Orcas of the Salish Sea

Gr 1--3--The closely studied orca pods of the Salish Sea star in this nonfiction book for younger readers. Interesting facts about individual animals that scientists have studied provide an engaging angle. General information about orca traits and behaviors rounds out the text and includes details about groups from around the world. Vivid photographs of whales in action provide strong visual support; most are full-page or larger. Some depict individually identified orcas, such as Onyx, Scarlet, and Moby Doll. Others show actions described in the text, such as breaching or hunting. When the human threat to orcas is introduced, the accompanying two-page photo of a lone whale swimming against a blazing orange sea and sky is particularly effective. The lively and sometimes conversational tone of the writing works well, although the shifts from stories about individual whales to broader data and back again slightly disrupt the narrative flow. The range of the Salish Sea orcas is noted in the text, but no map is included. An author's note at the end emphasizes the threats to orca survival and suggests some ways readers can help. VERDICT A generally engaging and informative work of narrative nonfiction on a popular topic.--Steven Engelfried, Wilsonville Public Library, OR

Orca whales living in the Pacific Northwest region are introduced through brief text and full-color photographs taken throughout the area. Several individual orcas and the three named pods in the region are discussed along with information about orca movements, social behavior, and communication. While interesting facts are presented with a peppy writing style, many basic facts about orca whales are not included. Orcas are not identified as mammals with the common characteristics of all mammals, for instance, and other pertinent aspects are not included such as orca breathing and definition of body parts like fin, fluke, and blowhole. The cultural significance of orcas to First Nations and Native American cultures is also not addressed. Critical orientation is provided by a map reproduced on both the front and back endpapers, which shows the home waters and range of the southern resident orcas. The area of the Salish Sea is included as part of the map, but this term--so important to the focus of the entire book--is not also explained within the text. The photographs are the volume's best feature, showing orcas in movement in many different settings. These high-quality photos make this a logical choice as a supplemental resource for study of orca whales. An inadequate text is elevated by intriguing photos of these fascinating creatures. (author's note) (Informational picture book. 6-10) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.