Product Description

Customer Reviews (3)

Excellent guide
I purchased this guide for my husband (a newly-minted whale naturalist with the American Cetacean Society) on the recommendation of one of their instructors. He is very pleased with it. On a practical level, it is water resistant and has beautiful pictures which can be easily shared with folks on the whale-watch boat.

Absolutely essential for anyone interested in sea mammals
For a long time I have been searching for guides to help identify whales and dolphins in different parts of the world, but until recently there was very little practically-oriented literature available. In the last few years, that has changed and several groundbreaking regional identification guides are now available: for example Whales and Dolphins of the European Atlantic (Ocean Guides) and Whales & Dolphins of the North American Pacific: Including Seals and Other Marine Mammals. So the non-specialist or casual observer is now in with a fighting chance of identifying those dolphins seen on a coastal hike or whales encountered on a ferry crossing.

At the same time, several references on global marine mammals have appeared, of which Shirihai and Jarrett's compact guide is the best of the bunch. Why? First of all, this guide is compact. At under 400 pages, it is small enough to fit into a coat pocket, yet there is enough information to enable the user to identify (potentially) any marine mammal. So this volume is a true field guide. The book covers sirenians (manatees and dugongs), seals, coastal otters and other marine mammals as well as the cetaceans. The text is concise and emphasises key identification features, but there is still room for notes on behaviour and ecology. There are plenty of plates, both photographic and illustrated - all of them of very high quality. It is clear that author and artist have ample field experience have been able, through this book, to put this squarely at the disposal of the user. Finally, the book is printed on high quality glossy paper, which makes it a pleasure to leaf through at home.

So next time I am off on a trip with a chance of encountering whales or dolphins, I will be packing this handy guide in a addition to whatever regional guides I can get my hands on. Meanwhile, I am enjoying some armchair whale-watching as I leaf through the pages back home.

Chris Sharpe, 16 September 2008. ISBN: 0691127573

THE best field gude on this subject; and one of the best of any natural history field guide
There have been a plethora of field guides on marine mammals and most of them, including several recent ones, such as Carwardine's and the Welles', that are quite good. Shirihai and Jarrett's is in a class by itself.However, it is not really intended as a spotting guide for geographic locations.It illustrates and explains the different variations with all the species, has excellent and distinctive photgraphs,wonderful art work of all species and many variants, fine maps, tells of behavioral and diet diffences for various populations of the same species (and hints where there may be new species, or subspecies, to be found).It is the most comprehensive such guide on this, or almost any other, wildlife family and is at a bargain price, even if Amzn.com hasn't yet discounted it.Don't miss this book! ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (7)

Hilarious story
Is there any type of story MT Anderson can't pull off?Whales on Stilts is one of the funniest things I've read in a long time.His droll asides, the deadpan humor, and extreme situations make this a tale that reluctant readers will gobble up!

Stupid on Stilts
I really wanted to dislike this book.

As a big fan of the old juvenile series books Mr. Anderson is making fun of here, I've found most attempts at satirizing them pretty lame, despite the fact that I fully recognize they have been ripe for satire since at least the turn of the century...

from the 19th to the 20th Centuries that is.

In addition IMHO Mr. Anderson is only about half as funny as he thinks he is.Having Jasper Dash, Boy Technonaut, come up with a way to secretly record all photocopies made in the villain's lair onto one convenient, 220 pound wax roll instead of a modern recording medium is kind of funny.

Having Jasper select for the getaway car something with a top speed of 35 mph instead of faster vehicles he already owns because they're not rocket-powered, is not.

And the only word appropriate for describing most of the too frequent authorial asides is tedious.However, I have to admit that Mr. Anderson's story slowly grew on me, kind of like a toenail fungus that won't go away no matter what you do, that makes your toenails so yellow and unsightly that you are ashamed to be seen barefoot until you finally clear it up by taking Natren Healthy Trinity Probiotics 90 Capsules Dairy Free.

Hey, if he can get away with it....

What I cannot deny, though, is that the book got better and better as it careened along.I started out giving it 3 stars, gradually raised it to 4, and then VERY grudgingly raised it 5 as he actually pulled off a pretty spectacular ending.

Unfortunately, since this is the first book in a series: M. T. Anderson's Thrilling Tales, I guess that means I shall now be forced to read The Clue of the Linoleum Lederhosen and Jasper Dash and the Flame-Pits of Delaware.

I can hardly wait!

the funniest book I've ever read
I read this aloud to my kiddos (ages 11, 8, and 5). We laughed until we cried, literally. I've recommended it to all of my friends with kids. It's just huge fun. It was tough deciding what to follow it with, it was that good. (We decided on the Percy Jackson series.)

funny and random
Lily is just a normal girl.Her best friends are anything but normal. One is Jasper Dash, Boy Technonaut.He can invent anything!Her other best friend is a super hero that has her own series of book and active fan club.Lily leads a normal life until one day she visits her father's office as part of a school assignment.While there she makes a startling discovery!Her father's company is making stilts for evil robotic whales that plan to take over the word.It's all up to Lily and her friends to save the day!This book reminded us of the Lemony Snicket's "A Series of Unfortunate Events" stories.It'svery random and full of humor!

Great for all ages
My kids and I listened to this book on CD while on a trip. I had to talk my 16-year-old son into it, as he was convinced he would not like it. We all loved it. The reader was great, but the book itself was brilliant. Great pace, great characters, smart humor. You won't be disappointed. ... Read more

Product Description
Clarifying common misconceptions about animals, such as the differences between alligators and crocodiles, an introduction to animal traits explains how scientific classifications are made. Reprint. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Some things I didn't even know....
I like this book mainly because it went to extraordinary lengths to explain why a whale isn't a fish or the differences between a crocodile, an alligator a frog, and a toad.

The thing that surprised me the most is finding out the difference between a donkey and a mule. I never knew that mules couldn't reproduce. I did know that they were stubborn. I also didn't know that there was such a thing as the butterfly moth.

