Whales To The Rescue

Provides details and facts about whales, and explains the strategies conservationists are using to prevent them from becoming extinct.

On a cool December morning near San Francisco, a distress call was radioed to shore by a local fisherman. He had discovered a humpback whale tangled in hundreds of yards of crab-trap lines, struggling to stay afloat. A team of volunteers answered the call, and four divers risked their lives to rescue the enormous animal. It was the first successful whale disentanglement performed off the West Coast of the United States and prompted a rare and remarkable demonstration of animal behavior. This celebrated story, beautifully depicted in Jennifer O'Connells mesmerizing paintings, will make you wonder about animal emotions and the unique connections we can have with other animals, seven whales. To research The Eye of the Whale, Jennifer traveled to San Francisco where she met Captain Mick Menigoz and rode his rescue boat, Superfish, out into the Pacific Ocean to the area where the events in the book took place. This experience fueled her inspiration as she created the images and words of this extraordinary story.

It’s not just humans combating global warming. Meet one of Earth’s “ecosystem engineers”! In this fascinating and unique book, a marine biologist reveals how whales are “ecosystem engineers” — animals that create, modify or maintain a habitat or ecosystem. Whales do this by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. They store loads of carbon in their bodies for decades, even centuries; when they die, they sink to the ocean floor, taking their carbon with them. More carbon in the ocean means less carbon in the atmosphere. And it’s all thanks to whales! Now kids get one more reason to love these amazing creatures! Whales are helping the planet!

When a group of whales live together, it's called a pod. Learn about life inside a pod of whales and why these animals like to stick together. Find out how living together with others helps whales hunt for food, communicate with one another, and raise their young.

Whales are known for working together, often when hunting for food. Orcas use teamwork to herd fast-swimming fish into groups so they�re easier to catch. Sperm whales use a similar technique. Humpback whales work in teams of up to 20 whales using a method called bubble-net feeding to catch their prey. Beautiful, full-color photographs on every page make this an exciting introduction to the ways whales interact with each other to survive. This exciting elementary life-science topic will inspire even reluctant young readers.

It’s not just humans combating global warming. Meet one of Earth’s “ecosystem engineers”! In this fascinating and unique book, a marine biologist reveals how whales are “ecosystem engineers” — animals that create, modify or maintain a habitat or ecosystem. Whales do this by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. They store loads of carbon in their bodies for decades, even centuries; when they die, they sink to the ocean floor, taking their carbon with them. More carbon in the ocean means less carbon in the atmosphere. And it’s all thanks to whales! Now kids get one more reason to love these amazing creatures! Whales are helping the planet!

"Information for children learning how to read about whales, with photographs"--

A mother and baby humpback whale stray from the ocean into San Francisco Bay, up the Sacramento River, and with help from friendly humans find their way home again.

Describes how a migrating humpback whale mistakenly entered the San Francisco Bay in 1985 and swam sixty-four miles inland before being led back to the sea by people concerned for his welfare.

Developed by New Zealand reading specialist and author, Pam Holden, this exciting reading program offers an extensive range of illustrated fiction and photographic non-fiction titles at graded levels. Red Rocket Readers offer a carefully controlled sequence of challenges throughout the levels to ensure students progress with confidence and enthusiasm.