Kasey Whitelaw dives into the real-life experiences as a marine biologist that formed the inspiration of this story about the bottlenose dolphin Flute, and shares more about the unique characteristics of these sea creatures. 

What inspired you to write this story?

I had the incredible opportunity to work alongside and protect wild bottlenose dolphins in Shark Bay, Western Australia and, this is where I learned about their need for friendship, community, and support. I especially loved watching visitors’ faces light up as I told them about their unique lives. The more they got to know the dolphins - understanding their personalities, tight-knit family bonds, and fascinating behaviours - the more their interest grew into a passion for protecting them. It was amazing to see both kids and adults become beachside ambassadors, teaching others about their behaviours. 

This sparked the idea of writing a picture book about their deeply connected and fast-paced lives, one that goes beyond just facts. My goal was to create a narrative that would ignite empathy and inspire readers to step back, observe, and get curious about the lives of all dolphins.

What are your favourite facts about dolphins? What makes them unique compared to the other animals you’ve encountered?

Where to start, what a great question! First of all, I was blown away by the connection I felt. It’s such a special feeling to have a connection across two different species, especially when a dolphin rolls over and sticks its eye out of the water and you both lock eyes. We may be watching them closely, but they are also keeping a close eye on us.

Some dolphins at Monkey Mia even bring in ‘presents’. Actually, it’s usually Flute’s mother, Piccolo, who will catch a stingray, small shark, or large fish and parade it around the beach, nudging it against a ranger as a gesture to take her gift.

Some of my favourite fun facts are:

• They have a permanent smile, so don’t be fooled - they do get upset and angry!
• They play games like ‘pufferfish toss’.
• They form friendships that can last a lifetime.
• Every dolphin has a unique signature whistle, similar to a name.
• Dolphins are born with cute whiskers.

I also like to mention that adult female bottlenose dolphins seem to have a hard life; they are either pregnant, have a newborn, or have multiple boys chasing them to become pregnant. They don’t go through menopause, and they breed until the day they die. So, my hat goes off to them.

Of course, their ability to navigate and communicate underwater is truly superior. Dolphins can essentially ‘see’ underwater with sound, by creating a mental map. They use echolocation, a type of sonar, to find prey or avoid obstacles. But they also have great eyesight above and below the water’s surface. Their eyes move independently, so they can see forward and backward all at once. They use clicks and whistles to communicate with other dolphins - a very effective strategy considering sound travels five times faster underwater. Many dolphin sounds are also produced well out of the range that humans can hear. This along with their large complex brains makes them master communicators and navigators of their ocean environment.

Flute is based on a true story. Were there any parts of that true story that didn’t make it into this picture book?

Yes! It was hard to cut some of my favourite parts, but I wanted to stick to the main theme of friendship and support and the lesser-known threats of boating and noise pollution.

I would have loved to mention how skilled her family is at foraging and catching fish in shallow water. They do a type of ‘hydroplaning’ along the shoreline. They pump their tails to gain speed and then propel themselves across the water’s surface to force and trap fish into the shallows or even onto the sand. It’s amazing to watch - they look like they are flying across the surface of the water.

I should also mention they are going fast, really fast! They can reach speeds of 40km/hr. So, it’s best to stay out of the water if you see them herding fish. The scared fish are looking for a hiding spot and legs make a good protective barrier. I have had a light nudge from a dolphin, and it did not tickle. So, I wouldn’t want to be in the way of a heavy, high-speed dolphin.

Some cuter moments are when Flute went up to a dugong and gave it a little stroke like a pat or hug. The dolphins also love a back scratch along the boat mooring lines.

Were there any scenes you were most excited to see illustrated?

Of course, all of them! But I was particularly excited about the seagrass maze and the jellyfish scene.

What was it like to work with the illustrator, Jenni Goodman, on this project?

A dream! She even took a trip to the west to study the dolphins and the Shark Bay environment. She really captured the vibrant colours of Shark Bay and the anatomical features of all the wildlife. Her artwork, which is done by hand, is simply stunning.

What do you love most about educating children about the ocean and marine wildlife?

I love everything about it! The best part is watching kids’ faces light up with excitement when I share a silly, gross or interesting fact. But the questions they ask are just as rewarding. Science is all about curiosity, asking questions and testing theories. So, if we can get them doing this at a young age our planet will be in good hands. And, of course, getting out in nature is always great for the soul and mental health.

Are there any other wildlife encounters that you’d love to write about?

I’ve spent a lot of time with dolphins and sea turtles, so these animals do have a special place in my heart. I would love to write a story about Flute’s sister Eden. She has a great story to tell.

I would also love to write about the lesser-known and misunderstood species, particularly among the sharks. But honestly, anything related to nature and science interests me. The weirder, the better!

Do you have any other projects in the works?

Yes! I have some fun and quirky ideas in the works. I’m focusing on a slightly higher age group for my next few books.