Images from Free Willy and captive killer whales performing at Sea World don’t tell the real story of these marvelous creatures. With their vast bulk and “killer” instincts, these predators — weighing up to ten tons and eating more than 100 pounds of food a day — rule their underwater world. This lively book introduces young readers to every aspect of these singular beasts, from their surprising social arrangements (living in lifelong family groups) to their pod-specific dialects to their awesome methods of killing prey. Photos by noted wildlife cinematographer Jeff Foott include rare shots of killer whale behavior.

Photographs by: Jeff Foott