Follow the Moon Home: A Tale of One Idea, Twenty Kids, and a Hundred Sea Turtles

by Philippe Cousteau, Deborah Hopkinson, Meilo So (Illustrator)

Overview

Acclaimed activist Philippe Cousteau and renowned author Deborah Hopkinson team up to offer a story of the powerful difference young people can make in the world. Meet Viv, who has a new home and a new school by the sea, and follow her as she finds her way in a new place and helps bring together a whole community to save the sea turtles of the South Carolina coast.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781452158105
Publisher:	Chronicle Books LLC
Publication date:	04/05/2016
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	48
File size:	15 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

Philippe Cousteau is an award-winning television host, producer, author, speaker, philanthropist, and social entrepreneur. He lives in Los Angeles, California.
Deborah Hopkinson is the author of many award-winning nonfiction books for young readers. She lives with her family near Portland, Oregon.
Meilo So is the esteemed illustrator of many books, including Water Sings Blue. She lives in the Shetland Islands.

Editorial Reviews

"Delivers an eloquent environmental message while demonstrating how kids can change the world through teamwork and perseverance."-School Library Journal"

An empowering look at what kids can accomplish."-Booklist"

Urges readers to be activists and advocates when they see a problem that needs to be solved."—Geek Dad"

Gorgeously illustrated. an appealing model of preteen activism."-Kirkus Reviews"

Empowering story about grassroots activism and facing problems head-on."-Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

The name Cousteau will conjure, for many, the great aquatic scientist of the last century. His grandson, Philippe, carries on the tradition of educating people about environmental issues. Here, he creates the ideal book for classroom use that tackles human and animal challenges. Viv is a new student on the South Carolina coast. She is fearful of all the problems that new kids face: no friends, an unfamiliar town, and the need to find a niche. Fortunately, she is assigned to the classroom of an activist teacher who encourages his student to create a community action project. The assignment is a gift for Viv, who uses the assignment to explore her new town and learn about the fate of the baby loggerhead sea turtles. The book takes young readers, step by step, through Viv’s project as she identifies a problem (sea turtles are attracted to light and sometimes move toward beach front houses instead of moonlit seas); strategizes her activity (to disseminate information on the dangers of lighted houses during sea turtle hatching), tell a story (get publicity for the planned activity), and reflect on the outcome. It is unusual to find a book that so smoothly combines facts with fiction. Viv is a relatable character with relatable problem. The watercolor illustrations are engaging, especially the one of the town map, which might even inspire a project for students. Not a single page is wasted, with back matter including both valuable Internet sites with turtle information and facts about loggerheads. Also included are tips to young environmentalists and educators on the need for activism and ecological awareness. Overall, this is a slam-dunk of a book and will engage young readers. Reviewer: Lois Rubin Gross; Ages 5 to 12.

Children's Literature - Lois Rubin Gross

05/01/2016
K-Gr 3—The authors deliver an eloquent environmental message while demonstrating how kids can change the world through teamwork and perseverance. When Vivienne moves into her new home by the sea, she is nervous about finding her way. Her teacher and her classmates welcome her as they jump into an exciting class project—the students are looking for a problem to solve. After school at the beach, Vivienne and her new friend, Clementine, discover that the baby loggerhead sea turtles that are about to hatch may need help making it down to the ocean. The newborn turtles instinctively move toward the strongest light they see, and the brightly lit beach houses could point them in the wrong direction. Vivienne is determined to help the tiny creatures. The students in Mr. J.'s class begin working on the project by gathering information. How will they convince the homeowners along the shoreline to turn off their lights? The children soon involve the entire town as they launch their Lights Out for Loggerheads campaign. By showing the multiple channels that the students work through to raise awareness (posters, fliers, bake sales, a town meeting, the local newspaper, and the Internet), the authors expose readers to accessible, affordable ways to raise issue awareness in communities. So's lovely and bright watercolor illustrations chronicle each stage of the children's cause. The artist deftly captures the energy and enthusiasm in the classroom and the tranquility of the shoreline. The shadowy scene on the darkened beach as the turtles emerge from their nests is particularly atmospheric. VERDICT This collaboration provides an excellent example of how kids can make a difference through careful research, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Pair it with the equally inspiring Nights of the Pufflings by Bruce McMillan.—Linda L. Walkins, Saint Joseph Preparatory High School, Boston

School Library Journal