June 6, 2016
The Sill spouses add to their long-running About... series with a lovely study of more than a dozen aquatic mammals, all captured in wildlife illustrator John Sill’s handsome watercolors. Full-bleed images of humpback whales, polar bears, West Indian manatees, walruses, belugas, and other creatures in their native habitats appear opposite minimal text that focuses on traits common to most or all of these mammals (“Baby marine mammals drink milk from their mother’s body”), rather than getting too species-specific, keeping readers’ focus on the art. An afterword provides deeper detail about the featured animals. Ages 3–8.
July 1, 2016
PreS-Gr 1-This broad introduction to marine mammals covers major characteristics, using illustrations rendered in soft hues to captivate readers. Basic ideas about habitat, diet, behavior, and biology are conveyed through simple sentences with a focus on similarities and differences. For instance, the sentence "They [marine mammals] may live in warm tropical water...or in cold polar seas" is accompanied by a large illustration of spinner dolphins in bright water near an island and an image of a polar bear on an iceberg surrounded by darker water. Because the text is fairly general, young readers may not understand how these creatures differ from or stack up against other aquatic life. Educators and caregivers will likely need to preempt or follow up this reading with a bit more context. The two concluding spreads promote a simple but true message on ocean preservation ("It is important to protect marine mammals and the places where they live."). An afterword expands on each species featured and provides a bit more about marine mammals in general. VERDICT A serviceable addition for young children interested in ocean wildlife.-Nancy Call, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos, CA
Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
June 15, 2016
For the 16th entry in their About... wildlife series, the Sills look to the oceans.In no readily discernible order, the illustrator depicts 18 marine mammals, from sea otters to blue whales--including polar bears and also a vanishingly rare porpoise called the vaquita--in neatly drawn and brushed watercolor portraits. Opposite each picture is an identifying label, along with a very simple line or two about characteristics common to most of these creatures: "All marine mammals must come to the surface of the water to breathe air." The illustrations offer toned-down doses of naturalistic visual detail throughout, such as a porpoise giving birth and an orca chowing down on a shark; selective additions of other creatures provide a helpful sense of scale in several images. A closing gallery of thumbnail-size reproductions of the pictures provides amplifications of the narrative's general statements (baby whales and dolphins compensate for their lack of lips by rolling their tongues into straws to suckle, a takeaway fact if ever there was one). The message that these animals and the oceans in or on which they live need conservation comes through clearly. Dependable fare for budding naturalists. (bibliography, websites) (Informational picture book. 6-8)
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July 1, 2016
Grades K-3 In this, the team of Cathryn and John Sill continue their excellent series of introductory guides for children. The diversity of marine life is spotlighted by brief introductory exposition, full-page watercolors, and a more detailed examination of each included animal or an aspect of its life at the end of the book. The combination of the Early Reading format at the start and the more advanced paragraphs at the back, with supplementary facts and information, broadens the appeal for readers of various levels. The pictures are in a palette of tranquil blues and greens and warm coastal browns, while the breadth of mammal life includes both well-known creatures, such as polar bears and orcas, and lesser-known animals, such as the vaquita, an endangered porpoise feared to be nearly extinct. A glossary, suggestions for further reading, and a list of bibliographic resources used by the creators round off this solid nonfiction treat for budding naturalists.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)
January 1, 2017
A simple sentence or two of text on left-hand pages face detailed full-page paintings of eighteen marine mammals from around the world on the right. Each numbered and labeled plate corresponds to an endnote that contains a fact-filled paragraph with more information on the animal's physical features, habitat, food, etc. Another accessible introduction from the Sills for new nonfiction readers. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos.
(Copyright 2017 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)