PROWLING THE SEAS

Scientists connected with the TOPP (Tagging of Pacific Predators) project follow 23 species of ocean animals fitted with radio transmitters or data collectors documenting their travels throughout the Pacific. This attractive science title describes their experiences with loggerhead turtles, bluefin tuna, white sharks and sooty shearwaters. The author introduces specific scientists as well as young people involved in the studies: schoolchildren following turtles in an on-line “race” and a five-year-old who found a shark tag on the beach. Clear maps show the travels of each species, and a summary map puts them all together. Extensively illustrated with color photographs and designed so readers can easily distinguish the sections, this will immediately appeal to young nature lovers, but the limited text raises too many questions. Some come from the research: Why do male and female shearwaters migrate up different sides of the Pacific? Others are more basic: Just what is a predator? A helpful list of text, Internet and DVD resources will allow curious readers to explore the project further. (Informational picture book. 8-12)