“NRDC THE SECRET WORLD OF WHALES,” by Charles Siebert, Chronicle Books, April 20, 2011, $16.99 (ages 9-12)
Whales have interested people from the beginning of time. These beautiful sea creatures seem to defy gravity as they slip through waters with the grace of dancers.
In “The Secret World of Whales” readers are taken back in time, experiencing the history of human encounters with whales.
Written in conjunction with the Natural Resources Defense Council, author Charles Siebert gives readers the latest whale research at their fingertips.
Divided into chapters ranging from “Tales of Whales,” “Whale Hunting” and “Running Out of Whales” to “Early Science of Whales,” “Our Encounters With Whales,” “The Amazing Whale Brain” and “Sound and the Whale,” this book offers fictional stories and real-life adventures.
Photographs, illustrations and scale drawings give readers a sense of the differences between different types of whales in both style and size.
At more than 100 pages, “The Secret World of Whales” is more extensive than your normal picture book. The text and context it presents make this more appropriate for middle readers.
“The Secret World of Whales” is a great starting place for young fans of oceanic dwellers. This introduction gives a comprehensive overview that readers will both enjoy and appreciate.
