This collection of west-coast fables combines the approach of Aesop with the oral tradition of First Nations storytellers. Woodpecker shows how to be a true friend. Beaver demonstrates how to achieve dreams through hard work. Rainbow Trout finds that all things in nature have a purpose. Parents, grandparents and teachers will embrace Robert James Challenger's stories, which, like all fables, promote cultural values and respect among generations.

This book provides an educational and sobering look at the conditions orcas face by being captured or born into captivity. Young people will learn how orcas (who are part of the same biological order as dolphins) thrive at sea and have highly evolved forms of communication that are unique to each orca family. The book delves into the history of capturing orcas for sale to marine parks, which then attempt to tame and train the orcas to provide entertainment to park visitors. Readers will find stories about individual orcas—some of them world famous—and discover how difficult it is for them to adapt to captivity.

A summary of state campaign finance laws with quick reference charts for the U.S. territories and possessions.

Book Description: 揙rcas of the Gulf will be a pleasure to anyone who wants to explore the realities of nature. Mr. Gormley's awe and respect for these magnificent whales is shared with us as a small pod of orca pass through the familiar waters off New England. We find ourselves enveloped in the interlocked, interwoven spectrum of the sea; everyday life to the orca, white water drama and magical beauty to Man. Much seems incredible, impossible, even mythical, yet the author has included every available bit of science in his exciting and educational narrative. He takes us a few steps farther than science has yet gone with common sense and realism, challenging the scientists to discover the full world of the orca. His narrative theories on perception, communication, pod society and chillingly realistic assessment of human impact are most interesting. The values and perceptions expressed in this work are not human, but they may just be the orca's, and we can all learn from that.?/p> -William W. Rossiter, Vice President Cetacean Society International Author bio: Gerard Gormley lives in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts, where he studies sea life, especially cetaceans, as an avocation. His previous natural history, A Dolphin Summer, won broad critical acclaim for its artistic and scientific merit. His third nature book, about humpback whales, is in progress. Formerly a submariner and science writer, Mr. Gormley supplements his writing income by selling collectible books over the Internet.

How do orcas find their prey? What does an orca use its melon for? How do young orcas learn to hunt? Read this book to find out the answers to these questions and more. Each title in the Animal Abilities series looks at the amazing and often unexpected abilities that animals possess. The books also explore the ways humans use these extraordinary animals to help them, and how scientists have tried to replicate their abilities using technology. Book jacket.

This story brings to light a global problem that is right under our noises, but almost invisible to our eyes. A dolphin pod-family has a very rare occurrence; twin sister calves are born. This is followed by another, even rarer occurrence, the birth of a malformed calf. Courage was born with a malformed back and tail. His birth brings first curiosity, but then ridicule, followed by bullying from others. He and his mother had to travel behind the pod, most often alone. But Courage overcomes his limitations and instead, turns them into an advantage. This is an entertaining story, where children become aware of a worsening global pollution problem, for which their generation will find solutions. The story addresses what bullying is, and what may happen as a result. It also shows how perceived limitations can become unique talents, allowing for a successful life. The story has one foot in a fanciful tale, but the other foot is firmly planted in the real world, with similar events happening in nature, in the wilds.

A journalist “convincingly spells out the threats to their survival, their misery in captivity, and what scientists can learn by studying them” (Kirkus). The orca—otherwise known as the killer whale—is one of earth’s most intelligent animals. Remarkably sophisticated, orcas have languages and cultures and even long-term memories, and their capacity for echolocation is nothing short of a sixth sense. They are also benign and gentle, which makes the story of the captive-orca industry—and the endangerment of their population in Puget Sound—that much more damning. In Of Orcas and Men, a marvelously compelling mix of cultural history, environmental reporting, and scientific research, David Neiwert explores an extraordinary species and its occasionally fraught relationship with human beings. Beginning with their role in myth and contemporary culture, Neiwert shows how killer whales came to capture our imaginations, and brings to life the often catastrophic environmental consequences of that appeal. In the tradition of Barry Lopez’s classic Of Wolves and Men, David Neiwert’s book is a triumph of reporting, observation, and research, and a powerful tribute to one of the animal kingdom’s most remarkable members. Praise for Of Orcas and Men “Human beings need to learn from and understand the cooperative nature of orca society. Everyone who is interested in both animal and human behavior should read this remarkable book.” —Temple Grandin, New York Times–bestselling author of Animals in Translation and Animals Make Us Human “Powerful and beautifully written.” —Jane Goodall “Humans and killer whales have a long and complicated history, one that David Neiwert describes forcefully and eloquently in this fascinating and highly readable book.” —David Kirby, New York Times–bestselling author of Death at SeaWorld “[A] breathtaking survey of orca science, folklore, and mystery.” —The Stranger

In this book, readers will be introduced to the exciting world of orcas. Learn how these majestic mammals see, communicate, and hunt, and how they use camouflage to survive in the wild.

A picture book homage to Granny, the world’s oldest known orca, who lived to be 105 years old! For animal lovers and future environmentalists. “Will Granny and her family come again this year?” Dark fins slice through whitecaps, heading straight toward shore. Told from the perspective of young Mia and her family on a whale-watching excursion in the San Juan Islands, here is a moving homage to Granny, the world’s oldest known orca. This intimate and informative story celebrates the importance of respecting and protecting wildlife. It also sheds light on communication and family connections in both human and orca communities, all while answering essential questions about how these intelligent animals live. Christy Ottaviano Books

Readers learn about killer whales, including their life cycle, intelligence, threats they face and how we can help them.