What If There Were No Sea Otters? - (Food Chain Reactions) by Suzanne Slade (Paperback)

About the Book

Discusses the ocean ecosystem and the role of the sea otter as a keystone species in helping to maintain it, describing the otter's place on the food chain and what would happen if the sea otter were to become extinct.

Book Synopsis

The ocean ecosystem is huge, covering most of our planet. Countless animals and plants live there. So what difference could the loss of one animal species make? Follow the chain reaction, and discover how important sea otters are.

Review Quotes

Radiant illustrations are paired with simple, perceptive sentences to underscore the impact of the loss of keystone species. Each book includes a clearly labeled, well-illustrated food chain that shows the relationships between different plant and animal species. In a very effective convention, extinct plants and animals are placed in silhouettes within many illustrations-the black void left by the loss of each species increases with every page. This outstanding series will engage readers on many levels.-- "Series Made Simple; School Library Journal"

This series takes a simplistic look at the ramifications of what would happen if a key species became extinct from one of earth's ecosystems. Using bold color illustrations, the food chain jumps to life covering these ecosystems and their species. The text is interspersed with hard-hitting statistics and informational sidebars. The harsh reality of the effects on the various ecosystems becomes apparent as the book progresses and the flora and fauna begin to disappear. Each title provides a world map showing the range of each species. Also included are a list of other endangered species from the specific ecosystems and conservations tips. Readers will be attracted to the cover art and the rich illustrations, making this a good hi/lo choice for the nonfiction collection. Bibliograpy. Glossary. Websites. Index. Recommended.-- "Library Media Connection"