#keith ellenbogen

Superpod of Atlantic Spotted Dolphins, Pico Island, Azores (2020) A superpod of Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) moves gracefully through deep blue waters off the coast of Pico Island. These highly social mammals weave intricate formations as they hunt, play, and communicate.

The Octopus Scientists Exploring the Mind of a Mollusk, by Sy Montgomery, photographs by Keith Ellenbogen, (HMH Books for Young Readers, 2015) 

Sy Montgomery, along with a small group of researchers, head to Polynesia to study the natural wonder known as the octopus. Montgomery gives plenty of details about the trip without bogging down the narrative. Keith Ellenbogen’s photographs are rich and clear with amazing colors. The descriptions of the locations, even without the photos is enticing and begs the reader to visit. The researchers love what they do and have fun doing it, but Montgomery shows the reality of the hard work and dedication it takes to study one of nature’s most interesting creatures. The octopuses themselves are described, not only as a research objects, but as individuals with personalities and traits of their own. They show intelligence and curiosity. Some are shy and withdrawn while others show something akin to affection with the individual researchers. The researchers themselves show nothing but care and interest in the well-being of the shelless mollusk.

The layout is clean, with white pages and a sequential narrative. Expanded information is interspersed in pages and sections clearly delineated with an illustrated blue border. Special attention is given to each researcher, giving their background and how they came to be interested in the octopus. The backmatter includes a selected bibliography and index, as well as information on the author and photographer.

At eighty pages, the book my run long for lower elementary, but it should appeal to middle grade readers up into middle and high school. New vocabulary in the text is introduced with the definition following. The book could benefit from a glossary, however, in case a reader wanted to check the meaning of a word after its initial introduction. This book would pair well with any study of ocean animals, coral reefs, or, of course, octopuses. A great book to pair with this is The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration Into the Wonder of Consciousness, Sy Montgomery (Atria Books, 2015.)

Looking into the eyes of a 16-foot Great White Shark - Keith Ellenbogen -

Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary

Amazon Adventure: How Tiny Fish Are Saving the World’s Largest Rainforest (Scientists in the Field Series)

Amazon Adventure: How Tiny Fish Are Saving the World’s Largest Rainforest (Scientists in the Field Series), by Sy Montgomery and photographed by Keith Ellenbogen

Synopsis : Considered the “lungs of the world,” the Amazon provides a full fifth of the world’s oxygen, and every year unsustainable human practices destroy 2.7 million acres. What can be done to help? That’s where Project Piaba comes…

The Octopus Scientists (Scientists in the Field)

The Octopus Scientists by Sy Montgomery and Photographed by Keith Ellenbogen

Synopsis: With three hearts and blue blood, its gelatinous body unconstrained by jointed limbs or gravity, the octopus seems to be an alien, an inhabitant of another world. It’s baggy, boneless body sprouts eight arms covered with thousands of suckers—suckers that can taste as well as feel. The octopus also has the…