

Some books are perfect for most ages. A preteen may enjoy the same text as an adult. This usually happens because the author writes in a very accessible way and the story appeals to people of different ages. However, many books are intended for a specific age group. Be sure that when you are shopping for books about whales, you pick up a title that is appropriate for the person you intend to give it to (or for yourself).

Author’s Style

Certainly, you have read some authors’ works that have been like listening to fingernails on a chalkboard. It’s just not intriguing for you and each page feels insufferable. That’s not the author for you. That same author may completely delight someone else. We all have different preferences when it comes to writing styles. You don’t have to suffer through a boring text if you’re reading for pleasure. Find an author who’s style whose works you and enjoy and lean into those types of books. Some books bounce around with timelines, which can create confusion for some readers. If you prefer a book written in chronological order, even if fiction, then be sure to do a little research on the author to confirm that they write in a way that makes the text digestible (and enjoyable!) for you.

About the Author

Angie Menjivar is a writer at A-Z-Animals primarily covering pets, wildlife, and the human spirit. She has 14 years of experience, holds a Bachelor's degree in psychology, and continues her studies into human behavior, working as a copywriter in the mental health space. She resides in North Carolina, where she's fallen in love with thunderstorms and uses them as an excuse to get extra cuddles from her three cats.

The Best Books About Whales that Explore Their Histories, Dialects, and More FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Are whales friendly?

Generally, whales are non-violent. They don’t act aggressively toward humans. However, like with any animal, if a whale feels threatened or is scared, it may resort to defensive actions against whatever it perceives as a potential threat. Typically, gray whales are the most inquisitive, which comes off as friendliness to humans.

Can a whale hurt a human?

Being that whales are incredibly large and heavy, they can certainly hurt humans. However, whales are not aggressive towards humans. It is highly unlikely that a whale would intentionally hurt a human.

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