Turtle Summer: A Journal for my Daughter

by Mary Alice Monroe, Barbara Bergwerf (Photographer), Barbara J. Bergwerf (Photographer)

Overview

This is a companion book to Mary Alice Monroe's novel, Swimming Lessons, the sequel to The Beach House. In the novel, the readers witness a young mother, Toy, writing a journal for her daughter, Little Lovie. This is the journal Toy is writing. Using original photographs, this scrapbook journal explains the nesting cycle of sea turtles and the natural life along the Southeastern coast, including local shore birds, shells, and the sea turtle hospital. Adults and children will enjoy the images, information and the journal with or without the novel. The “For Creative Minds” educational section includes turtle nesting facts, a shell identification activity, and a make-your-own nature journal.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780977742356
Publisher:	Arbordale Publishing
Publication date:	03/27/2007
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	264,488
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	780L (what's this?)
Age Range:	5 - 9 Years

Editorial Reviews

The premise of this beautiful book is simple: During one magical summer at the beach, a child gathers seashells while her mother gathers photographs and memories. The result?: A warm and charming book combining photographs and nature drawings that enables learning about loggerhead sea turtles, from nesting adults to hatchlings. Mom is one of hundreds of volunteers along the Atlantic coast who watches over and cares for sea turtle nests. Her special helper is her preschool-age daughter. As the season progresses from May to August, the pair learns about sea turtles' life cycles, the flora and fauna of the beach and, as the author puts it, "not merely to know nature but to feel nature." The reader learns right along with them. Monroe, the best-selling author of the adult novels The Beach House, Sweetgrass and Skyward, recognizes the bittersweet nature of the summer as mother and daughter cherish a brief time of childish wonder. Monroe is active in many environmental groups, and here she has collaborated with her fellow turtle team member, nature photographer Barbara Bergwerf, to produce an enduring book. Sylvan Dell is well-known for top quality children's books; their motto, "Science and Math through Literature," is obvious in the care they take to publish such remarkable books as this one. A great addition at the end of each of their books is supplemental information and activities for children or classrooms. Here, a two-page spread called "For Creative Minds" provides facts and photos related to sea turtle nesting. Two reproducible activities for young readers as well as directions to "Make Your Own Nature Scrapbook" are included. This book is a find for any parent,grandparent, teacher, or librarian. Well done!

Children's Literature - Judy Crowder