All in all, I found this book entertaining to read and would recommend it to young readers. ... Read more

Product Description
This title is suitable for toddlers and ages upwards. With text approved by the animal authorities at SeaWorld, photographs provided by the parks, and with the well-known SeaWorld brand on the cover, the marine animal's series is sure to be a big seller. To begin the series are the dolphins - the clowns of the sea; the sea lions - the clowns of circuses everywhere; the killer whale - made cuddly by Shamu the star of SeaWorld; and the adorable penguins - birds in formal attire with a funny waddle. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great non fiction for toddlers
We bought this -and others in the series- to keep at our beach house on the gulf coast of Florida. Our kids are fascinated by the sea life down there.

The books have a combination of photos, text and illustrations. The photos are nice, clear shots, but don't always match the text perfectly which is why they add the illustrations. It works! Best of all, there is not too much information- just enough for a toddler/preschooler. My kids, 2 and 4, don't pick this every night, but it's definitely a regular in the mix.

Warning!
The text in this book and the dolphin book are VERY similar...Ok, so a lot of the info is the same (they both live in pods, for example), but I think the author could have found a way to change them up. I would NOT recommend buying both. ... Read more

Product Description
Aspiring artists discover how easy it is to create their own aquatic companions while they absorb fun facts about the sea along the way. "Fascinating sea creatures are created with quick strokes of the pen by following his step-by-step guide."--Baton Rouge Morning Advocate. throughout. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Grandson loved it!
It was a birthday gift for a grandson and he loved it.He is really in to drawing creatures and he is having a grand time learning to draw all the sea creatures.

Draw 50 Sharks, Whales, Other Sea Creatures
This book has been fun for our kids, and they love being able to trace the full picture if they don't feel like drawing them.

Great book for budding artists of any age.
I have 4 books in this series, and this is another good one.Easy to follow and good variety of pictures to pick from.

Kids Can Draw!
My 8 yr old loves drawing! This book shows you step by step how to get sea creatures to appear on the page! Fun for all of us. Great gift idea for any budding artist (or any parent who wants to draw cool things for their kids).

Wonderful, simple, and intruiging!
"Draw 50 Sharks..." is an excellent book for children and adults interested in marine life, and at the same time wish to appreciate art. I found the step-by-step sketch examples non-intimidating as some drawingbooks present themselves. Children will find this book useful as a templatefor drawing sea creatures, and can improvise from them. The book is a"must-read" for children. Teachers should incorporate this bookinto their curriculum as a way to spark creativity in children. ... Read more

Product Description
Based on the real-life event that inspired Paula Kluth and Patrick Schwarz s bestselling Just Give Him the Whale!, this simple but powerful story introduces educators to one of the best, most effective inclusion strategies: using students fascinations to help them learn.

Pedro, a young boy who loves whales more than anything, is heartbroken when he s told to put away his favorite toy whale on the first day of school. But then Pedro s teacher discovers the secret to helping him do his best work: not only giving him his whale, but also incorporating his special interest into the whole curriculum. Soon, Pedro s whale is helping all the children learn, as the teacher works whales into math lessons, storytime, simple science experiments, and more! Pedro s whale helps him make friends, too, as the other children start to share his special interest.

An ideal teaching tool, Pedro s Whale will inspire educators to harness their students natural motivations. The engaging, full-color illustrations (by Justin Canha, a gifted artist on the autism spectrum) also make this book perfect for storytime, so all children can increase their sensitivity to peers with special needs and learning differences.

Everyone who reads Pedro s Whale will remember its eye-opening message: when you work with instead of against what students love, they feel safe, happy, and ready to learn. Used in tandem with Just Give Him the Whale!, this enlightening story will help teachers maximize inclusion and ensure that students with and without disabilities reach their full potential. ... Read more

Product Description
How can we understand the language of whales? How will the evolving composition of seawater affect life on earth? Why do whales sing? Roger Payne has listened to the whales' haunting songs for most of his adult life and taught us to listen too. He's swum with them. He's fought for them. He's studied them and become the world's foremost cetacean biologist.

"His Knowledge Of These Animals Is Unsurpassed, His Prose Elegant And Moving."

-- Edward O. Wilson, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Diversity of Life

Sharing his scientific observations in spellbinding detail, Payne brings vividly to life the awesome presence of these great, noble -- and desperately threatened -- creatures. A work of biology, of philosophy, and most certainly of literature, Among Whales is more than a book about whales. It is also a journey of the heart, a journey of discovery about the larger questions of life on earth.

"A StoreHouse Of Knowledge Fired By Love."

-- The Washington Post

Passionate in his love, Roger Payne is also passionate in his outrage at the whalers who slaughter whales for profit and at the pollutants that are destroying our oceans. His words shimmer with truth; his ideas strike powerfully at our consciences. Destined to become a classic, Among Whales is a book of great beauty -- a cautionary tale every one of us who cares about our planet must read. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Did you like the cetology chapters in Moby Dick?
Satisfy your literary and scientific interest in whales--and it is a select few who have both--with Payne's fantastic and sadly out-of-print book.

By way of a deeper wrinkle, it should also be pointed out that Payne is (allegedly) a good friend of Cormac McCarthy, whose novel "Blood Meridian" has been characterized as the twentieth century's answer to "Moby Dick."At some point in the last twenty-five years, McCarthy wrote a (still unpublished) screenplay called "Whales and Men," which includes a character believed to be based on Payne.(McCarthy is credited in "Among Whales.")So, two literary strands, Melville and McCarthy, and one scientific one, cetology, are smoothly wound in Payne's book.Used copies abound.

