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Absolute Expert
Absolute Expert: Dolphins: All the Latest Facts from the Field
Kids who have a laser focus on dolphins will learn everything they've ever wanted to know about them in an eye-catching, page-turning book for aspiring experts, featuring exclusive content from a National Geographic explorer currently in the field.
Hey, dolphin fin-atics! Get ready to dive into the world of your favorite fabulous marine mammals in this action-packed book chock-full of awesome facts, photos, and fun! Join National Geographic explorer and dolphin expert Justine Jackson-Ricketts to get the latest, most up-to-date dolphin intel straight from the field, plus fun facts, in-depth info, and awesome trivia about every kind of dolphin under the sun (and beneath the waves). It's the ultimate book to help YOU become an absolute expert on one of your favorite topics.
Hey, dolphin fin-atics! Get ready to dive into the world of your favorite fabulous marine mammals in this action-packed book chock-full of awesome facts, photos, and fun! Join National Geographic explorer and dolphin expert Justine Jackson-Ricketts to get the latest, most up-to-date dolphin intel straight from the field, plus fun facts, in-depth info, and awesome trivia about every kind of dolphin under the sun (and beneath the waves). It's the ultimate book to help YOU become an absolute expert on one of your favorite topics.
- GenresAnimalsNonfiction
112 pages, Hardcover
Published May 29, 2018
1 person is currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Swanson
73 books38 followersScience Rocks! And so do Jennifer Swanson’s books. She is the award-winning author of over 45 nonfiction books for children. Using her background in science and history that she received from the U.S. Naval Academy, and her M.S. in Education, Jennifer excels at taking complex facts and making them accessible, compelling, and humorous for young readers, Jennifer's passion for science resonates in in all her books but especially, Astronaut-Aquanaut: How Space Science and Sea Science Interact and BEASTLY BIONICS which both received Florida Book Awards and NSTA BEST STEM book awards. Her Save the Crash-test Dummies book received an NSTA BEST STEM Award and a Parent’s Choice GOLD Award. Jennifer has been a featured speaker at the Tucson Book Festival, National NSTA conferences, the Highlights Foundation, the World Science Festival (twice), the Atlanta Science Festival (twice) and the Library of Congress’ National Book Festival in 2019. You can find Jennifer through her website www.JenniferSwansonBooks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 6, 2018
We think of dolphins as those "smiling" and friendly sea creatures that are in aquariums and sea world shows and that we might even get to pet. We think of them as friendly swimmers who swim alongside humans when they venture into dolphin seas. But we don't readily think of them as creatures whose family tree includes whales such as the Killer Whales and who populate waters around the globe.
This is a fascinating book that covers so much about dolphins and opens the mind to further explore from other sources.
I received a complimentary copy to facilitate this review. Opinions are mine alone and are freely given.
This is a fascinating book that covers so much about dolphins and opens the mind to further explore from other sources.
I received a complimentary copy to facilitate this review. Opinions are mine alone and are freely given.
April 1, 2019
Fascinating. Extremely well written with superb layout and design. Book talk this and leave in your classroom library to be snatched up quickly by 3rd-8th grade students! Seriously, I learned so much about dolphins - all sorts of dolphins who live all over the world.
Did you know that a dolphin's eyes secrete a special oil that keeps the water out of their eyes (p. 44)? That dolphins protect their young and elderly and sick or injured members of their pod (p. 66)? That some young male dolphins become best friends for life (p. 63)? That dolphins have helped the U.S. military detect and deter enemy swimmers from approaching navy ships (p. 92-93)? There are so many fascinating facts but not just a lot of miscellaneous facts. Swanson goes into depth on each sub-topic in each of four chapters. There are plenty of sidebars and photographs with labels to support students as they deepen their understanding of the dolphin's physical features, behaviors and so forth.
Themes in the book include - how scientists are learning about dolphins (with an intro to each chapter by National Geographic Explorer Justine Jackson-Ricketts), why it's important to know about dolphins (they are a top predator and their behaviors can signal a healthy environment or not), the need for humans and dolphins to find a way to co-exist (including human impact on dolphins), the complex physical features of this very intelligent creature... Each of these themes are worthy of student-led discussions and written responses and can contribute to student-led research.
