"Dolphin Baby!" by Nicola Davies & Illustrated by Brita Granstrom: Book Review & Giveaway

This is the second book I've reviewed written by Nicola Davies.  See "Just Ducks." As with "Just Ducks" Ms. Davies has included snippets of factual information tucked onto the pages of Brita Granstrom's beautiful and artful illustrations.  Such as.....

Dolphins are mammals like you and  me, so although they live all their lives in the sea, they must come to the surface to breathe air.

Children ages 3 to 8 will enjoy this beautifully told and illustrated story of the birth and development of a dolphin baby.  The illustrations gently, beautifully, and with bold strokes illustrate the sea world of the dolphin and will draw the child into an appreciation for art.  Isn't it grand when we learn to appreciate something fine without even being told we're being taught?

Baby dolphin is born tail first and immediately swims to the surface to breath.  Then the baby dolphin hangs tight with his mother nursing, being fed fish by mother, and learning the special whistles with which dolphins communicate.  He learns his own name which is a special whistle that is all his very own.  The story of baby dolphin's development is told with brief sentences on each double page spread which artfully illustrates that particular developmental stage.  The front and end pages, double spreads, are beautiful depictions of the coastal area where dolphins live.  The book concludes with an afterword about species with a reminder that one must take care of our oceans to ensure dolphin survival.

I recommend this delightful book for the home library, public and school libraries or for gifting to that special child on your list.  Dolphin Baby! is a Junior Library guild Selection.

GIVEAWAY:  Candlewick Press will mail 1 of Chat With Vera's readers their very own copy of  DOLPHIN BABY!. Open USA only.  Easy entries:  Begins JULY 27 and ENDS August 12 at 12:00 Noon EDT.

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DISCLOSURE:  I was provided a complimentary copy of Dolphin Baby! in order to render a review with my honest opinion.  I was not required to give a positive review. 

• ISBN-13: 9780763655488
• Publisher: Candlewick Press
• Publication: 4/10/2012