Author: Amanda Lumry and Laura Hurwitz, illustrated by Sarah McIntyre
ISBN: 0-9748411-1-0
Publisher: Eaglemont Press

The following review was contributed by James M. Curtiss

"Teach your children well," sang Crosby, Stills and Nash, and that's
exactly what the Adventures of Riley series by Amanda Lumry and Laura
Hurwitz seeks to do by combining contemporary science with captivating
story lines and beautiful illustrations.

The Dolphins in Danger installment of Riley's adventures begins with
Riley's uncle inviting him to study spinner dolphins off the South
Pacific island of Moorea. (Why do they call them spinner dolphins? Read
the book to find out.) Once there, Riley and his family see dolphins and
humpback whales, enjoy Polynesian culture, and even learn to surf. But a
problem arises with the dolphins – they get trapped in the lagoon, where
they are removed from their food supply. Riley has an idea that rallies
the troops, and with the help of his family, a whole flotilla of
natives, fishers and tour boats helps the dolphins find their way back
to the open sea.

The arresting storyline of Dolphins in Danger is complemented by the
layout and design of the book. Each page is packed with information
without being busy, and the embedded learning this book provides will be
welcomed by any parent with a reluctant child reader.

In addition, in the back cover of the book is a Riley's World Passport
and a sticker "visa" from the respective book in the series. Children
can collect the stickers inside their passport, and can also register
for membership in the online edition of Riley's World. Combining all
these activities will put any child onto a global learning fast track
that exposes them to important contemporary issues such as sociology,
ecology and geography without the usual groaning and complaining.

From start to finish, Dolphins in Danger provides kid-friendly,
illuminating facts about marine life and the state of our oceans, as
well as fascinating tid-bits about diverse yet captivating minutia such
as the origin of surfing or where vanilla comes from.

In short, this is a book written for the curious child in all of us.