Watching Whales: 2 - Hardcover

Grade 5-6-- Although a brief introduction to the mammals and the history of whaling is included, the emphasis of this book is a fifth-grade class trip to observe the marine giants off the New England coast. The writing is sometimes stiff and graceless, but the adventure is well chronicled. The students prepare by participating in the whale adoption program (addresses for other such programs are appended). They learn about the types of whales in the area, their migratory habits, and the likelihood of actually seeing them on their trip. Full-color, close-up photographs accompany the discussion. Everything the class sees is textually and visually detailed--prediving behavior, head and flipper slapping, and breaching (of mostly humpback whales). The controversy over whether whale-watching boats are too intrusive and disturbing to the whales is raised, as is the possibility that future classes may not get such an opportunity to observe these gentle giants. --Frances E. Millhouser, Reston Regional Library, VA
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Full-color action shots of whales cavorting enhance this introduction. Whale anatomy, whaling history, the current sport of whale watching, adopt-a-whale programs, and a typical class on a day aboard a commercial whale-watching boat are all briefly described. The children, sailing from Provincetown, spend most of their time screaming, laughing, and running from one side of the ship to the other; Waters admits that ``whale scientists are beginning to feel that watched whales are being disturbed by the boats that crowd their waters day after day.'' While his writing is trite, filled with ``oohing and aahing,'' the full-page photos and appealing topic will attract an audience. Includes addresses for adopt-a-whale programs, plus brief mention of west-coast and Canadian whale watching. Index. Nonfiction. 10-12) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.