This heartwarming tale -- now available in paperback -- is based on the real-life story of an elephant seal who kept swimming back to her home in the middle of a busy road in New Zealand, no matter how far she was taken out to sea.

World-renowned swimmer and bestselling author Lynne Cox and Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator Brian Floca team up to bring us this inspiring story of an elephant seal who knew exactly where she belonged.

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.