Emerson the Elephant Seal

A colorful, imagination-filled picture book for children aged 3-5, based on the true story of Emerson the elephant seal, who decided to abandon his home in the wilds for life in the bright city lights.

Emerson, a two-year-old juvenile elephant seal from Washington, keeps turning up in the Pacific Northwest city of Victoria, British Columbia, despite the best efforts of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans staff—who would like him to know that the provincial capital is not the best home for a 500-pound pinniped.

Born in January 2022 on Bowman Bay in Puget Sound, Emerson made headlines across Canada and gained a loyal following in Victoria, where he spent a month molting at Oak Bay Marina Beach before making his way onto the grassy boulevard next to Beach Drive. Undeterred by several efforts to relocate him, Emerson returned again and again to Victoria’s beaches and roads.

But what exactly brought Emerson back? In this energetic picture book, children will wonder: perhaps he longed to try the smoked salmon tea sandwiches at the Empress? Did Emerson want to roll all over the flowers at Butchart Gardens or take a tour of the BC Parliament Buildings? While wildlife officials have their theories, Ginger Ngo explores the capital through the eyes of Emerson in a way that will have Victoria’s youngest visitors laughing out loud.