Debut Author: Elysia Rourke | Whale Fall

In this episode of Books, Kids & Creations, Tracy sitsdown with debut author, Elysia Rourke to discuss her new middle grade book, Whale Fall. (Nancy Paulsen Books, Sept. 2026) We talk all things whales—including how they communicate,the way they see colors, how they function in families and of course what Whale Fall actually is. Whale Fall occurs when a whale dies and sinks to the oceanfloor. As it falls, its body becomes a source of nourishment for the creatures around it, becoming part of a living ecosystem as it returns to the ocean. Rourke’s writing follows the story of an orca who longs to be the matriarch storyteller of her family but finds herself in captivity, away from her pod, and longing to return. This book is powerful, moving, and a great read for youngreaders and adults. Buy the book here: Barnes and Noble: WhaleFall | Barnes & Noble® Other Platforms via Elysia’s Website: Books | Elysia Rourke About the book: Whale, a young orca, dreams of becoming the matriarch and storyteller of her own pod one day, just like her grandmother. But her dream becomes a nightmare when she is captured by the Two-Legs and taken to a sea pen far from her ocean home. Whale’s only solace through the years of her tank life arethe memories of her pod and her grandmother’s stories of Great Mother and how whales came to be. She still misses her own pod terribly and tries not to give up hope of seeing them again. But also she tries to find joy in the here and now and in the comfort of her adopted whale family. As Whale grows older and her lungs begin to fail, she longs for the promise of Whale Fall, where the Great Mother will at last reunite her with her family—her body becoming one with the ocean. About the Author: Elysia Rourke was born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario andstarted scribbling down short stories and (very) short novels as a preteen.When not writing, Rourke can be found reading, painting, and completing jigsawpuzzles. She has a weakness for London Fogs and eggs benedict, though notalways together. She currently lives in Almonte, Ontario with her husband,Chris, and their rescue German Shepherd mix, Ridley. Whale Fall is her debutnovel.