| Booklist / Uncorrected Proof - September 1, 2006
Swinburne, Stephen R.
Saving Manatees.
Oct. 2006. 40p. illus. index. Boyds Mills, $16.95
(1-59078-319-1). 599.5509789.
Gr. 4-6.
"I dare you to look into the face of a manatee and not fall
in love,"
challenges Swinburne in his picture-book sized
overview of the
"slow-moving, water-loving, plant-eating, gentle gray giants." In
each
chapter, Swinburne describes a different visit
to a national wildlife
refuge or other area in Florida's "manatee country," where
he consults with
biologists and park rangers, and joins a field
trip of fourth-graders and
swims with the animals. A more organized, traditional
format, in which
chapters are clearly separated into topics, such
as the animals' habitats,
physiology, behavior, and so on, would have made
this more conducive for
reports. But Swinburne weaves in a great deal
of information into his
enthusiastic, personal narrative, and his vivid
descriptions of his own
experiences with the animals are contagious and
will draw children right
into the subject, as will the many large color
photos of manatees and
researchers. Fact boxes provide quick reference
throughout this obvious
choice for middle-grade science units that will
partner nicely with titles
in the Scientists in the Field series. -Gillian
Engberg
Kirkus Reviews
Around 3,000 West Indian manatees live in Florida's
fresh- and saltwaters. These slow-moving, peaceful,
vegetarian mammals are endangered by red tides and boats. Using many of
his own photographs, an experienced writer/naturalist
introduces these gentle giants to middle-grade readers through accounts
of his own experiences: watching wild and captive
manatees at Florida state parks, observing an autopsy at the Marine Mammal
Pathology Laboratory and snorkeling with a
dozen fourth-graders and the manatees of the Crystal River National Wildlife
Refuge. He notes the controversy over contact with wild animals and
the competition between such creatures and
boaters and developers. Sidebars include fast facts about the species and
its legal protections. Swinburne concludes with suggestions for further
reading, websites and an index. Up-to-date
and informative, this will be a welcome addition to the shelf of information
on endangered species in any library. (Nonfiction.
8-12)
ORDER FROM AMAZON |
