
Elizabeth, Queen Of The Seas
by Lynne Cox & Brian Floca (illustrator)
AUCK IN STOCK
WGTN ON ITS WAY
48
Aug 2025
Paperback
Random House Children's Books
9780593813508
Here is the incredible story of Elizabeth, a real-life elephant seal who made her home in the Avon River in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand. When Elizabeth decides to stretch out across a two-lane road, the citizens worry she might get hurt or cause traffic accidents, so a group of volunteers tows her out to sea. But Elizabeth swims all the way back to Christchurch. The volunteers catch her again and again-each time towing her farther, even hundreds of miles away-but, still, Elizabeth finds her way back home.
Includes back matter with information about elephant seals.
I’m a keen amateur swimmer and in awe of Lynne Cox, the first woman to swim Cook Strait in 1975, as well as being a fan of Brian Floca’s richly detailed Locomotive and Moonshot books. This picture book is based on a magical event that happened when Lynne was in Christchurch in 1983: a delightful account of an Elephant seal that frequented the banks of the Avon River and nearby streets of Christchurch city and made a huge impression on those who came upon her. The people of Christchurch named her Elizabeth, “strong, powerful and regal like the Queen of England”. And despite several attempts to move her she kept coming back. This is a charming tale, beautifully illustrated and a slice of history set in our own back yard.



