Blue Whales (WorldLife Library Series) (Paperback)

by John Calambokid (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Grade 9 Up?Two picture-book sized descriptions of wildlife. Blue Whales combines empirical data gathered from the authors' direct observations as well as history and information from other sources. Individual chapters treat such specifics as evolution, physiology, whaling and its impact upon the species and its future, and the research methods required to study whales. The full-color photographs are sparkling additions to the narrative. They either stand alone or are captioned with succinct remarks that add depth to the pictures. For example, a close-up of a blow hole is captioned, "A whale's blow hole is so large that a toddler could crawl into it." The half-page listing of facts may summarize the species, but the entire book is a somber exultation and celebration of the largest animal that has ever lived on Earth. Penguins briefly describes the appearance and diet of a variety of these birds, how they live together, and the breeding and development of the young. Although the photographs are beautiful and occasionally stunning, some of the captions detract in their anthropomorphizing; e.g., a picture of a Gentoo penguin carrying a stone is labeled, "Some penguins are habitual thieves and cannot resist the temptation to pilfer...." A facts section summarizes by genus the penguins that reside throughout the southern hemisphere, but without an index to link the information about each penguin, the presentation seems helter skelter.?Frances E. Millhouser, Chantilly Regional Library, VA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
"Calambokidis and Steiger do an excellent job of portraying the giant sea mammal in this book for all ages." -- The Compendium Newsletter

"Using stunning photographs from some of the world's best-known underwater photographers . . . Calambokidis and Steiger present a picture of these great mammals and speculate about their threatened future." -- Ocean Realm

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Product Details

• Paperback: 72 pages
• Publisher: Voyageur Press; First Edition edition (June 2, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0896583384
• ISBN-13: 978-0896583382
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #814,173 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great photos with a thorough scientific review, April 14, 1998

By	[e-mail] (Larmie, WY) - See all my reviews

The text of this book provides an excellent scientific review of what is known about blue whales, particularly off the west coast of North America, where the authors (noted scientists) do their research. The writing style, despite being scientifically detailed, avoids technical terms and flows like a good work of fiction. It is hard not to finish this book once you've started, and it can be read in an evening. The photos portray the blue whale as a sleek, streamlined creature unlike many of the artists drawings which would have us believe whales are bulging creatures with a form unsuited to graceful movement.