Stingrays! Underwater Fliers

Reviewed by: Sheila Dube - Springvale Public Library, Springvale, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: May 5, 2016

Review

This paperback science reader will be of high interest for budding marine biologists in grades 1-3. Readers will learn how the stingray finds food while using it's sensors and poisonous barb to keep from being prey for hammerhead sharks. In this edition, stingray gives birth to seven pups which can live up to twenty years. The relationship between cleaner fish and stingrays and humans with stingrays are explored. Unfortunately, the design is uneven with a confusing mix of illustrations by Isidre Mones and photographs interspersed. At one point, the text states that the shark grabs the stingray's tail, but the illustrations show the stingray's body in the shark's mouth. The next page jarringly explains that the stingray got away and is giving birth to pups. The subject matter will make this paperback popular, although the flow of information is choppy.

Overall Book Score: fair