Turtle Summer: A Journal for My Daughter

We gave the book to our Grandaughter, who is a first-grade teacher, and the children absolutely loved it. It was an excellent introduction to conservancy of species.

The perfect "nature awareness" book! The format of appearing like a scrapbook is captivating. I used this in my 4th grade classroom... much to my students' delight. They loved it! If you plan on going to the beach this summer, especially in the southeast, it is a must! Ms. Monroe also has some adult novels that are terrific! The Beach House

Turtle Summer, a Journal for my Daughter This book presents a charming idea for a parent and child: to keep a nature scrapbook. Mary Alice Monroe has written and illustrated this enchanting journal of a mother and daughter's summer surveillance for loggerhead sea turtles on their beach. While watching the turtle nests, they observe and sketch nature's other offerings at the seashore. Like a family photo album, it is an intimate book. Photographer Barbara J. Bergwerf teamed with Mary Alice Monroe to add exceptional and informative photos, including one of Carolina from the previous Sylvan Dell book, Carolina's Story: Sea Turtle's Get Sick Too! This is a splendid mixture of photos, drawing, and text. Children, ages 4 - 9 will relate to this book and its activities, hopefully clamoring to create a similar journal with their siblings and parents.

Turtle Summer is an outstanding book which can be enjoyed by all ages, even though it is geared for children. The text is very accurate having been written by bestselling author Mary Alice Monroe and the pictures are something to behold. Barb Bergwerf is a superb photographer. Turtle Summer will be a book you will treasure and one you will want to give to all your friends who are interested in nature and our environment. It is a wonderful learning tool for children, too!

(If possible, read Swimming Lessons first) Turtle Summer is based on the journal that Toy was writing for Lovie in Swimming Lessons. This children's book shows how Toy and Lovie spent the summer taking care of loggerhead sea turtles. From May to August, Lovie and her mom are part of the Island Turtle Team. They wait for loggerhead sea turtles to return to lay their eggs. They mark the nests with orange signs so that the public will be careful not to disturb the nest. When the eggs hatch, they make sure that the hatchlings head back to the ocean. This book has a mix of color photographs and drawings. It's a celebration both the mother-daughter relationship and the nesting and hatchling phase of sea turtles. I couldn't help oohing and ahhing when I saw the pictures of the hatchlings--they are too cute! Turtle Summer will be enjoyed by readers of all ages. It's a great way to teach children about conservation and endangered species. A section at the end of the back has activities that readers can do in the classroom or at home. Mary Alice Monroe is a New York Times Bestselling author of ten novels. This is her first children's book. Barbara J. Bergwerf is a nature photographer whose photographs perfectly capture the beach environment. While the sea turtles are the stars of this book, readers will also enjoy the vivid photos of the birds and seashells. Turtle Summer is a delightful book. The text and photos really capture the reader's interest. I think this book will easily become a family favorite. Armchair Interviews says: Highly recommended!