Going on a Whale Watch

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 4-- McMillan takes readers on an excursion off the coast of Maine to look at whales. Through dramatic full-color photographs and a spare text, such behavior as a ``Tail breach,'' ``Headstand,'' and ``Flipper wave'' are shown and described. The excitement of the expedition is communicated through shots of the mammoth mammals intermingled with those of two children on the boat as they imitate the whales or react to the surrounding sights. The photos cover the upper two-thirds of each page while the large-type text appears against the remaining white page. Since all that is visible in each shot is the part of the whale, a small illustration showing a side view of the entire animal under water is inset. The full-color photographs are bright, intense, and absolutely sparkling. The children appear windblown, exuberant, and natural. This is first-rate nonfiction for preschoolers. At the same time, older children will enjoy the attractive introduction and the challenge of picturing the entire whale. A visual glossary concludes the book. --Valerie Lennox, Jacksonville Public Library, FL

Carolyn Phelan

McMillan takes his camera out to sea, bringing his readers along on a whale watch boat to watch the whales and to watch two children as "they" watch the whales. While clear, full-color photographs document whale anatomy and behavior as seen above the water's surface, smaller diagrams show what is happening underwater at the same time. Two-word captions, such as "Humpback spout" and "paired blowholes," appear in large type below photos on facing pages forming a single concept on each spread. Longer notes, illustrated with small photos, are appended. Few children have the opportunity to watch whales in the wild, but many will wish they could, after seeing the pictures here. An excellent choice for young children curious about whales.