The Whale Shark

Children's Literature - Judy Crowder

Imagine this: you are standing in front of a huge aquarium tank when a giant creature swims into view. It is enormous, as big as a whale, with spots on its brownish gray body and white counter-shading on its belly. What is it? A whale shark, the biggest fish in the seas. According to this book, part of Scholastic Pilot's "Shark Fact Files" series, a whale shark has a lot to recommend it. Size can exceed forty feet or twelve meters, weight is more than thirty thousand pounds. This huge body can swim gracefully because its skeleton is made of cartilage and its tail—like other shark tails—guides the whale shark through the waters. This book is full of information along with remarkable photo illustrations about feeding behavior, reproduction, habitat, and so on. Text is easy to understand; vocabulary words printed in red throughout the book are included in a glossary. Content is up to date, with newly studied facts about reproduction (scientists thought whale sharks laid eggs, but have since discovered that pups are born live). Like other sharks, the whale shark's greatest threat is humankind, since their fins get top dollar for shark fin soup. Also, the book points out that overfishing is a threat since these giant fish do not reproduce often. The author lists countries under which whale sharks are protected and discusses the affect of ecotourism on these giants. If you are looking for a maximum amount of facts in a slim volume, this book is for you. Along with a glossary, the book includes a brief list of books in which to read more, web sites and index. Remember the opening scenario? The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, according to the book, features a giant tank where whale sharks swim with rays and schools of fish. Reviewer: Judy Crowder