Among whales.
This was a marvelous read although its flaws were sometimes predictable. I will try to minimize references to the flaws because the book was generally a joy to read. Payne has spent his passion on whales and presents a treasure trove of information, about the behavior, history, plight, and politics of the great cetaceans. Where he sticks to empirical science (which fortunately is most of the book), the eminent whale biologist takes the reader along on a wonder-filled journey beneath the waves. Accounts of his personal life fit nicely with accounts of his work. The reader comes to feel that, in some sense, he knows right whales and humpbacks, and knows Mr. Payne. The insights into the psychology, economics and politics of whaling are fascinating and troubling and are issues with which more people should have some familiarity.
The book is so good that I almost hate to offer any detracting comments, but in the interest of truth I must: (1.) Payne assigns a kind of well-intended and hopeful 'happy face' to zoological and marine parks. Yes, zoos and marine parks do educate the public, but that education is primarily this -- that wild animals make excellent and profitable corporate merchandise. For compelling counterpoint read Jack Turner's The Abstract Wild. (2.) Payne's metaphysical musings are too typical of a large number of biologists. Gaia is not science; it is a philosophy of aesthetics similar to aboriginal pantheism. The concept of "collectively immortal" biology presents the conclusion that, as Payne says, Life is god. It makes for a pleasant enough concept until it is subjected to critical analysis. Some priests of biology should (collectively?) think a little deeper. One needn't adopt a Star Trek religion or a form of shamanism to respect bio-diversity. Assailing Christianity because it was the claimed practice of "God fearing" and blood thirsty sea captains is as logically dubious as attacking biological science because it was the claimed practice of a Dr. Josef Mengele, is the claimed practice of the Japanese "scientific" whaling industry, and is in fact the practice of developers of biological warfare agents. The evil besetting nature is not theism, it is holy capitalism, saint self-interest, a god called greed, and hard-hearted indifference. In short, small minded selfishness. Most scientists, including Payne, are at their best when they stick with science (although the mathematical sciences have lent the world some excellent philosophers).
All nay-saying aside, this is a book well worth reading.

Touched By Whales
I am astonished that this book is out of print.How can this be?Why aren't people using it as a textbook in writing, psychology, ethics and marine biology classes?Why aren't high schools and universities clamouring to have Roger Payne speak at their commencement exercises? Why isn't he being interviewed by Oprah and Good Morning America?Why isn't the name Roger Payne as familiar to us as Jacques Cousteau or Keiko the whale?Believe me, it should be.

Roger Payne is a cetacean scientist - that is to say he studies whales - however that doesn't begin to tell you about what he really does or who he really is.You see, Roger Payne swims up to Right Whales and looks them in the eye.He hangs upside down next to Humpback whales in order to experience their bone shaking songs up close.He spends hundredsd of hours a year on boats watching and recording the movements, behaviors and songs of whales.Best of all, Roger Payne has stories to tell about another world that exists beyond land.He knows and can prove, for example, that Humpback whales sing.Yes sing. Not simply make sounds but create rhythm, patterns and notes in sequences that put some of our greatest composers to shame.He has stories to tell of his encounters with whales that make it abundantly clear that they think, feel and communicate.In short Roger Payne has something to teach us about our relationship to another species on this planet, and we should be listening.

But if you're not the sort to read a book just because it would be good for you, read it because Payne is a fine writer whose stories are well told and fascinating, and whose scientific explanations are so clear that even the most scientifically-challenged person can follow.Read it because it will enchant you with its descriptions of whales at play and captivate you with its studies of why whales do what they do.Read it because it will challenge your mind and touch your heart. It's that good.

a great book for an aspirering ceteacean biologist
Roger Payne brings up issuses that this world is going to have to deal with in the years to come. His passion for cetaceans shows through in every page, I encourage everyone to read this masterpeice!

Outstanding!!!
If you have wondered about the beauty of these mammals, then you must read this book.Roger Payne shares the wonders of the graceful aminals.If you care for them at all, then you are foolish not to read this book.It hasreally bought me closer to who they really are. ... Read more

Product Description
A comprehensive guide to the whales of the world and where to see them.

Every year, more than four million people go whale watching, and the numbers keep growing. This beautifully illustrated guidebook will be the best handy reference for whale watchers.

All recognized species of cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) are described in this book. Stunning action photography of each is coupled with detailed information on where and when to see each species and how to identify it through behavior and physical characteristics. There are featured spreads on 40 of the most fascinating and frequently watched whales. For quick and easy identification, the families and species are organized in descending order of size, from the blue whale to the tiniest dolphins and porpoises.

The natural history and habitat of each animal is described in detail, along with the latest research on topics such as cetacean communication and social structure. There are also maps, other helpful illustrations and addresses, as well as travel tips on locations for whale watching responsibly. Also included is updated information on endangered species and conservation efforts.

Whale Watcher is the most comprehensive book for anyone planning a safe and successful watching trip. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

STUNNING book on Whales....10 stars!! WHALE WATCHER
The photos in this book are off the charts GEORGEOUS! Thee best I've ever seen. More RARE whales are included that are difficult to see/find any pictures of anywhere.this is a gem of a book!!I am a book fanatic...and this one is truly spectacular! Its a great gift book. Its easy to read, to handle, and the photos could all be framed.The best whale book out there.

Great Book
I bought this book because my Fiancee and I were going on an Alaskan cruise and a whale watching excursion. I tought it would be a handy reference book, but it is a little bit too big to easily carry around with you. It has great photos and a lot of good information in it to help you identify what you just saw. It is a really nice book and I just like looking through it. The size didn't really matter, because we were too busy oohhing and aahhing when we saw Humpback whales and Pacific White-sided Dolphins to be flipping through the book anyway.

Perfect for travel and science reference collections alike!
Dramatic color action photos blend an expert's advice on whale natural history with a travel observer's tips on where to find and how to identify the species. From maps to identification keys, WHALEWATCHER is packed with the latest on not only whales but dolphins and related species, with plenty of color photos throughout: perfect for travel and science reference collections alike! ... Read more

Product Description
Oh, no! A baby humpback whale is stuck on a rocky island. Join Diego as he twists and turns in this adventure through the rainforest and ocean! After reading the story, children can learn exciting facts about humpback whales! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Great book!
I've just about got it memorized since my son makes me read it every night!

Really like this book!
My daugther just turned 2 and she loves this book. She makes us read it again and again. It's like a condensed version of a real Diego show. The child has to choose which path to take and what 'vehicle' to take to get to the ocean, etc. My daugther loves choosing which the correct item and repeating after Diego. It's a short, little paperback book and I'm shopping for similar ones.

Great book
We have owned this book for a few years now, and my son continues to enjoy it.It follows the same pattern as an episode of Diego, so it was familiar from the first time we read it.

A bit too abbreviated
The story "jumps ahead" too much and lacks continuity to help the kids understand what just happened. Some of the Diego and Dora stories are better written and don't "skip" thought processes children of this age need.
Not that it's a bad story--the children ask for it often. It's just that some of the others are better written and don't leave parts of the story to assumption.

