Text copyright © Julia Donaldson 2003
\nIllustrations copyright © Axel Scheffler 2003
\nRecording copyright © Macmillan Digital Audio 2004
Read by Imelda Staunton
\nProduced by Anne Rosenfeld for RBA Productions, mixed by Joseph Degnan
\nMusic by Chris Branch, based on The Snail and the Whale Song by Julia Donaldson
\nThe Snail and the Whale Song lyrics and melody copyright © Julia Donaldson 2004
Sung by Imelda Staunton
"}}}]},"url":{"value":"the-snail-and-the-whale"},"title":{"value":"The Snail and the Whale"},"single_audio_resource":{"value":[]},"allow_downloads":{"name":"Allow downloads","value":[]},"audio_extract":{"value":[]},"author___illustrator":{"value":"By Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler \nRead by Imelda Staunton"},"narrator":{"value":""},"banner_image":{"value":[{"url":"https://assets-eu-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/b56e4d4a-8cdd-01f1-9bcb-2b4586d114c9/a7a15f32-a7fb-43f8-89eb-3d8932e65954/01%20Website_Banner.jpg","description":null}]},"synopsis":{"modular_content":[],"value":"“How I long to sail!”
\nSaid the tiny snail.
A snail and a whale head off to see the world. But when the whale needs help, can the tiny snail think of a plan big enough to save him?
\nBring this charming story to life as you listen to this reading by Imelda Staunton, then sing along with The Snail and the Whale Song.
\nJulia Donaldson has written many of the world’s most-loved picture books. The 2011-2013 UK Children’s Laureate, Julia also writes fiction, songs and plays, and her live children’s shows are always in demand. Julia and her husband split their time between West Sussex and Edinburgh.
\nAxel Scheffler is an award-winning star illustrator whose instantly recognisable, warm and witty illustrations have become firm favourites of millions of children. Born in Hamburg, Axel lives with his partner and daughter in London.
\nRead along with . . .
\nImelda Staunton is a Bafta-winning film, TV, radio and stage actor. She was the voice of Aunt Lucy in the film Paddington and played Professor Umbridge in the Harry Potter films.
\nThis is the tale,
\nThe incredible tale of a snail and a whale.
\nThis is the tale,
\nThe incredible tale of a snail
\nWho sailed all round the world on the tail of a whale.
Land, sea and sky.
\nIt was all so enormous it made the snail sigh.
\nLand, sea and sky.
\n“Oh, how terribly tiny am I,
\n“Oh, how tiny am I,” said the snail with a sigh.
Then came the day
\nWhen the whale lost his way and was beached in a bay.
\nThen came the day
\nWhen the water was slipping away
\nAnd he heavily, helplessly, lay in the bay.
Here comes the snail.
\nKeep your eyes on the blackboard – she’s leaving a trail.
\nHere comes the snail
\nAnd she writes on the board, “Save the whale.”
\n“Save the whale,” writes the snail with her silvery trail.
Dig, squirt and spray.
\nAll the children and firemen are working away.
\nDig, squirt and spray,
\nTill the tide rolls back into the bay
\nAnd the snail and the whale travel safely away.
Snail after snail
\nAfter snail slithers onto the tail of the whale.
\nSnail after snail
\nAnd they sing to the sea as they sail
\nYes, the sing as they sail on the tail of the whale.