  | Life after whale : the amazing ecosystem of a whale fall Author: Brunelle, Lynn | |
| Price: $23.28 | ||
Summary:
A book about the rich ecosystem that springs up around the death of a whale in the deep sea.
| Illustrator: | Chin, Jason |
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: LG Reading Level: 6.40 Points: 1.0 Quiz: 552974 |
Awards:
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award, 2025
Reviews:
School Library Journal (+) (00/07/24)
Booklist (+) (04/01/24)
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (+) (00/06/24)
The Hornbook (+) (00/05/24)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 04/01/2024 *Starred Review* This astounding picture book designed for middle-grade readers does an especially effective job of describing what happens when a 90-year-old blue whale, the largest creature on earth, dies and becomes a source of nourishment for other organisms for another 150 years. The book begins with the whale's final days, with vivid descriptions of how blue whales feed (in one gulp, she swallows enough krill to fill a school bus) and explanations of how wax buildups in her ears document the story of her life (annual migrations, pregnancies, food availability, climate change). As her heart stops and she begins drifting towards the depths, accessible text describes how her body begins to break down, providing nourishment for hundreds of different animals, from sea birds and sharks that attack her body near the surface to the generations of deep-sea critters that will feast on her remains for years, creating new food chains and a new ecosystem. The content seamlessly integrates technical vocabulary, marine biology, and chemistry; Chin's meticulous watercolor illustrations carefully align and support the text, and rich back matter will appeal to researchers. More sophisticated than 2023's Whale Fall by Melissa Stewart, both offerings respectfully convey the majesty and awe of these events. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.
