A dolphin with a porpoise

Dizzy
by Stacy A. Nyikos; illustrated by Kary Lee

A few publishers have figured out my weakness for nature stories or those involving animals in their natural habitats. I've only ever lived in cities, where the wildlife happens indoors, and my natural habitat is pretty much confined to this desk. I enjoy a good jaunt outdoors if only vicariously via picture books.

One of the publishers I've adopted is Stonehorse, a newish upstart whose marine biology books blend scientific accuracy and captivating stories. Dizzy's the third effort for both publisher and author, which this time features a speedy, Pacific white-sided dolphin.

Not that I'd know any particular species of dolphin from a can of tuna, but Dizzy's a cheerful addition to the pantheon of loveable sea critters. If I'm reminded of the sharks in "Finding Nemo" who sneeringly dissed their cutesy rivals, it's only because middle age makes me cynical. I usually want to bite someone that smiley.

Fortunately, the whip-fast Dizzy gets a little less happy as he exhausts himself trying to catch up with a "fish herder" -- a sea lion who rounds up the catch of the day for the other carnivores. Along the way he learns a bit more about his friends' varied ocean habitats in cheery rhyming couplets.

This isn't one of those "and then evil humans messed everything up" story, so it feels almost a little too upbeat. A few toothy sharks would've helped. I might've liked to see Dizzy working at something more than his next meal, as Nyikos did so ably with an  earlier story about a small shark who saves the day from, well, evil humans.

Even so, kids love dolphins and we love kids, and books like this always whet the appetite for a trip to the aquarium. If you're in Chicago, catch Nyikos at the Shedd Aquarium's gift shop on May 26 from 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Rating: *\*\

Comments

[Laurel Snyder]

This is great! I've just started a little review-blog myself, but not so much for picture books. With a toddler in the house, and my first picture book out next year, I'll be back for sure to get some badly-needed advice on what to buy!

xoLaurel Snyder
http://kidliterary.blogspot.com/