Quest for the Rainforest River Dolphin

About the Book

The Quest for the Rainforest River Dolphin is a non-fiction story about a young girl's journey to South America to find a special species of freshwater mammal. Twelve year old Sherilyn travels with her family to Brazil and she braves the tropical rainforest environment and living conditions to seek out one of the rarest members of the Dolphin family. This freshwater dolphin is quite different physically from its saltwater relatives. The Rio Negro River dolphin lacks a prominent dorsal fin, has enlarged flippers similar to sea turtles and their skin gradually turns pink as it ages.

Photographer, Michael J. Szesko captures the entire journey with his professional digital camera. This book contains over 45 beautiful photographs of the rainforest and remarkable up close photographs of these gentle, rarely encountered river creatures in their natural environment.

Learn about a simpler life lived by the people along the Rio Negro River; life without cars, TV, cell phones and I-pods and the beauty and nature thatsurrounds them.

This story will appeal to dolphin lovers of all ages although specifically written for children ages 8-14 years old. Our guides, Ipupiara and Cleicha are currently working with Brazilian officials to protect the freshwater river dolphins from being killed by local fisherman and poachers, who do not share the same love we have for these magnificent creatures.

About the Author

Sherilyn Szesko is a student attending C.T.Barkalow Middle School in Freehold, New Jersey, USA. She enjoys traveling in the USA and foreign countries. She has been to The Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand and Brazil. In her spare time she plays on two soccer teams and enjoys hanging out with friends.

Deborah P. Szesko holds a Masters Degree in Science from Rutgers College, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA. She was employed in pharmaceutical research for many years before starting a family with her husband, Michael. They have three wonderful children. Ms. Szesko conducts workshops and seminars with elementary school children to bring them first hand knowledge of the world's people, places, plants and animals.