While it's written for middle grade students, younger fluent readers who love this topic will be able to grasp the ideas in this book. Swanson's superb writing is so clear and student-friendly, even when she's explaining more complex concepts like the dolphin's use of echolocation or scientists' theories for how dolphins communicate. The layout and design--colorful, just enough text on each page, some full page graphics, etc--also make this text accessible to a lot of readers.
Here are a few suggestions for book talking before leaving on display in your classroom library -
*Read aloud a few excerpts (like the one on p. 44 about the eyes or the one on p. 92-93 about dolphins in the military).
*Pose questions and leave the students hanging like, "Can a dolphin use a conch shell to catch fish?" or "Can dolphins do math? How do we know or not know this?" or "Can a dolphin be pink in color?" and "I guess you'll have to read to find out."
*Ask a student to read this book and plan a book talk for other students.
Swanson is a "go to" author for me. She tackles complex topics and writes in a way that is appealing to students. THANK YOU, JENNIFER!!!!
Did you know that a dolphin's eyes secrete a special oil that keeps the water out of their eyes (p. 44)? That dolphins protect their young and elderly and sick or injured members of their pod (p. 66)? That some young male dolphins become best friends for life (p. 63)? That dolphins have helped the U.S. military detect and deter enemy swimmers from approaching navy ships (p. 92-93)? There are so many fascinating facts but not just a lot of miscellaneous facts. Swanson goes into depth on each sub-topic in each of four chapters. There are plenty of sidebars and photographs with labels to support students as they deepen their understanding of the dolphin's physical features, behaviors and so forth.
Themes in the book include - how scientists are learning about dolphins (with an intro to each chapter by National Geographic Explorer Justine Jackson-Ricketts), why it's important to know about dolphins (they are a top predator and their behaviors can signal a healthy environment or not), the need for humans and dolphins to find a way to co-exist (including human impact on dolphins), the complex physical features of this very intelligent creature... Each of these themes are worthy of student-led discussions and written responses and can contribute to student-led research.
While it's written for middle grade students, younger fluent readers who love this topic will be able to grasp the ideas in this book. Swanson's superb writing is so clear and student-friendly, even when she's explaining more complex concepts like the dolphin's use of echolocation or scientists' theories for how dolphins communicate. The layout and design--colorful, just enough text on each page, some full page graphics, etc--also make this text accessible to a lot of readers.
Here are a few suggestions for book talking before leaving on display in your classroom library -
*Read aloud a few excerpts (like the one on p. 44 about the eyes or the one on p. 92-93 about dolphins in the military).
*Pose questions and leave the students hanging like, "Can a dolphin use a conch shell to catch fish?" or "Can dolphins do math? How do we know or not know this?" or "Can a dolphin be pink in color?" and "I guess you'll have to read to find out."
*Ask a student to read this book and plan a book talk for other students.
Swanson is a "go to" author for me. She tackles complex topics and writes in a way that is appealing to students. THANK YOU, JENNIFER!!!!
September 9, 2018
Dolphins are fun loving animals and they are very smart. Another cool thing about dolphins is they love interacting with us humans. When dolphins hang out together its called a pod. They hunt together, eat together, protect and take care of the young ones. They have their own little society. What we’ve learned from dolphins is that they are compassionate, patient, responsible, they work together, respect their elders and protect each other from predators.
Readers of all ages can learn so much about dolphins from this handy guide. If you want to become a dolphin trainer there is information here just for you. Readers can learn how scientists find, track and study dolphins. Readers will learn about the different types of dolphins there are and all about their bodies, what they eat and even how they navigate through the water.
Marine biologist Justine Jackson-Ricketts has a lot to share about her experiences with dolphins and why she wanted to study them. There are plenty of pictures here that show people working with dolphins and so much more. The back pages share how readers can help dolphins and other marine life. There are resources for more research for readers who want to learn more. Parents and teachers will love this guide for their classroom or home libraries.
Readers of all ages can learn so much about dolphins from this handy guide. If you want to become a dolphin trainer there is information here just for you. Readers can learn how scientists find, track and study dolphins. Readers will learn about the different types of dolphins there are and all about their bodies, what they eat and even how they navigate through the water.
Marine biologist Justine Jackson-Ricketts has a lot to share about her experiences with dolphins and why she wanted to study them. There are plenty of pictures here that show people working with dolphins and so much more. The back pages share how readers can help dolphins and other marine life. There are resources for more research for readers who want to learn more. Parents and teachers will love this guide for their classroom or home libraries.