A good pic!
My three-year-old son really likes this one, especially since the ocean and "Tuga" the sea turtle are involved. ... Read more

Product Description
In a rare blend of scientific fact and poetic truth, the acclaimed author of A Natural History of the Senses explores the activities of whales, penguins, bats, and crocodilians, plunging headlong into nature and coming up with highly entertaining treasures. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

a gem
This is a beautiful book, full of vivid descriptions and scientific information presented as lyrical prose.I read it for the first time 15 years ago and still remember it - it imprinted itself on my soul.A must-read for anyone who loves animals.

Light Nature Essays
This collection of essays is certainly beautifully written. The topics of bats, crocodiles, whales and penguins were all fascinating and fairly informative. The book just didn't really wow me - much of the information was not new and though the author put herself into the essays, there wasn't really enough of that to put a more interesting angle on the collection as a whole.

Nature Adventures
"The many colors were in the ever-bluing sky, in the cloud formations, the muted light, the midnight sun, the auroras dancing over still waters with icebergs and crash ice, and in areas that dazzled like small hand mirrors, through which black-and-white penguins dove." ~ pg. 233

Diane Ackerman is a woman who throws herself into her research with a sense of abandon. She blends her own experience with mythology and interesting facts and turns each journey into an exciting adventure. In this book she explores the worlds of bats, crocodiles, whales and penguins.

When discussing bats she writes so beautifully you can almost imagine having a bat as a pet, and some people do. They seem cuddly and cute! This was a surprise and anyone who is afraid of bats should read the first section. Not only are they loveable, they help to pollinate flowers and disperse seeds for trees.

The section on whales is magestic and awe inspiring. We learn about whales that "sail" and learn about various whale behaviours. Diane swims with a mother and a baby whale and they seem to be watching her as much as she is observing them.

To complete the book, a section on penguins looks at how they live in captivity vs. how they live in the wild. A close encounter with an attacking leopard seal adds excitement to the story about Antarctica. In each story, Diane Ackreman shows incredible bravery and makes you long for your own nature adventure. If you love this book, you may also enjoy:

A Natural History of the Senses
Cultivating Delight: A Natural History of My Garden
An Alchemy of Mind: The Marvel and Mystery of the Brain

~The Rebecca Review
Once I held a baby bat in my hands
as a child in Africa...

An Ace for Ackerman
I was assigned to read this novel for an English class and was not excited to dive into a scienc book. But the depth of Ackerman's poetic words creates had changed my thought. The Moon by Whale Light not only capivates the reader's thoughts of the endless beauty of the natural world but also inhances our appreication of well-written literature.Needless to say I will be asking for another of Ackerman's poetry books for under the Christmas tree.

intriguing
Naturalist-writer Diane Ackerman writes passionately about several animals and their habitats in this collection of nature essays.In sensuous prose she captures the experiences of whale watching, alligator sexing, bat investigating, and visiting Antarctica to view penguins in the wild.Ackerman gets up close and personal with these intriguing creatures, using poetic prose to describe their habitats, habits and appearance.Not only do the animals come alive, so too do the naturalists and various people she meets in her travels.

... Read more

Product Description
Filled with “breathtaking scenes” and “vivid” (Publishers Weekly) imagery, national bestselling author Douglas Carlton Abrams’s riveting ecological thriller blends shockingly true facts with a powerful narrative that pulls readers into a dangerous race through a majestic and mysterious world.Dedicated scientist Elizabeth McKay has spent almost a decade cracking the code of humpback whale communication. Their song, the most complex in nature, may in fact reveal unimaginable secrets about the animal world. When a humpback whale swims up the Sacramento River with a strange and unprecedented song, Elizabeth must decipher its meaning in order to save the whale and ultimately much more. But as her work captures the media’s interest, powerful forces emerge to stop her from revealing the animal’s secrets. Soon, Elizabeth is forced to decide if her discoveries are worth losing her marriage, her career, and possibly her life.Working closely with leading scientists for his extensive research into humpback whales and the harrowing ecological challenges they face today, national bestselling author Douglas Carlton Abrams has created a unique and timeless story that will transform readers and their relationship with the fragile world in which we live. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Fascinating story
This fascinating story, told in vivid prose, kept me on the edge of my seat right up until the very end. Great read!

Certainly NOT fine literature
This book is so poorly contrived and written that I had a terrible time making myself finish it.The descriptions, characters and even the basic premise are all so outlandish that one walks away with the feeling that environmental issues are cartoonish and storyland issues as in "Once upon a time, a whale named Apollo swam up the river to bring this... this sort of dull normal, pregnant marine biologist a message to save her marriage, her unborn baby and the Earth.But it was too late... THE END."Save yourself the time and money!

The interview was better
Like another reviewer, I had heard a fascinating radio interview with the author and was excited to read this book. What a disappointment! An outlandish storyline and cartoonish characters do a disservice to the big environmental topics (and fascinating whale research) the book attempts to take on. It could have been great, but it was awful. The big letdown reminded me of how I felt after watching the first X-Files movie, "Fight the Future," back in the 90s. (I just looked the movie up on Amazon and saw that one reviewer described it as "convoluted, cheesy, and overwrought" ... which also happens to be a good description of this book.) I gave the book two stars instead of one only because of the interesting interview.

A must read!

Abram's book, The Eye of the Whale is a magnificent page-turner. I was right there, rolling on the waves of the ocean drawn from one thrilling episode to the next. For those who are awed by the majesty of the sea, who feel a sense of responsibility to protect the earth's fragile web of life, and those with a deep appreciation of well crafted literature, it's a must read. His book offers a courageous look at one of the biggest challenges of our time. Well done!
Linda Bloom, co-author of Secrets of Great Marriages
and 101 Things I Wish I Knew When I Got Married.

