Dolphins

Children's Literature

The highlight of this nonfiction, series book is the captivating photography that draws readers in and holds them. A variety of photos are used to show just a few species, from the common to the curious, of dolphins found around the world. The text is informative, engaging and easy-to-read. Everything is covered, though not too heavily, including names and characteristics of a few members of the dolphin family, dolphin social life, mating rituals, hunting and traveling habits and environmental issues affecting dolphin habitats. This, along with three other books, is part of the "Wild Marine Animals" series and as a set the books would be a great resource for a mid-elementary unit study. They would also see much use as part of any library collection. 2001, Blackbirch Press, $17.95. Ages 7 to 10. Reviewer: Trina Heidt

School Library Journal

Gr 4-6-In both of these titles, eye-catching covers and heavy use of clear color photos will prove enticing, and the subjects are popular for both reports and leisure reading. The texts provide basic information on sharks and dolphins in general (physiology, mating, raising young, feeding) with more particulars (global distribution, size, markings, etc.) on several individual species. A brief glossary (omitting such words as "cetaceans," "elasmobranchs," and "transient"), a short list of further readings, a single Web site, and a simple index are included. Similar in scope to Niki Walker and Bobbie Kalman's Sharks (Crabtree, 1997) and Jen Green's Dolphins (Grolier, 1999), Cole's books aren't as handsome as Laurence Pringle's Sharks! (Boyds Mills, 2001) or Seymour Simon's Sharks (HarperCollins, 1995), or as detailed as Miranda MacQuitty's heavily pictorial Shark (DK, 2000). Slight, but acceptable additions.-Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.