Whales, Mammals - Marine

Orcas: Killer Whales

Name: Orcas: Killer Whales
Author: Victor Gentle
ISBN: 9780836828832

by Victor Gentle, Janet Perry

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Overview

Readers may recognize the black and white Orca named Keiko as the star of the movie Free Willy. Considered a dolphin, the Orca whale, also known as the killer whale, is perhaps one of the most widely known whales. From fins and flippers to their somewhat misleading reputation, Orcas come alive in this beautifully photographed ebook.

Synopsis

Children's Literature

Readers may be familiar with Keiko, the killer whale who starred in the film, Free Willy. Keiko's story is probably more intriguing than Willy's in many respects. This informative volume shares the real story of Keiko, then looks more thoroughly into the world of Orcas. The creatures we know as killer whales are neither vicious killers nor whales! Orcas are actually members of the dolphin family, and the only things they kill are the fish, seals and sea lions they need in order to survive. Orcas are gentle, social and intelligent, like their bottlenose dolphin cousins. Though most Orca-hunting has been banned for over fifteen years, humans continue to threaten the survival of the Orcas. The fishing industry, pollution and simple ignorance are all contributors. Resources at the end of the book include a glossary, quick facts and helpful books, videos and web sites for further exploration. Other titles in this "Whales and Dolphins" series are Blue Whales, Bottlenose Dolphins, Humpback Whales, Right Whales and Sperm Whales. 2001, Gareth Stevens, $19.93. Ages 5 to 9. Reviewer: Catherine Campbell Wright

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Editorials

Children's Literature

School Library Journal

Gr 2-4-These series titles provide essential information about the physical characteristics and life cycle of these animals. The text on one side faces a full-page illustration, usually a photo. One helpful feature is a half-page "Quick Facts" summary, which includes a visual comparison of the adult animal with a human and a number of vehicles. These charts make the immense size of the whales strikingly clear. The lists of suggested books, videos, and Web sites are marred by errors, such as listing Theodore Taylor's novel, The Hostage, as nonfiction and including a book about a marine biologist simply because her boat is called Orca. More puzzling are the suggested Internet search terms, which sometimes include words not mentioned in the book itself. Rather than opting to purchase the entire set, librarians should see what topics are already covered in their collections. Some species, such as orcas, have had quite a number of books written about them. Nicola Davies's Big Blue Whale (Candlewick, 1997) presents information in a way that avoids the formulaic series approach and look. Still, Gentle and Perry's titles can be helpful for collections in which additional resources are needed to fill gaps.-Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.