I stayed up too late reading this
I could not go to sleep until I learned what happened to the whale and to Elizabeth, and it was worth the lost sleep.Eye of the Whale is terrific, dramatic, timely, scientifically accurate, and an important novel. It's about a whale who is stranded, but it's also about our oceans, our health, our children, the whaling industry and more. Read the acknowledgments and learn how the science behind the writing is spot on, informed by experts in the fields of whaling, oceans, toxins, etc. Amazing how Abrams got so much science into a great story, and how I - an English major and science phobe - enjoyed reading it. ... Read more

Product Description
A young boy stands on the beach with his father. As they watch the surf, a pod of Orca whales swim by. After wondering aloud whether the whales can talk like he does, the boy then imagines the whales' conversations, and whether they aretalking about him under the bubbling waves, just as he talks about them on the land."I bet those whales have signposts down below. An ocean mountain or a sunken ship. Maybe another whale that tells them, 'Follow me! We'll make a right at this white rock.' That is, if whales can talk." Backmatter provides facts about these magnificent animals.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Beautiful!
This is a beautifully written and illustrated book, with several facts woven throughout the story.

A great bookaboutwhales
My son loved this book so much we had to buy it. He took it oit of the library 4 weeks in a row. If your children likes animals, not just whales they will like this one too! ... Read more

Product Description

Whales and Dolphins Wild Guide is the perfect introduction to 96 species of whale, dolphin, and porpoise. This pocket-size guide is essential for the family reference shelf, helping you to identify each species and discover more about them.

Customer Reviews (19)

Informative and Fantastic Illustrations!
This book has ALL the cetaceans presently known of with the exception of the Snubfin Porpoise, since it was discovered after this book's publication. Usually I would go for a book with real photos over illustrations but this particular one is so phenomenal and detailed. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a concise 'rundown' of all the world's cetaceans.

Majestic mammals
My love for whales dolphins and porpoises spans over 5 decades. I have always searched for books to read on all that pertains to cetaceans. This book is the reference book that no cetacean lover can be without. The photography the information excellent. I would recommend this book to anyone.

whales dolphins and porpoises
the ultimate guide, including all cetacean species known to mna, even the elusive beaked whales. Even inlcudes a species or two that had only been discovered by skulls. The illustrations for those species are the artist's impressions. The artist is the amazing marc carwardine. Excellent guide for cetacean lovers

An outstanding book.
Once again, reading the list of photo-credits at the back of this book is like reading the index in a "Who's Who in the world of Underwater Photography." This is an exciting book with colour photographs (though occasionally a map or diagram) on every single page and the standard of reproduction is as good as it gets.

As with "Sharks & Rays" (a book in the same series), the content is also as good as it gets and, if you only had room to pack a single book on the subject before setting out to discover some of these excellent creatures, then this book will satisfy all your requirements.

Commencing with their customary "Understanding" Whales Dolphins and Porpoises, the reader is then taken on a journey which provides a complete and wide understanding of these incredible creatures - many species of which remain on the brink of extinction. With sections on hunting, captivity, migration and much more plus a page dedicated to each specific species, this book is as complete as it should be and fully lives up to the promise in the title of being an "Ultimate" guide.

Altogether and excellent book and an essential addition to any scuba diver's library.

NM

An outstanding book.
Once again, reading the list of photo-credits at the back of this book is like reading the index in a "Who's Who in the world of Underwater Photography." This is an exciting book with colour photographs (though occasionally a map or diagram) on every single page and the standard of reproduction is as good as it gets.

As with "Sharks & Rays" (a book in the same series), the content is also as good as it gets and, if you only had room to pack a single book on the subject before setting out to discover some of these excellent creatures, then this book will satisfy all your requirements.

Commencing with their customary "Understanding" Whales Dolphins and Porpoises, the reader is then taken on a journey which provides a complete and wide understanding of these incredible creatures - many species of which remain on the brink of extinction. With sections on hunting, captivity, migration and much more plus a page dedicated to each specific species, this book is as complete as it should be and fully lives up to the promise in the title of being an "Ultimate" guide.

Altogether and excellent book and an essential addition to any scuba diver's library.

NM


... Read more

Product Description
Profusely illustrated guide for the layman covers physical description, common and scientific names, coloration, distinguishing features, distribution, much more. Over 560 photographs of blue whales, humpbacks, killer whales, bottlenose dolphins, Dall’s porpoise, dozens of other species, make it easy to identify ocean-going mammals. 563 black-and-white photographs. 17 drawings. Bibliography. Appendices.
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Customer Reviews (2)

the BEST field guide for North Pacific cetaceans
This manual contains the technical information necessary for distinguishing similar species at sea. Numerous black-and-white photos show all important field characteristics. Detailed analysis of the field characteristics separating the various large Balaenopterids is especially useful. Species which have been recorded as accidental are also included. Updating information about the presence of Hyperoodon (or Indopacetus??) in Pacific waters near the equator would be useful, although photos of 'unidentified' Ziphidae are included. This is the only book I take out with me for field cruises.

An useful guide
This is an excellent book for those who are looking for a guide for whalewatching. But it is more technical than the average, which is good in some cases. FOr me it was very useful when going to sea, because I wanted detailed information, but other people look only for pictures. Which is the only problem here, because they are all in black and white. ... Read more

Product Description
This unprecedented volume presents a sweeping picture of what we know about the natural history, biology, and ecology of whales in the broad context of the dynamics of ocean ecosystems. Innovative and comprehensive, the volume encompasses multiple points of view to consider the total ecological impact of industrial whaling on the world's oceans. Combining empirical research, ecological theory and modeling, and historical data, its chapters present perspectives from ecology, population biology, physiology, genetics, evolutionary history, ocean biogeography, economics, culture, and law, among other disiplines. Throughout, contributors investigate how whaling fundamentally disrupted ocean ecosystems, examine the various roles whales play in food webs, and discuss the continuing ecological chain reactions to the depletion of these large animals. In addition to reviewing what is known of the current and historic whale populations, Whales, Whaling, and Ocean Ecosystems considers how this knowledge will bear on scientific approaches to conservation and whaling in the future and provocatively asks whether it is possible to restore ocean ecosystems to their pre-whaling condition. ... Read more

Product Description
Nine tales, selected and retold here by anthropologist and author Theodora Kroeber for the adult general-interest reader. The new foreword by her son, Karl Kroeber, provides context about the author's methods and describes his own personal connection to the stories themselves. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A Poem for Ishi
Theodora Kroeber is best known for her account of Ishi, the Yahi or Yana Native American who emerged from a life of evasion of 'the White Man' in Northern California, at the beginning of the 20th Century, and had the fortune to fall into the 'care' of anthropologists rather than bounty hunters. Theodora never met Ishi. Her book was first published in 1961, while Ishi died in 1916. Theodora worked from the notes of her famous pioneering anthropologist husband, Alfred Kroeber, after his death. Details of her account have been challenged by later writers, but the story of Ishi has become an icon of America's callous disruption and decimation of indigenous cultures. Indeed, of all the nations of the Western Hemisphere, the USA has most thoroughly and hypocritically 'cleansed' itself of its "First Nations" , their languages and their significance in the modern population. Ishi spent his few last years at what is now the UCSF Medical Center, wher he is said to have roamed the wildly neglected UC property called The Sutro Forest. That land is still undeveloped and overgrown, though the vegetation isn't remotely what Ishi might have explored. There are semi-secret paths through the gullies of the forest, and one comes upon makeshift tributes to Ishi here and there.

