A shark that is ill at ease may make a threat display to warn another of its ability to inflict harm. Scientists have recorded a number of behaviours designed to establish or reinforce hierarchy among great white sharks. Chapter headings are almost identical in both books and range from the animal's features, social activities and habitat to its food, young, and its relationships with humans and other animals. One chapter, devoted to folklore, highlights sharks and whales as depicted in books, art and film. For those students who might wish to learn more about the animals and how to protect them, names and addresses of conservation groups follow the section on the problems facing the particular species.
Text is printed in a simple, medium-sized font.
Words in boldface type, in the body of the text, appear in the glossary. Other features include a table of contents, an index and a suggested reading list. Plenty of coloured diagrams, charts, maps and photographs enhance the text and reinforce the concepts in each chapter. Worth noting is the fact that the vocabulary in Great White Sharks generally appears to be more difficult than that of Blue Whales. Gail Hamilton is a teacher-librarian at Bird's Hill School in East St. Paul, Manitoba.