Booklist Review
Even kids want to feel like experts about their interests, and with these titles in the Absolute Expert series, they can. The books open with an introduction by a real expert in the field who provides more insight and commentary throughout. In typical National Geographic style, they combine detailed text with numerous color photos from around the world. Justine Jackson-Ricketts, a marine biologist who studies Irrawaddy dolphins in the Gulf of Thailand, is the featured expert in Dolphins. This volume describes myriad species of dolphins, their physical characteristics, echolocation, family pods, diet, and intelligence. It addresses the debate over captivity and both the positive (e.g., U.S. Navy-trained dolphins who help detect underwater mines) and negative (e.g., human pollution injuring and killing dolphins) interactions between humans and dolphins. Quizzes, charts, maps, checklists, profiles, and other graphics keep the books lively for budding experts on these high-interest topics.--Angela Leeper Copyright 2018 Booklist