The jokes start right away, as a cheerful dolphin pops up on the front page to say “We’re social animals.” Followed by an orca chasing the dolphins across the title page saying “Wait! Let’s be social!” Each page features a simple line of text with a fact about dolphins, a seascape illustrating the fact, and additional explanations and jokes in boxes and word bubbles. An unnamed, dark-skinned girl scuba dives alongside the dolphins learning all about them. Readers will learn that dolphins aren’t fish and how they can be told apart from fish, that they are mammals, how baby dolphins are born, about echolocation, and many more facts. Many different kinds of dolphins are shown, and some of their unique behaviors and habitats. There are also some pages on dolphins’ threats, mostly from pollution, both chemical and noise, and climate change. A final page is set up like a file with snapshots and facts, as well as some further research facts (divided up into tucuxi-sized books and orca-sized books)
Eaton packs the picture-book sized title full of his trademark tongue-in-cheek humor and friendly cartoon pictures. While I often have trouble getting older readers to pick up picture books, the simple layout and humor of these titles makes them accessible even to kids (and parents) who think “picture books are for babies”. Although there are several more difficult vocabulary words, with some help kids can work through them and there are pronunciation guides for some of the most difficult, like echolocation.
Verdict: Simply and humorously explained, these are a great first introduction to animals and perfect for older readers who aren't yet been able to handle chapter books and younger readers who read at a high level. Recommended.
ISBN: 9781626726680; Published 2018 by Roaring Brook Press; Borrowed from another library in my consortium
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