It was the second marriage for both the elderly Alfred and the younger Theodora. Their daughter is the well-known fantasy novelist Ursula Le Guin, who in turn has a daughter, Elizabeth Le Guin, who is a very fine baroque cellist, performing with Philhormonia and Tafelmusik. Quite a family!

This is a collection of stories based on the oral traditional narratives ofNorthern Californian Native Americans. It is not written as ethnographic material; rather, the stories are told in forthright literary English. Nonetheless, they taste and smell authentic, and make excellent reading. Both of Theodora Kreober's book are popular assignments to high school students in California, as they should be. The title story tells of a young gray whale tossed by a tsunami into a fresh water lake; it's a reflection of the kind of calamity that can result from "imbalance" between humanity and nature. And it's a memorable story as literature.

I first read this collection many years ago. As if by fate, it suddenly popped up at the top of my to-read-again stack. The title story still impressed me, so I wrote a poem in response to its impact:

THE INLAND WHALE

A hard land to need
consolation from. An awkward visit,
rainy weather in a small tent.What tells it to exist?
Subsistence in the cave of care
conditions one, as the thoughts of a landlocked whale

teach one to dream of whales,
one who camps out at this inland sea and persists
despite overweariness.Without some need,
a self gets stagnant.... a landscape too familiar to visit,
a flood reflected in a puddle, a care

which accommodates itself.Those who care
are amphibious and may procreate in need,
though both care and need are fantasies of a whale
which fills its pond to overflowing, as the womb would be filled
if the child could more than visit.

A hard land to visit:
steep granitic shores, from which the whale's
fluke, or its spout, is visible at times...where if you care
to listen, you can hear the whale sing of need-
lessness, sameness of self and sea, the will

awash in the sea it displaces. Life
crawls up these shores too surfeited to care.
A departure without a visit:
all creatures dry or finny being dreams of the whale...
a land where care displaces need.

Voices of the First Americans
Kroeber heard these stories mostly from Natives who had begun their syncretism with the modern world. These stories are rightly told in a contemporary fashion. For instance, Eskimo kinship terms are utilized to establish kindred, (grandfather, uncle, etc.) instead of the more traditional, descriptive anthropological method of using terms such as "fathers-mothers-sister."

Theodora Kroeber can be congratulated for this great little book of traditional stories from California's Native Americans. Lessons can be learned, values can be taught, and more importantly, the people who originally inhabited these lands can have their voices heard. This book is appropriate for all age groups, but I would insist also that this book be read to youngsters, who could indubitably benefit from the lessons taught within.

Truly a great piece of ethnographic work and literature simultaneously. ... Read more

Product Description
Winner of the Somerset Maugham Award and a London Times bestseller, The Queen of Whale Cay is a marvelous portrait of one of the twentieth century's great eccentrics.

When Marion "Joe" Carstairs died in 1993 at the age of ninety-three, she was largely forgotten. During the 1920s she held the world record as the fastest female speedboat racer. But as journalist Kate Summerscale discovered, when researching an obituary for the Daily Telegraph, Carstairs was also a notorious crossdresser who favored women and smoked cheroots. Supremely self-confident, she inherited a Standard Oil fortune and knew how to spend her money--on fast boats and cars, on her female lovers, and on a Caribbean Island, Whale Cay, where she reigned over a colony of Bahamians. There, far from her bohemian past in London and Paris, Carstairs hosted a succession of girlfriends and celebrities, including Marlene Dietrich and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. Through it all, she remained devoted to Lord Todd Wadley, a little doll who was her bosom companion until the very end.

"A small jewel of a biography." --The New Yorker

"Riveting . . . reads like a fastpaced, truelife adventure. . . . A personal, intimate portrait of an outrageous, oddly admirable woman." --San Francisco Chronicle

"Fun and funny. . . Summerscale tells her story with an affectionate, knowing eye . . . in a narrative style that captures the tone and spirit of Carstairs' times." --The Boston GlobeAmazon.com Review
British eccentric Marion "Joe" Carstairs (1900-1993)was a world-class speedboat racer, heiress to the Standard Oilfortune, ruler of her own Caribbean Island ... and a cross-dressinglesbian. This biography places Carstairs's adventurous life in thecontext of 20th-century attitudes toward sexual deviance. During thepermissive 1920s, Carstairs was able to flaunt her taste for women inthe bohemian circles of London and Paris. She had affairs withnumerous gals, including Natalie Barney and Dolly Wilde, Oscar'sniece. When writing about Carstairs's boat races, the press of thatroaring decade regarded her as a loveable tomboy. But as social normsshifted in the '30s, Carstairs's lifestyle was frowned upon. So sheacquired Whale Cay, an island off the coast of Florida, turned it intoher own version of paradise, became a gentleman farmer, and had anaffair with Marlene Dietrich. Carstairs's most important and long-term relationship, though, was with Lord Tod Wadley, a stuffed leatherdoll. --Rebecca Brown ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Sui Generis
It's easy to love the story of a true eccentric, and Marion "Joe" Carstairs does not disappoint in this regard.Born in America in 1900 and heiress to the Standard Oil fortune, she left home at age 11 and spent her youth adventuring in Europe--it is hard, in fact, to shake off the impression that she must be British.Adopting a masculine persona as suggested by her name, Joe raced speedboats and sported tattoos with a fake moustache and romanced a bevy of lesbian lovers (including Marlene Dietrich and other beautiful actresses).She preferred to live life in the fast lane and reveled in flouting the feminine traditions of that post-Victorian era.In fact, Joe took pains to create her image without necessarily being truthful.Aren't a good story and a sense of mystery always preferable to dull facts?But when the roaring 20s gave way to the more sober 30s, Joe decided to beat a retreat from the continent to the Bahamian island of Whale Cay (pronounced "key").How nice to be able to buy your own island in 1933 for only $40K . . .

