Marine life expert Connor is busy pond-dipping – scooping big clumps of algae and finding toad tadpoles as he clears the water. Reaching for a snack, he admires a postcard on his fridge from the Missouri Science Fair (where he won first prize!), until he notices a glowing shape appearing next to the postcard. He recognises it’s formed into a compass, matching the badge on his shirt. This meant The Secret Explorers have a new mission!
Excited, Connor steps through the fridge door and is transported to a large, familiar room with a domed ceiling, showing the stars and the Milky Way of the Exploration Station. There he meets the rest of the explorers who each have their own specialities, including a history-buff, tech-whizz, and volcano extraordinaire. As usual, the coordinates glow on the world map, showing where two explorers with the right skills would be headed. Connor and Roshni, a space expert, were chosen and the two of them set out in a submarine to the South Pacific Ocean.
A pod of humpback whales have lost their way and Connor and Roshni’s mission is to help steer them back on track. Connor’s in his element below the ocean. His expert knowledge of krill, red tides, and algae helps them navigate the waters. But they’ve encountered some unexpected problems along the way, including lost baby whales and a fleet of boats. Will they manage to succeed in their mission?
The Secret Explorers and the Lost Whales is the first instalment in a brand-new fiction series by DK (formerly known as Dorling Kindersley). Written by SJ King, this book allows readers to embody its characters through its educational fun facts laced throughout. With access to Connor’s notes on the mission, ocean life, and oceans in danger at the end of the book, readers are able to revise the key points from the book without even realising they’re doing it!
Packed with illustrations and fascinating facts about humpback whales, The Secret Explorers and the Lost Whales is perfect for emerging readers aged 7+. From learning about marine life to how climate change is affecting the oceans , and with a fun quiz and glossary at the end of the book, this makes for an enjoyable and informative read for both parents and children, or in classrooms.
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