An-Animal-a-Month: Sea Turtles
All 7 species of sea turtles are endangered– learn about their lives and how you can help in these inspiring books!
Click on the book covers to find more information about each title.
An empowering example of how children can take action and make a difference! When a teacher asks his class to find and solve a problem, a new student discovers a problem involving loggerhead sea turtles. The hatchlings often miss their chance to find the sea if they mistakenly orientate toward lights in houses. The whole class works together with the community to solve this problem and others faced by endangered sea turtles. Ages 5-8.
Kind of nonfiction: Though the library shelved this title as nonfiction, the back matter states that the story was inspired by the work of the South Carolina United Turtle Enthusiasts. Thus, the story is informational fiction and categorized as fiction by WorldCat. The authors, Philippe Cousteau (grandson of Jacques Cousteau) and Deborah Hopkinson, use a compelling narrative structure to engage readers and show them how to work together to affect change. The problems and solutions described are based on science.
Ties to Next Generation Science Standards:
K-ESS3-3 (communicate solutions that reduce the impact of humans on land, water, air, and other living things) – The story shows how turning off outside lights, drawing curtains and blinds, flattening sandcastles and filling holes, not littering, and volunteering for beach patrols during the turtle hatching season help the hatchlings reach the safety of the sea.
3-LS4-4 (make a claim about the merit of a solution to a problem caused when the environment changes) – Students can weigh the merits and detractions of the solutions (turning out outside lights, drawing curtains, flattening the beach, not littering, and helping with beach patrols) proposed in the story. Would they be willing to make such changes to help sea turtles? Perhaps they will think of additional solutions too.
E-ESS-1 (Obtain and combine information about ways communities use science to protect the Earth’s resources) – Use this story as one example of how a community in South Carolina utilized scientific knowledge about sea turtles to help save them.
Swim along with Adelita as she makes a remarkable trans-Pacific voyage! She was the first sea turtle to carry a satellite tracker. The tracker allowed scientists and people across the globe, who followed via Adelita’s website, to discover where the loggerhead sea turtles off of Baja, Mexico go to mate and lay eggs. Her story inspired people to come together and make the seas safer for sea turtles. Gentle, lyrical language and rich, evocative illustrations will captivate readers and listeners, ages 4-8.
Kind of nonfiction: Narrative biography of Adelita’s life with an author’s note, timeline, and additional resources in the back matter. (My categorization using Melissa Stewart’s 5 Kinds of Nonfiction.)
Build knowledge, passion, and action with this comprehensive mid-grade book from National Geographic Kids! Its 112 pages are packed with information about all 7 species of sea turtles, portraits of rescued turtles, interviews with scientists, stunning photographs, and doable ideas for young people looking to make a difference. Ages 10-14.
Kind of nonfiction: A well-mixed combination of traditional, narrative, and browsable nonfiction that keeps the pages turning. A great reference for reports and inspiration for classes and clubs interested in advocating for sea turtles. (My categorization using Melissa Stewart’s 5 Kinds of Nonfiction.)
Using facts to inspire awe and respect! Count up to 10 as you learn astounding, yet clear and concise, information about sea turtles. Readers and listeners will be dazzled by sea turtle navigation skills, ancient heritage, and their roles in keeping beaches and seas healthy. Short sidebars give ideas on how to show love for these creatures, simple things anyone can do. The lively, realistic illustrations are labeled with sea turtle body parts, plus other animals and plants found alongside sea turtles. Ages 3-6.
Kind of nonfiction:Traditional nonfiction with a list structure and enticing layout.(My categorization using Melissa Stewart’s 5 Kinds of Nonfiction.)