The Truth About Dolphins

March 1, 2018
Facts about dolphins, fancifully presented.Eaton's introduction to the dolphin family is enlivened by humorous, digitally colored pen-and-ink cartoon-style drawings. Each spread presents important points in one to four sentences in a thick, readable typeface. These facts include the differences between dolphins and fish, their mammalian characteristics, the tail-first birth of their calves, their ubiquity in the world's oceans, their behavior (hunting methods and usual prey, echolocation, communication, playfulness, cooperation), and threats they face. One spread shows examples of eight of the 40 dolphin species and gives weights for the smallest and largest. Speech bubbles add information and humor, especially from a sea gull commentator. There are some human onlookers, too, a brown-skinned girl and her diverse companions. The selected facts are accurate, appealing, and important; the threats--toxic pollution, boat traffic, industrial fishing, and the changing climate--are presented lightly along with the reassuring statement "you can help by learning about dolphins and then teaching others." The package concludes with two pages of additional information and suggestions for further research. The difference between fact and fancy should be obvious even to elementary-age readers, who will enjoy the occasional silliness.This third in an engaging series of "seriously funny facts about your favorite animals" will both please and inform. (Informational picture book. 4-8)

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May 14, 2018
In this companion to The Truth About Bears and The Truth About Hippos, Eaton offers a tongue-in-cheek investigation of dolphins. Factual statements introduce dolphin behavior and biology: “The whistle is like the dolphin’s personal song or name. It helps dolphins recognize their friends.” Talking cartoon dolphins demonstrate their talents of communication: “That sounds like Gary,” one Pacific white-sided dolphin says to another, who responds, “He still owes me three squid.” In another spread, a spinner dolphin from the tropics is pictured reclining on an inflatable chair, enjoying a drink served from a coconut. Elsewhere, readers may be surprised to learn that Arctic water-dwelling orcas are actually a type of dolphin. Eaton’s inviting mix of takeaway facts and light humor hits a sweet spot for readers. Ages 4–8.

April 15, 2018
Preschool-G There are more than 40 species of dolphins. You can find them in the Arctic, warm tropical waters, or Antarctica. They love to play, leap, spin, surf, and tell jokes. Terrible jokes. These are a few of the quotable tidbits readers can glean from this irreverent introduction to dolphins, presented by (per his author blurb) the highly tolerated Maxwell Eaton III, who has tackled hippos and bears in previous outings. Eaton and his fellow narrators (a serious fish, an occasional squid, and a somewhat disillusioned seagull) may play the narrative and thought-bubble asides for laughs, but the black-outline cartoon illustrations and accessible text convey a lot of solid information, including a surprisingly understandable explanation of dolphin echolocation. Devious comprehension strategies, such as side-by-side fish-to-dolphin comparisons, reinforcement through visual alignment, and new vocabulary repeated in various contexts, sneak in to ensure that learning takes place amid the merriment. This should prove popular with animal enthusiasts and enhance STEM collections?and it will probably require multiple readings.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)