Review: `Sharks are known as the scavengers of the seas.'
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 8, 2014
Dan Jackson obviously loves to write and create books for children. He has a very large collection of published works and he never seems to repeat himself with ideas. Mixing photography with drawings and prose, Jackson aims for the middle of the target of a child's imagination and always hits his mark!Sharks can be a scary subject, unless you approach it like Dan Jackson. He starts with some interesting history and moves along to let us know that there are nearly 470 species of sharks ranging in size from a few inches in length to more than 50 feet! We learn about their habitats, their skeletons of cartilage, their senses (smell being the most keen - especially the smell of blood!), the fact that they see in color and have very special protecting aspects to their eyes, and more.Jackson then delves into the various species of Hammerhead sharks, the qualities of Nurse Sharks, the lifespan of the various sharks, and the 8 orders of sharks - some very fascinating information here. We learn about the `Lateral Line' - the detection of vibrations in water - and the speed at which sharks can travel. Shark pups are born fully functional and self-sufficient!  And then comes the scary part - the manner of attack on different prey (yes, including humans!). But the information (and terrific photographs and drawings) does not end there - Jackson seems to have an endless supply of facts. This is a great book for both youngsters and adults- beautifully written and researched and full of facts and images. Highly recommended! Grady Harp, July 14