Hoover the Talking Seal

This illustrated children’s book is based upon the true story of an orphaned seal pup who learns to speak through his adopted human parents.

Hoover was able to mimic the sounds of human speech, including a strong Maine accent. Hoover would spin in circles for fresh herring, barking phrases such as “Hello Thea!,” “Get Ovah Heah!,” “Whaddya doin’?,” and “Hello Hoova.”

Cover Page for Hoover the talking seal book. Picture of Hoover and hone of his pups.
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Ages 4–12 • 40 pages • Soft Cover

Picture of Hoover saying "Hello Thea" to a women trainer at the New England Aquarium.
Link to hear Hoover Talk

Peek Inside the Book

Enjoy a couple of sample pages to see the art and storytelling style.

A page from Hoover the talking seal titled An Orphaned Seal In a calm sea, a seal pup was born, soon orphaned by a hungry whale's meal. A young life completely torn, Mother Nature handed him a raw deal. A New England village at water's edge, smells of salt and fish captures all who are near. A town named Cundy sitting on a rock ledge, where fishermen hunt on every pier. He came from a sea, from a lonely sea. He came from a glorious sea.
A picture of orphaned Hoover on the rocks with a tear in his eye.
A page from Hoover the talking seal titled Sally Mae A comfortable life the Swallows lead, Alice cooks and keeps the house so neat. There is not much the Swallows need, George must work so they can eat. Sally Mae is burned into her aft, her covered wheelhouse rides above whitecaps. Sally Mae, a tool of a dying craft, her old wooden deck strewn with traps. A powerful boat, a rickety old boat. The Sally Mae is George's lobster boat.
A picture of George Swallow's fictional lobster boat named "Sally Mae"
A page from Hoover the talking seal titled Favorite Treasure Early morning while it's dark, first a spatter then a spark. Engine rumbles as diesel fills the air, bold red hull, sides splintered and worn from wear. On the ocean floor one thousand pots lay, each troll hangs from a buoy in the bay. Green with white stripes, the mark of his trap, scattered colors are George’s only map. Lobsters are a treasure. Lobsters are George’s favorite treasure.
A picture of a lobster boat and lobster trap buoys floating above a sea full of creatures. Lobster traps strewn on the ocean floor.
Learn More About Hoover’s Story

What People Are Saying

It’s based on a true story, just charming and so interesting. If only it were more widely available! Almost anyone would enjoy it.”

— Cooks for Dogs, Reviewer

“It made a 65 year olds day! She has told us (the family) for the past 30+ yrs that she was at the N.E. Aquarium one day when she encountered a “sea lion or seal” start speaking to her! She kept telling us he said “Hello There” in a very deep voice and his entire neck would jiggle as he said it!”

— Donna, Reviewer

Unusual and just so good!

— Mark T, Reader

Why Kids Love It

Beautiful Illustrations

Bright, friendly artwork keeps little readers engaged on every page.

Perfect Bedtime Story

Short, rhythmic wording make this a calming bedtime favorite.

A True Story

As fantastic as it seems, this is a true story of a seal that mimics the sound of human speech with a thick Maine accent.

A picture of Derek Kaloust, his wife Nikki, and son cole.

Meet the Author

Derek grew up in the small fishing town of Gloucester, Massachusetts. During the summers, Derek captained his own boat and crew working the harbor as lobstermen. Derek Kaloust now resides in Tampa, Florida with his wife Nikki and his son Cole.

Derek was originally inspired to write “Hoover, the talking seal” while visiting his mother-in-law Sally Barusso (“Sally the Secretary”). At dinner one night, Sally explained that she often visited a talking seal during her lunch breaks while working in Boston. Not believing Sally’s story, Derek researched the facts and was amazed to learn the true story of Hoover, the talking seal.

Derek continues to be an avid boater maintaining a 100-ton Master Captain’s license. Derek’s last big adventure was with his father, Ed Kaloust, and brother, John Kaloust. They purchased a boat in Puerto Rico and cruised to the Dominican Republic, Turks and Caicos, Bahamas, and eventually to St Petersburg, Florida.

Email the Author

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