She took with her a doll, Lord Tod Watley, who was her closest companion for 60 years.Tod sported a wardrobe of tailor-made costumes, and there are many photographs in this book of him posed in various tableaus.He starts out as a young, boyish figure whom most might find endearing, but with advancing age his leather face cracked and discolored making him a rather gruesome figure.It is a bit pathetic that ultimately Joe could tolerate no human partner for long while always openly adoring him.In fact, the book intimates that in her later years Joe made have tolerated unkind treatment from others simply out of fear that they might retaliate against Tod in some way if she displeased them.

Long story short, Joe took Whale Cay from being a virtually uninhabited island and built herself a palatial home, then took care to develop the rest of the land for the benefit of others.She had her own little fiefdom going for a while.But age took its toll on her, and in 1975 she sold this topical paradise for just under $1M.(Google it, and you will see just how beautiful it is.)She moved back to the United States where she lived to the age of 93, at which time she was cremated along with Wadley and interred in a tomb by the sea.

A fascinating subject completely misunderstood
Joe Carstairs comes off as a fascinating study of what it was like to be a moneyed lesbian somewhat outside the usual literary lesbians of the early 20th century.There aren't many stories about these women, and we can certainly use more.

Alas, Carstair's definitive biography is yet to be written.Summerscale uses Freudian analysis-- badly-- and literary allusions-- somewhat better-- to illustrate who and what Carstairs was about.Summerhill basically creates a book that is about 50 years behind the time it was written.It would help if Summerscale had any actual clue about lesbian culture and cultural theory, but it seems she'd rather turn Carstairs into a freak instead of exploring her as an outsider.

The most egregious example of this is early on in the book, in which she talks about how Carstairs "rejects her feminity to reinvent herself."You can't reject what you don't have in the first place.Grounding the biography firmly in the mistaken beleif that a female body will naturally be feminine creates a caricature of Carstairs rather than the fully human characterization she deserves.

This is worth reading, but it's worth reading with a very critical eye on Summerscale's clunky writing and outdated analysis.

A great life story ineptly written
Kate Summerscale stumbled onto a treasure trove when she was asked in the 12990s to write the obituary for a British daily for M. B. "Joe" Carstairs, an eccentric Standard Oil heiress who had set speedboating records in the 1920s and who literally ruled her own Bahamian island for several decades, not only paying all the inhabitants directly out of her pocket but also establishing their rules and punishments. Carstairs also was one of the great lesbian lovers of the twentieth century, having affairs with dozens of beautiful actresses including Greta Garbo and Tallulah Bankhead--and to top off everything, was obsessed with a small leather manikin she named "Lord Tod Watley" and took with her everywhere, proclaiming him the great love of her life. The material is so terrific that this slim little biography can't help but be a fun read, but the book is held back tremendously by Summerscale's amateurish writing style, which consists of endless flatly declarative sentences and which rarely uses transitions between new ideas. Clearly Summerscale is quite erudite (her allusions to Woolf and Djuna Barnes are not only illuminating but actually quite clever), but the prose was a real drawback to what would have been otherwise a terrific tale.

WIld And Sexy -- Not!!!
On paper, this book sounds fabulous. A rich, beautiful lesbian lives a scandalous life filled with excitement, traveling around the world, meeting lots of famous people, and making love to dozens of willing female partners. Imagine a Howard Stern sex epic with a sumptuous budget and a Merchant Ivoery feel!

Kay Summerscale does a very professional job as a biographer. Unfortunately, the story is not that exciting. Yes, Joe Carstairs was a rich lesbian, and a rebel, but she was not in any sense a "fun" person. She was apparently some kind of borderline schizophrenic. All she could do to act "manly" was to throw screaming tantrums, smoke, spit and swear. Not an attractive personality. The whole thing with carrying the little doll around for 60 years comes across as sick, not funny or charming.

Read the book for the sumptuous settings and try to imagine someone glamorous, like Gloria Holden (from the lesbian classic DRACULA'S DAUGHTER)having the same adventures, but in a fun way.

Buy this now, it's delightful.
I saw this slim volume in the store and was fascinated by the picture on the cover - a woman dressed as a man with a little battered doll on her shoulder - "what in the world is this?"So, I started to read.What a surprise.This is the story of Marion "Joe" Carstairs, a Standard Oil heiress, a champion speed boat driver, friend to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, an unrepentant lesbian, owner of the Caribbean isalnd Whale Cay, and the constant companion of Lord Todd Wadley (yes, a funny little doll).This is one of the most immediately engaging books I've ever read.What a character she was, and what a life she led. "The Queen of Whale Cay" is an absolute charmer from start to finish.Looking for a little slice of forgotten history to while a way some time?This is the book for you. ... Read more

Product Description

Pandora, Seabold, Whistler, Lila, and Tiny have all been enjoying the love and comfort that being a family brings. It is a comfort they are unexpectedly reminded of when Whistler and Lila hear the cries of a lonely baby beluga whale named Sebastian. When they learn that he has lost his mama, the Lighthouse Family, with the help of a cranky but noble old cormorant named Huck, does all it can to bring Sebastian and his mother together again. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Read the Whole Series!
This book is a part of a wonderful series by Cynthia Rylant!I was struggling to find good read aloud chapter books to read to my girls (3 and 5) after picture books but before long books like Charlotte's Web.These are perfect for that in between time!The vocabulary is wonderful and the pictures are engaging.We read one short chapter each day.My girls woke up each morning asking to read from the books.

Amazing New Book for Young Readers
Pandora the cat; Seabold the dog; and Whistler, Lila, and Tiny, the orphaned mice, make-up the wonderful, Lighthouse Family. Together they live amongst each other in an old Lighthouse on the water, where they help to direct ships. However, one day Whistler and Lila hear the cries of a whale, a baby beluga whale named Sebastian, to be exact. Soon they have found that poor Sebastian has lost his Mother, and doesn't know where to find her. It's now up to Whistler and Lila, with the help of the rest of the Lighthouse Family, and a cranky old cormorant named Huck, to find Sebastian's Mother, and bring mama and baby together once again.

