The Sea Wolves

Gr 5—9—The authors make no pretense of objectivity in their overview of the lives of the sea wolves that live on the mainland and coastal islands of British Columbia's Great Bear Rainforest. They devote much of the first chapter to debunking myths about "big bad" wolves and stress their similarity to humans. Such comparisons crop up elsewhere in the text, which follows the animals through the seasons, beginning with spring births. Readers learn about the wolves' social structure, habitat, survival skills, and physical characteristics. The text explains how coastal wolves differ from other wolf populations in size, coloring, and swimming ability. Advocacy for their survival permeates the book, especially the concluding chapter, where the authors admonish readers to change "our greedy, short-sighted ways." The only humans they admire are First Nations people, who have coexisted peacefully with wolves in the GBR for hundreds of years. The book's style is informal and conversational. The arresting images of wolves and their surroundings reveal McAllister's passion for his subject and his skill as a photographer. Librarians might consider purchasing the volume for its captivating, full-color photos and its introduction to a unique subject while keeping in mind the heavy doses of advocacy that accompany the information.—Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato