The Sea Wolves: Living Wild in the Great Bear Rainforest

by Nicholas Read, Nicholas Read

The Sea Wolves sets out to disprove the notion of "the Big Bad Wolf," especially as it is applied to coastal wolves―a unique strain of wolf that lives in the rainforest along the Pacific coast of Canada. Genetically distinct from their inland cousins and from wolves in any other part of the world, coastal wolves can swim like otters and fish like the bears with whom they share the rainforest. Smaller than the gray wolves that live on the other side of the Coast Mountains, these wolves are highly social and fiercely intelligent creatures. Living in the isolated wilderness of the Great Bear Rainforest, coastal wolves have also enjoyed a unique relationship with man. The First Nations people, who have shared their territory for thousands of years, do not see them as a nuisance species but instead have long offered the wolf a place of respect and admiration within their culture. Illustrated with almost one hundred of Ian McAllister's magnificent photographs, The Sea Wolves presents a strong case for the importance of preserving the Great Bear Rainforest for the wolves, the bears and the other unique creatures that live there.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Wolves, Photography, Middle Grade, Canada

128 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2010

Reviews

[bbqoranges · Rating 3 out of 5]

A couple months ago I learned about the sea wolves that live off the coast of British Columbia. There isn’t a surplus amount articles or sources depicting these wolves, but in the search I was able to find Ian McAllisters photos. I really wish I could of given this book a better review. I enjoyed McAllisters photography of the sea wolves but I felt that this book was very repetitive. Maybe I’m just not the targeted audience age wise?

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who knew that there were wolves considered marine mammals? And also, who knew that British Columbia was so crazily photogenically beautiful?

[A.R. McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you love nature? Does learning about wildlife appeal to you? Are you a fan of wolves? Then The Sea Wolves: Living Wild in the Great Bear Rainforest is an ideal pick for you. I'm a huge fan of all three so picking up this book from the library was a must for me. It's definitely one of my favorites now. I love how easy it is to read; a ten year old can learn as much from this book as a forty year old. And who can forget the stunning, mesmerizing photographs? I was held in awe learning about not only the amazing sea wolves but about the Great Bear Rainforest and the other animals and plant life that inhabit it. However, the ending was bittersweet to me. I love the author's message that we must protect our wildlife at all costs. But it saddens me to think that there are so many people that don't want to preserve it. They would prefer to eradicate all wolves because they falsely perceive them to be monsters. But we share so many similarities with them. Maybe that's why I love this book so much. Even though we have our differences, we still have so many similarities, more than we think. A must for wolf and nature lovers.

[Susanne E · Rating 5 out of 5]

The photos in this book are SO BEAUTIFUL. The wolves are gorgeous and the scenery (BC Central Coast) reminded me of home. The text was very accessible and personable, with a strong environmentalist bent and a heavy dose of "wolves aren't monsters; they're even kind of like people!" I have to write a more detailed review later for my YA Lit class, but the main gist is that I was really impressed by this book, though I'm not sure how much it would impress students or even teachers outside the greater Pacific Northwest, because the animals and cultural references and landscape are so specific.

[Claytonthegreat · Rating 3 out of 5]

THE SEA WOLVES was an interesting read filled with many facts i did not know ( i did not evn know about these wolves). Though it has many facts i did not know, it also had facts that i did not care to know. Also it reapeted one sentence way to many times:"if you think its hard to imagine a wolf...." All in all it was a decent book.

[Monika · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned many things about wolves from this book. Great illustrations, though the captions just repeat what is already in the text.

[JournalsTLY]

In northern coast of British Columbia , there are wolves that live by the sea …. known as “sea wolves”.
But their existence is troubled as many of us are brought up on the "big Bad Wolf" bedtime stories.

Actually these sea wolves are not big.
They do not chase piglets or blow down there abodes but they do catch salmon from rivers.
Question - who do sea wolves chose to eat the heads of the salmons that they catch and leave the rest uneaten ?

Lovely photos in a very readable book.

[Reagan Carosino · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic journey into my favorite ecosystem. Unreal descriptions and vivid imagery- amazing natural wonders, an adventure and vacation in the pages.

[Carl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book!

[Canadian Children's Book Centre]

Photographer Ian McAllister and journalist Nicholas Read are back with a second book about the animals of the Great Bear Rainforest. This one is about the remarkable wolves that live there, wolves unlike any others in the world. Like the great bears (from McAllister and Read’s first book The Salmon Bears) with which they share the magnificent BC coastal rainforest, the sea wolves are unique and special creatures. They are smaller than other wolves, they catch and eat salmon and they can swim great distances. Unlike most wolves, who have been persecuted throughout time, these wolves have been valued and protected by the First Nations people of the rainforest. The authors hope to change attitudes about the “big bad wolf” and educate people about the beauty of these creatures. They are like humans in some ways — very social, family-oriented and hierarchical.

As in The Salmon Bears, the book moves through the seasons with the wolves. The writing is very readable — the authors write with a style that is chatty and personable. Best of all, there are McAllister’s photographs — up-close and personal shots of wolves at rest, work and play. McAllister seems to capture their thoughts and feelings as well as their actions. He is a remarkable photographer who obviously loves these creatures and the land they inhabit. Like The Salmon Bears, The Sea Wolves is a must for every collection.

Reviewed by Mary Anne Cree in Canadian Children's Book News (Summer 2011, Vol. 34, No. 3)

[Caleb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was awsome there was so much work put into making this book. I learned alot of new facts about wolves and how they are treated it is not the best non fiction book I have read but but I would recomend it for people doing reports on wolves. The book reapets this one sentence over and over again. the pictures in the book were outstanding I dont even get how they can even get those picyures. But all in all great book

[OhWell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful pictures. The information is sometimes repeated, but that's a good thing in a children's book as it helps them retain better. Plenty of interesting bits to keep adults reading until the end, too.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was filled with stunning photographs of wolves, but the problem was that the author kept on repeating the same information about sea wolves. The plus side of this book was that i learnt facts about the sea wolf that i never knew before ie: i did not know that they could swim

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I thought that it ad some very interesting details. I thought the pictures we just absolutly breathtaking. I loved this book

[Erendira Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful photos and lots of really good information about the wolves in the Great Bear Rainforest.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite an enjoyable read. Love the author's writing style.

[Alex T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book for younger readers that's nonetheless rather informative, sans some minor wrong facts.

Full review at: https://skybookcorner.blogspot.com/20...