Walrus: On Location

School Library Journal

Gr 3-5-- The Pacific walrus is the featured animal, Walrus Islands Sanctuary in the Bering Sea the setting, and natural behavior the action. The naturalists' observations of male walruses ``hauling out'' onto land to molt and heal fighting wounds is interspersed with facts about the purpose of tusks and body adaptation to land and sea. How this mammal obtains food, attracts a mate, and behaves in groups is explained; clear, captioned full-color photographs support the text. An index, a ``Walrus Facts'' page, and migration maps are included. A chapter called ``The Cliff Hanger'' gives a dramatic account of one trapped walrus that survives a fall into the sea. Wordplay used for other chapter headings such as ``Go With the Floe'' and ``The Ugli Place'' is somewhat contrived, but will gain readers' attention. The writing style is lucid and generally straightforward. Add this to the animal section, where few books exist about this threatened species. --Diane Nunn, Richard E. Byrd Elementary School, Glen Rock, NJ