In this wonderful, adorable new series by Cynthia Rylant, we are introduced to various wonderful new animal characters, who are sure to rival those found in classics such as THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS. Each character is unique, and possesses his or her own quirks, yet they all share one thing in common, their love for each other, and caring nature. Filled with wonderful sketches by Preston McDaniels amongst almost every page, as well as a delightful plot that will please all young readers, THE WHALE is sure to be a hit.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

I like this book.
This book is so cool!I love it.I like that there's a baby beluga in the book, and the cat and the dog and the mice.Because they keep the baby beluga company and they help him get home. ... Read more

Product Description
Whale loves diving in and out of the ocean waves until ...SLAP! He lands on an ice floe and can't get off again. Poor Whale is stuck! His friends try to push him back into the water but Whale is much too heavy. It looks like Whale might be stuck forever. But then something surprising happens ... ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (19)

I Like Dreaming With You Grandpa
I liked the beginning of this book.Michael is an elementary aged boy living with his successful but neglectful parents on Long Island.Michael doesn't fit in with kids his own age and his friends are all adults he meets through their businesses including an antique book expert, a rough gem seller and a junk dealer.Michael soon moves with his parents to his father's native Jerusalem.The relocation is made because his parents want to be close to his elderly wealthy grandfather as they are afraid is going to leave his large estate to his mistress rather than to them.

Michael (known as Mikh'el after moving to Israel) quickly forms a bond with his grandfather a well known antique dealer and his French lady friend "Soapy".Soon it becomes apparent that his grandfather has some mystical gifts he wants to pass on to his grandson and with this move in to the supernatural the book loses its charm and my interest. Oh and good Grandfather is a vegetarian while Michael's wicked father has a meat business and the anti meat message is delivered in a far from subtle manner.

This is a children's book supposedly for ages ten and up but I can't really think of any child who would be particularly engaged by it and some of the concepts (death, greed, reincarnation, "kept" women) are really very adult.It was originally written in Hebrew so maybe it somehow lost something in translation as the second part of the book simply is not good. THE SONG OF THE WHALES is a quick read and perhaps will be beloved by ardent vegetarians and whale fanatics but others should look elsewhere for a good children's book.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too
When Michael's family moves to Israel to be closer to family, Michael quickly strikes up a friendship with his grandfather.As time goes by, the elderly man shows the boy how he can control his dreams and be with his grandfather in the dream world.

Dangers in the form of his grandfather's failing health and an overbearing housekeeper threaten to end the two's friendship. Will Michael be able to continue enjoying his grandfather's dreams with him, or will their special time soon end?

A fun, lighthearted story despite the underlying saddening problems with the grandfather's health.The plot is interesting, and the characters are memorable and likeable.Readers who like fantasy, dreams, and spending time with their own grandparents will enjoy reading THE SONG OF THE WHALES.

Reviewed by:Kira M

Perchance to Dream
In this tale, Orlev's magical voice leads a reader willingly into the realm of the improbable.

When Michael is nine his parents move from Long Island to Jerusalem. Grandpa is old, and Michael's parents worry that the housekeeper will inherit his huge house and fortune.

Michael prefers books, models and odd collections to kids his age. His friends have been a junkman and a stone polisher. In Israel, he becomes "Mikha'el", and Grandpa becomes his new friend. Grandpa, too, likes junk, books and odd collections. He can repair furniture. He also sharpens knives in a poor and religious neighborhood, and soon Mikha'el becomes his apprentice.

When Grandpa falls ill and comes to live with Mikha'el's parents, Mikha'el learns his secret: Grandpa can create special dreams and invite others into them. Soon, in dreams, Mikha'el swims alongside singing whales with his grandfather; watches Grandpa crowned emperor for inventing an anti-time machine; or bicycles with him across the sky.

Each dream brings insights for Mikha'el, and some are followed by synchronicity in real life. Then Grandpa gives him a key that Mikha'el still holds when he awakes. The key brings a new discovery and shows how much Mikha'el's life has changed.

Reviewed by Elizabeth Varadan

Very strong children's book about life, families, and death
The Song of the Whales is a well written and enjoyable book about a young boy whose family moves to Israel to spend time with his grandfather late in his life. It is an appropriate book to share with young readers. It could be helpful for a young reader with older grandparents to help them gain some perspective on family life (across generations).

Although difficult to tackle, this book is a easy to read story that isn't overtly strong in it's theme. Although sometimes sad, it also is not overwhelming. There is one theme, of the "kept woman" which I do not think was an essential part of the story, which some parents of young readers would object to. For me, I would not expose my children to it because of this issue.

3.5 stars actually - A sweet and mostly realistic tale, with touches of the magical. The storyaddresses connections to loved o
Mini Synopsis:This is a translated work which is a sweet and fantastic tale about a young boy whose family moves to Israel from New York to care for his aging and dying grandfather. Michael, his American name, is a loner of a child and prefers adult company to that of children. He is comfortable with this move since he does speak fluent Hebrew.

Upon arrival to Israel, he meets his grandfather and they become very close. Over their time together his grandfather shares his knowledge of his special gift, that Michael also possess. Only Michael doesn't realize how special he really is.

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this tale with its many interesting themes, such as addressing dreams, death, respect for the old, thinking about rebirth, reincarnation, sharing past lives, vegetarianism, morality and recognizing special gifts.

Several problems I had with the book is that it did not feel completely translated in a few small areas; there were bits which could be confusing for an American reader. I imagine that this was remedied since the copy that I read was an ARC - advanced read copy.Another is that one of the characters, Michael's grandfather's housekeeper/girlfriend, was portrayed as a difficult person. My problem was that although she cared for his grandfather, his grandfather's home, did all the cooking, and after a move did these things for Michael's family as well, she was treated with disrespect by the entire family. Not a great role model for a child.

All in all, I adore translations and when looking beyond the annoyances mentioned above, I give this book 3.5 stars. I liked it a lot. ... Read more