Manatee (On Location)

"The plight of the gentle giant manatee is clearly presented in a photo-essay...In a straightforward narrative the author speaks directly to the reader as she describes the mammals and her two-year experience `on location' with the manatees who live in the Crystal River of Florida....A good, solid piece of interesting and informative nonfiction that will be welcomed for its quality as well as for its subjet."--Horn Book.

Grade 4-5-- Much has been written about the manatee lately, including Jean H. Sibbald's The Manatee (Dillon) and Margaret Goff Clark's The Vanishing Manatee (Cobblehill, both 1990). This book differs significantly because of its superior illustrations. Presented in a picture book format with full-color photographs, the Darlings covers the life cycle, physical characteristics, and behavior of the Florida manatee. The photographs are beautiful and provide a close-up view of this slow-moving, vegetarian mammal. Simple diagrams illustrate the animal's anatomy. Although some terms are introduced with little explanation and/or definition, other aspects of behavior are explained clearly and in detail. Included are an easy-to-use section entitled "Manatee Facts" for quick reference, a guide to where these animals can be seen, and the address of the "Save the Manatee" club. --Frances E. Millhouser, Reston Regional Library, VA
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.