Sea Lions

School Library Journal

Gr 3-6 An attractive introduction to the fascinating world of these ocean-dwelling mammals, appealing clowns of the sea. Large full-color photographs highlight the text as it reveals habits, family life and enemies. Although a chapter is devoted to clarifying the biological relationship between sea lions and true seals, a summarizing chart or diagram is not provided, so young readers may have difficulty conceptualizing the relationship among the different families of pinnipeds. Despite this minor flaw, Sea Lions, with its open format, should be a popular addition to the wildlife shelf. Wonders of Seals and Sea Lions (Dodd, 1976) by Joseph Brown presents information on both groups but for slightly older readers. Iona Hiser's The Seals (Steck-Vaughn, 1975; o.p.) is a very brief, simple introduction to both seals and sea lions. The photographs in Bare's book not only elucidate the text, but also add to the attractiveness of the book. Barbara B. Murphy, Shaler Area School District Libraries, Pittsburgh