When Whales Cross the Sea: The Gray Whale Migration

by Sharon Katz Cooper, Tom Leonard (Illustrator)

Overview

Invite readers to swim alongside a gray whale as she heads south on the longest migration journey of any mammal on Earth. When Whales Cross the Sea enchants readers with a story-like narrative while subtly teaching the role of migration in the whale's life cycle. Includes a "fast facts" page, a glossary, and realistic, text-match illustrations.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781479561032
Publisher:	Capstone
Publication date:	08/01/2015
Series:	Extraordinary Migrations
Pages:	24
Product dimensions:	8.80(w) x 10.20(h) x 0.20(d)
Age Range:	5 - 9 Years

About the Author

Sharon Katz Cooper is a science educator and freelance writer who specializes in science and social studies topics. She has written more than 25 books for children, including a series called Horrible Habitats, which was recommended by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA). She is based in Pittsburgh, Penn., where she lives with her husband and three boys, Reuven, Judah, and Yaron.

Tom Leonard has been a freelance illustrator for more than 20 years. A graduate of the Philadelphia College of Art (now called the University of the Arts) with a degree in Illustration, he has worked for numerous publications throughout his career, including Psychology Today, Reader’s Digest, International Wildlife, and Science Digest. Since 1993 he has focused on children’s books, usually with a view toward nature. Tom has had several shows throughout Philadelphia, and his work has appeared in the Graphis Annual and the Society of Illustrators. Tom teaches at the University of the Arts and also teaches summers at Fleisher Art Memorial, where he has exhibited his work on several occasions. Tom lives in South Philadelphia with his wife, Rose.

Interviews

Reinforced Library Binding, vivid, realistic illustrations allow for scenes not possible (or difficult to get) in photos; story-like narrative focuses on one specific animal and engages while subtly teaching; follows the journey in a linear fashion, step-by-step; "Fast Facts" page provides key/interesting info about the featured animal

Editorial Reviews

With beautiful illustrations and simple text, this series about migration for the purpose of reproduction will make a nice classroom discussion-starter. . . .The format will appeal to all collections; however, the series is very readable and will be enjoyed by many children.

School Library Connection

Each year, gray whales undertake one of the longest migrations of any animal on Earth. They travel more than 8000 kilometers from the cold feeding grounds of the Arctic to birth their young in the warm waters off Mexico’s Baja Peninsula—and then head north again, babies in tow. It’s a mind-boggling journey, but this heartwarming book helps young readers ages 5 to 9 to grasp its scope by focusing on one mother-to-be. In brief snapshots accompanied by careful, realistic drawings, the book describes how she fattens up in Arctic waters for the long, harrowing trip; sticks close to the west coast of North America as she makes her way southward; births and nurses her baby; and prepares him to return north with her.

Science Magazine

...written in informal storytelling fashion; facts are here but presented under the guise of a story. . . .Leonard’s vivid color double-page acrylic underwater paintings illustrate.

Booklist Online

Acrylic illustrations by Tom Leonard bring the gray whale to life on each page. The feeding process distinctly portrays the amphipods being filtered by the gray whale’s baleen and consumed. A map of the gray whale’s migration gives the reader a frame of reference for the whale’s incredible journey. Fast facts, a glossary, critical thinking questions, and additional resources are available at the conclusion of the text, providing extensions.

NSTA Recommends