Synopsis
Whales and Dolphins introduces readers to some of the largest and most acrobatic mammals in oceans and seas. Young students will discover the many types of whales and dolphins and learn about their behavior and how they survive in their watery world. Projects include making a dolphin mobile and a whale bookmark.
School Library Journal
Gr 1-4-These volumes lack focus and barely skim the surface of their topics. In Deserts, two-page chapters cover subjects ranging from rainfall to mammals to recreational activities. Whales also tackles far too much by trying to discuss concepts such as body structure, communication, and migration patterns in a few short paragraphs on a single spread. Text blocks are arranged amid numerous full-color photographs and other illustrations. In Deserts, the type is sometimes hard to read when it appears on background patterns and shading. Unfamiliar words are defined at the bottom of the page on which they appear. Instructions for several craft projects such as a "3-D cactus" and a "Blue whale poster" are appended. Browsers may enjoy the illustrations, but the minimal amount of information and lack of organization limit the books' usefulness. Stick with more coherent titles such as Rebecca L. Johnson's A Walk in the Desert (Carolrhoda, 2001), Wendy Pfeffer's Dolphin Talk (HarperCollins, 2003), and Laurence Pringle's Whales! (Boyds Mills, 2003).-Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.