December 14, 2018
I am fascinated with dolphins and one of my favorite memories is our dolphin cruise on the Gulf Coast of Pensacola Beach, Florida. I loved watching the dolphins swim and play alongside our boat. We even saw some jumping around from our condo as we were preparing to leave on our last day. I was convinced they came to tell us goodbye!
There are various species of dolphins and first, the book introduces all the types of dolphins to the reader. Then the book moves into learning all about the dolphins, their skin, eyes, nose, brain, what they eat, and their social and family obligations. Finally, the book shares the human impact on dolphins including pollution, tracking dolphins, and training them to help the military with experiments. It was interesting to learn that dolphins are the first sign that there is a problem with the ecosystem. Most people probably don’t realize that Orca whales are actually dolphins. But, it totally makes sense now that I have read about them. Orcas eat other dolphins and small whales so that even makes it odder that they are part of the same family.
Amazing ocean photography, fact bubbles, and cool rescue stories will keep kids interested in learning all there is to know about dolphins.
There are various species of dolphins and first, the book introduces all the types of dolphins to the reader. Then the book moves into learning all about the dolphins, their skin, eyes, nose, brain, what they eat, and their social and family obligations. Finally, the book shares the human impact on dolphins including pollution, tracking dolphins, and training them to help the military with experiments. It was interesting to learn that dolphins are the first sign that there is a problem with the ecosystem. Most people probably don’t realize that Orca whales are actually dolphins. But, it totally makes sense now that I have read about them. Orcas eat other dolphins and small whales so that even makes it odder that they are part of the same family.
Amazing ocean photography, fact bubbles, and cool rescue stories will keep kids interested in learning all there is to know about dolphins.
August 19, 2018
All the books in this series are ABSOLUTELY amazing! You will want to become an "absolute expert" in all the topics this series has written. In true National Geographic Kids fashion these books are filled to the brim with facts, tidbits, pictures, illustrations as well as tips, tricks and little known facts from experts in the field. Kids, and parents alike, are going to get lost in these books and want to learn all there is to know on each of these fascinating topics. I loved learning along with my boys and getting to become an "expert" on these cool and interesting things. I find that now I know more and want to continue to learn about each of these topics. These books are perfect for your home library or your child's classroom.
October 7, 2018
Dolphins are one of those topics that kids always love and the good thing is that there is so much to learn.
For the full review: https://twobookwormsblog.wordpress.co...
For the full review: https://twobookwormsblog.wordpress.co...
August 8, 2018
National Geographic Kids' Absolute Expert Series is a super fun and educational series that aims to educate, engage, and entertain! Each book in this series is full of captivating information from real life experts, awesome photos and illustrations, and plenty of imagination fuel for young readers
April 16, 2020
National Geographic Absolute Expert: Dolphins is an informative text about dolphins suitable for 3rd-4th grade. It provides lots of information regarding dolphins and has many colorful, visual images that attracts the readers eye. The short, but informative book emphasizes interesting facts about dolphins and keeps the reader engaged through all the pages.
This book can be used during as an informative text resource for a unit. My field placement had a unit on frogs and did many activities with that during their ELA block. I think this dolphin’s text would be a good fit in an ELA unit where students can practice reading and writing strategies but also learn about dolphins during the meantime. Another activity that could be done is a read aloud during every science block. Each time we read the book the students could write down one new fact in their science journal that they learned. This will encourage them to listen and stay interested.
This book is a WOW book for me because I was so engaged in reading this book. I kept wanting to know more and more about dolphins and everything that surrounds them. I also like how it tells the story of a woman who studied dolphins and her discoveries of them. It also talks about the dangers these mammals face, such as, overfishing and pollution. It is a book I plan to have in my classroom and potentially use for an informative text project.
This book can be used during as an informative text resource for a unit. My field placement had a unit on frogs and did many activities with that during their ELA block. I think this dolphin’s text would be a good fit in an ELA unit where students can practice reading and writing strategies but also learn about dolphins during the meantime. Another activity that could be done is a read aloud during every science block. Each time we read the book the students could write down one new fact in their science journal that they learned. This will encourage them to listen and stay interested.
This book is a WOW book for me because I was so engaged in reading this book. I kept wanting to know more and more about dolphins and everything that surrounds them. I also like how it tells the story of a woman who studied dolphins and her discoveries of them. It also talks about the dangers these mammals face, such as, overfishing and pollution. It is a book I plan to have in my classroom and potentially use for an informative text project.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews