Far from Shore: Chronicles of an Open Ocean Voyage is a book children and adults can enjoy. It recounts the adventures of author Sophie Webb, a writer, naturalist and illustrator, as she voyages with the scientists and crew aboard McArthur II, a ship owned by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in Eastern Tropical Pacific zone between Hawaii to the west and California, Mexico and Ecuador to the east. Their mission is to study the dolphin populations of the region -- particularly in light of tuna fishing in the area that can devastate dolphin populations -- as well as other marine mammals and seabirds.

Seabirds are Webb's focus on the trip, and she spends much of her time on the flying bridge watching for, identifying and counting the birds she can see from the ship.

Through her vivid descriptions and her colorful, highly detailed illustrations (many of which were painted on the ship), Webb takes readers along on a several-month voyage of discovery. Along the way, readers will learn a lot about dolphins and whales, flying fish, frigatebirds, yellowfin tuna, sharks and even the consistency of a red-footed booby's poop.

You will share her excitement at each new sighting, and you'll come away with a clearer understanding of deep-sea life. You'll gain new knowledge, too, about the scientific process aboard a research vessel.

Years ago, my daughter flirted with the idea of becoming a marine biologist -- at least until other kids convinced her it was a "weird" interest for a girl to have. I wish I'd had this book then; it might have persuaded her otherwise. Webb makes the job sound exciting and fun -- while still acknowledging that it's a lot of work, sometimes even drudgery -- and perhaps my daughter would have realized it's anything but weird.

[ visit Sophie Webb's website ]