From School Library Journal
Gr 3-5 Smyth has incorporated a lot of information about humpback whales into this story about the first year in the life of a whale whom researchers have named Crystal. The fictionalized account follows Crystal and her mother from the West Indies, where Crystal was born one winter, to the coast of New England for spring and summer. The readable text covers birth, food, habits, habitats, physical characteristics, migration, and the singing of humpback whales. Other types of whales that Crystal encounters are described, as are dangers to whales from boat propellors, discarded nets, and other whales. Slightly amateurish black-and-white pencil drawings, borders, diagrams, and a map of the migration route add further information. Similar coverage can be found in books at a higher level, such as Patent's Whales, Giants of the Deep (Holiday, 1984), which includes more history, and at a lower level, such as McGovern's Little Whale (Scholastic, 1980). Back matter includes an epilogue on research and a suggested reading list of books and articles (only a few of which appear to be children's materials). Kathleen Odean, formerly at San Rafael Public Library, Calif.
Copyright 1987 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
