Review by Booklist Review
When spotted-seal pup Leopard is born, he weighs a little more than a bowling ball and is shorter than a skateboard. Aww. Because he's bitty, Leopard can't swim for long stretches of time and rests up on shore. That's where the Seal Sitters come in. While Leopard's mother is off in the water, human volunteers, including kids, take turns ensuring that the pup is protected from crowds and dogs. One young volunteer, Miles, even creates a floating island for Leopard and his mother out of plywood and foam to keep them away from curious onlookers. When Leopard is weaned from his mother, he grows thinner, but older seal pup Silkie becomes like a big sister and teaches Leopard how to fish, and he becomes healthy again. Although photos of the adorable seal pups steal this nicely designed picture book, kids will likely find Miles someone who is much like them to be inspiring, and his efforts may spark an interest in animal rights. An author's note about Seal Sitters concludes.--Kelley, Ann Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3-Leopard, a golden, spotted seal pup, was born in the Salish Sea in the Pacific Northwest. Here trained volunteers, including young Miles, a volunteer for Seal Sitters, patrol the area and educate beachcombers about how to enjoy their outing without endangering the wildlife. With sharp, clear full-color photos on every page and a simple text, Lindsey and Peterson explain the dangers to the seal pup that people and their dogs present, the most serious of which is the likelihood that a mother will not attempt to return to her baby if people linger close by, thus dooming her young. They also show the effect baby seals have on one another. Silkie, an older pup, comes on the scene when Leopard is being weaned. An author's note offers more information about the reasons for supporting Seal Sitting and a bibliography of a few titles of interest to slightly older children. Use this book to show a program in which children are actively involved and to encourage volunteerism.-Nancy Call, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos, CA (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Harbor seals in the Pacific Northwest come ashore in late summer to give birth to and care for their young. The beaches they choose are also frequented by curious humans, whose good but misguided intentions could threaten the vulnerable seal pups. Luckily for the seals, concerned children and adults have formed the Seal Sitters, a watch group that protects the growing seals and educates human beachgoers. Leopard, a newborn seal, is fortunate to have "kid volunteer" Miles on the case. Miles is a wonderful representative for community-based science activism: he and his friends take turns after school keeping an eye on Leopard. They also build Leopard and his mother an anchored raft for better protection against unwanted attention and noise from humans. Lindsey's excellent photographs show why humans can't stay away: Leopard's large, dark eyes and expressive mug seem to be smiling right at the viewer, and his furry, floppy body just calls out for a hug. Photos from a seal's perspective, though, tell a different story, ominously showing even the littlest humans looming overhead. An endnote provides further information about the Seal Sitters and their mission. danielle j. ford (c) Copyright 2012. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
