A Pod of Killer Whales: The Mysterious Life of the Intelligent Orca (Jean-Michel Cousteau Presents) (Paperback)

~ (Author), Jeff Foott (Photographer) "During my growing-up years on the Pacific coast, I never once saw a killer whale..." (more)
Key Phrases: pod members, killer whales

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Images from Free Willy and captive killer whales performing at Sea World don’t tell the real story of these marvelous creatures. With their vast bulk and “killer” instincts, these predators — weighing up to ten tons and eating more than 100 pounds of food a day — rule their underwater world. This lively book introduces young readers to every aspect of these singular beasts, from their surprising social arrangements (living in lifelong family groups) to their pod-specific dialects to their awesome methods of killing prey. Photos by noted wildlife cinematographer Jeff Foott include rare shots of killer whale behavior.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: London Town Press; 2nd edition (December 18, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0976613476
• ISBN-13: 978-0976613473
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.1 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #146,785 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Updated and much improved., December 15, 2004

By	Ned Middleton (British professional underwater photo-journalist & author) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This review is from: A Pod of Killer Whales: The Mysterious and Beautiful Life of the Orca (Close Up) (Paperback)

Whilst no writer should ever talk down to children, there is a requirement for a very different style of writing whenever a book is aimed at the younger reader. This book achieves that requirement rather well - although nowhere does it actually state to which section of readership the book is primarily aimed. It is only by corresponding with the publisher that this information came to light. My point being; If the book were aimed at an adult audience, it would fall well short of the required standards of writing. As a book aimed at younger readers, however, it suddenly comes to life in the way the subject is both explained and portrayed.

This is one in a series of books which seek to explain a specific creature (in this case the Killer Whale) using the collective noun for that creature as part of the title. My favourite title, incidentally is "A Dazzle of Hummingbirds" - but I digress.

The original product was not up to any acceptable mark for any audience, and I would certainly not revise my view of that book just because this series of books is now being distributed by new publishers and that Jean-Michel Cousteau has added his name as Publishing Director. He has also written the foreword which, unfortunately, is more about himself than the book. No!, any re-write - or second edition, needs far more than just that.

In this case, I asked those new publishers some straight forward questions before putting pen to paper. Bearing in mind that I have seen and photographed the Killer Whale in the wild (and sold one of the resultant photographs to National Geographic!), I have a very keen interest in this particular subject.

Thankfully, that overly thick cardboard cover has gone and is replaced by more manageable paperback. The photographs by Jeff Foot remain - and quite rightly so, they are pretty damn good.

Altogether, therefore, this book has been updated and much improved and I do believe it will prove to be an excellent gift for any young reader with an interest in the subject.

This review relates to the second edition of this book in the "Jean-Michel Cousteau presents" series.

NM

1.0 out of 5 stars This book's content is not as thick as it's cover., April 23, 2009

By	Ned Middleton (British professional underwater photo-journalist & author) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

And that just about summarises the book - all cover (which is thick cardboard) and little content. Approx. A4 size with oversized writing, the text commences on page 3 and ends on page 39. No, I have not counted the words - but have written longer magazine articles.

Several photographs are spread across two pages supported by only 30 or so words - and even these are written by the Photographer (Jeff Foot).

Neither a book nor an author to be taken seriously - although the photography is quite excellent. What a pity it was wasted on such an abysmal product.

NM