Beluga Whales

Enter the fascinating realm of sea creatures in the aptly named series, The World of Ocean Animals. Large, gorgeous photos on each spread—plus the occasional map and diagram—draw readers into the ocean habitat and bring them face-to-face with the title animal of each book. Each book’s three chapters center on basic animal facts: bodies, life cycle, place in the food chain, and adaptations to survive in the ocean. With sentences that are short but still convey key information, the text strikes a good balance between readability and sparking readers’ interest. Schuh presents basic but well-chosen facts. For example, Beluga Whale explains that a beluga’s rounded head is called a “melon.” Dolphins reveals that these porpoises make their own unique whistling sounds and can recognize and remember those of other dolphins as well. Harp Seals describes how mother seals recognize their pups by smell. Manatees relays that, despite their size, these gentle giants surprisingly do not have blubber to keep them warm. With ideas for parents and teachers at the beginning, plus a science-themed activity at the end, these books are well-positioned for educational use, and the interesting facts and compelling photos will keep readers engaged as they learn. A glossary and index round out the back matter.—

General information, fun facts, and well-chosen photos introduce animals from ocean habitats. A few sentences per page describe physical characteristics, usually in relation to how those affect behaviors. The beluga’s coloring and neck flexibility, for example, are described in terms of how these features aid its survival (Beluga Whales). Feeding habits, predators, and birth are also covered. Photographs support the facts effectively, showing the animals in their ocean environments, with well-chosen close-ups and useful captions. All images are full page or larger. Other useful visuals include a diagram identifying key body parts and a range map. Varieties within a family are noted in the text when needed in Sea Lions, Dolphins, and Manatees; several books encompass just a single species respectively. VERDICT Excellent introductions to marine creatures.