Dolphin Baby!    by Nicola Davies & Brita Granstrom Order:  USA  Can Candlewick, 2012 (2012) Hardcover     Reviewed by Bob Walch There's no getting away from the fact that the dolphin is one of the favorite subjects for picture books about sea mammals. Perhaps that's because the other two showstoppers – the shark and whale – can often be a little too awesome and frightening for the younger set. In this Junior Library Guild Selection, the author looks at the life of a baby dolphin from the time it is born until a bit over half a year old. Assisted by his mother, the calf learns to catch fish and discovers he can make the distinctive whistle that allows the mammals to communicate. Every dolphin has one whistle that's its own and might be compared to a human's name. Learning to live with other dolphins, avoiding danger and communicating with clicks are some of the other lessons the youngster is going to have to learn to survive in what can sometimes be a hostile environment. Dolphin calves stay with their mothers until they are about four years old. They begin to breed when they are about twelve and can live for between twenty and thirty years. An interesting picture book that sheds light on the early months of a dolphin's childhood, this engaging volume illustrates that many creatures besides humans need their parents for more than just a short period of time. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Kids books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews