Fun with Dolphins Book

Provides information and activities that help readers to experience the life of dolphins.

Judy Crowder - Children's Literature

In three of her four-volume series, Kalman discusses dolphins all over the world, their anatomy, and behavior in pods. Now the author gets up-close and personal in this book about dolphins and play. It is established among scientists who study marine mammals that dolphins do seem to play. The book goes into detail about this play: blowing bubble rings and keeping them from rising to the surface, keep-away or catching games with found objects, and purposeful splashing. Kalman gets personal about these attractive creatures when she interjects herself into the text: "I believe," "I have seen," and so forth, relating her own experiences. One chapter entitled Dolphin Camp, talks about a camp for children and dolphin interaction off the coast of Honduras. The chapter, Learning from Dolphins, gets downright preachy; for instance: "Dolphins swim 75 to 100 miles a day. Do you get enough exercise?" or, "They cooperate with other dolphins to find and catch their food. Do you cooperate with your parents to help prepare your food?" Oh, come now. Most illustrations are photos of children with friendly dolphins. While these pictures are of tamed animals, perhaps in captivity, I wonder if all this sends the wrong message. These creatures were not put on earth for our amusement. Dolphins are wild animals. To her credit, Kalman does present warning signs gaping and charging to know when dolphins have had enough and humans need to get out of the way. Read this book with children for the fascinating information, but encourage the young reader to use critical thinking to make his/her own conclusions. Part of the "Dolphin Worlds" series. 2003, Crabtree Publishing Company,