Turtle Summer: A Journal for My Daughter

Gr 23 This introduction to the hatching of sea turtles is organized as a kind of scrapbook for the author's young daughter, seen in occasional photographs as she walks on the beach with her mother or watches for the hatching. "You are my helper on the Island Turtle Team. You are eager to learn about the sea turtles, the flowers, the shells, the birds, and all things great and small." The album layout, with several small photographs sprinkled with labeled pictures of plants and shells, is potentially attractive and informative, but views of the featured animals are tiny and indistinct. Monroe explains how the mother turtles come ashore, lay eggs, and leave; how the Turtle Team moves eggs in danger of washing away; and how the hatchlings immediately head for the sea. She urges readers to look for evidence of sea turtles on the beach and to be prudent about this environment. Little is said about the life cycle and travels of the adult species, and readers aren't told the likely location of beaches where sea turtles might nest. Closing pages include a review of sea turtle facts, short activities, and suggestions for constructing one's own nature scrapbook. Since sea turtles are described in numerous attractive and informative books, this one will probably work best as an introduction for young readers who actually live near nesting beaches.Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Attractive and informative best as an introduction for young readers. - School Library Journal