Song of the Salish Sea

Puget Sound made headlines this past year when high levels of vanilla and cinnamon were found in the water after the Thanksgiving weekend, and while this might have been an entertaining reminder of how human snickerdoodle consumption can affect the environment, it also served as a warning that caffeine, antibiotics, and pharmaceuticals do the same. The waters of Puget Sound, the Strait of Georgia, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca (sometimes collectively called the Salish Sea, after area Native Americans) are the subject of Song of the Salish Sea, which explores the geological history of the region, before looking at the water cycle, beach and estuary environments, eelgrass meadows, rocky-bottomed aquatic habitats, open-water food web, and life cycle of the salmon. A visually rich production, with excellent underwater footage as well as lovely land-based videography, this ecologically-minded title teeming with fascinating marine life—recently named an ALSC notable children's video—also features a number of extras, including a teacher's guide and curriculum, a music video, and a pair of featurettes. Highly recommended. Aud: E, I, J, H, P. (R. Reagan)