Tiger Sharks in Action

November 1, 2017

Gr 3-5-This series provides readers with solid introductions to some fascinating shark species. Key areas are covered with clear language and decent visual support, including physical features, life cycles, and feeding behaviors. A bit of extra emphasis is given to distinctive elements, such as the whale shark's unusual mouth. Photographs vary from half-page to full-page; these are useful but less dynamic than shark fans might hope for. Views of a tiger shark's scales and the mako's eyes support the text well, but the absence of close-up images of a great white's teeth or a hammerhead in the act of hunting is disappointing. Insets provide additional facts, though these are used inconsistently. Some act as labels for the photographs, while others point to a photo but have no direct connection to the indicated image (in Mako Sharks, the text "Mako means 'shark' in the Maori language" is paired with a photo of a shark's back). VERDICT Useful if not especially exciting options on high-demand topics.

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