Dolphin Talk: Whistles, Clicks, and Clapping Jaws

Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science, Stage 2

by Wendy Pfeffer

Provides early readers with a factual guide to the way in which dolphins communicate ideas, instructions, and feelings with one another through a language of their very own. Simultaneous.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Animals, Picture Books, Nature, Childrens

40 pages, Library Binding

First published September 1, 2003

About the author

Wendy Pfeffer is an award winning author of many children’s books. A former teacher and nursery school director, Mrs. Pfeffer lives in Pennington, New Jersey. In addition to writing, she continues to teach writing and visit schools to share her work.

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great non-fiction book about communication among dolphins. We learn about anatomy and what sounds mean to dolphins and how echolocation works. It is a well done book. There are good tips and it’s in somewhat story form.

The artwork is sufficient and the niece really enjoyed seeing the anatomy charts. Both kids enjoyed a book about dolphins. It wasn't exciting for them, but they wanted to see them in person. I told them you can touch them in Seaworld and now they want to go to Seaworld. The niece gave this 3 stars and the nephew gave this 4 stars. I'm happy this worked.

[Eva Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this one because I had to find out more about these guys, and this one is about how they talk even though they're underwater. And you know what? Dolphins sure are smarter than most fish. I guess that's why they eat them.
I'd sure like to know what they're talking about. I bet they talk about us and how we drive around and stand on the beach looking at them, and how we live in houses and make noises like singing and yelling at each other, and how we hug and tell our babies don't do something and get in trouble.
I think I'd have a lot to talk about with a dolphin.
This one would have been too hard last summer, but since I started homeschool it's EASY. Not REAL easy, but easy ENOUGH.
So THAT makes it a good one, too!

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an educational little book. It was so much fun to read.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so interesting! Both my niece and I learned something from reading this book, and we enjoyed the learning!

[Melissa Namba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Straight forward, but makes concepts simple. Explains how dolphins communicate. There are activities like making up your own dolphin name. Great for "research" at about a second to third grade level.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dolphins are very intelligent animals and communicate through the many different sounds and movements they make. This book informs the reader about that interesting part of dolphins’ lives. Great illustrations.

[Joshua Krieger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pfeffer, W., & Davie, H. (2007). Dolphin talk. New York: HarperCollins Children's.

[Brystal Angel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love how they relate the dolphins to real life people.

[Cindy Pardew]

Illustrator: Helen K. Davie

[Kelly]

Now we want to swim with the dolphins!

[Elanor]

All by herself!

[Julia]

Summary: Humans communicate, but animals also communicate too. This book is all about how dolphins communicate underwater and how very smart they are.

Evaluation: This book is extremely informative. Children are so curious about animals, and this book answers some of their curious questions. It was interesting to learn about how dolphins communicate and how they “talk” to each other much like humans do. It explained the different ways they communicate, not just the whistles like most people think, but by clicks and clapping their jaws.

Teaching Ideas: I would use this book for teaching kindergartners about communication. I would talk about how humans communicate, then I would read this book and we would talk about how dolphins talk. We would talk about humans and dolphins are similar and how they are different.