Can We Really Help the Dolphins?

Katie Daynes

Roisin Hakessy

Usborne, 2023

48pp., hbk., RRP $A19.99

9781474997881

When a group of children playing at the beach find a message in a bottle from a dolphin, they find themselves on an amazing adventure with a pod of talking dolphins who explain all the perils that they face daily in the ocean because of human activity. And, having been made aware of the issues, the children resolve to try to do something about it by making a video to show the adults in their lives that there are things that can and must be done to save the dolphins.

Written in a narrative non fiction style that speaks directly to the reader because the whole text is a conversation, this is an appealing book that alerts young readers to the dangers facing one of their favourite creatures.  This style engages the reader’s attention so they feel that while they are part of the problem, they can also be part of the solution making it more personal than just the usual facts and figures and appeals for help. For those who want to join the characters on their mission and want to know more  there are Quicklinks of assessed websites they can follow.