Imagine finding turtle eggs in your sandbox! When a mother diamondback terrapin lays eggs in a young girl’s sandbox, the girl becomes a “turtle-sitter” to help the babies safely hatch. She raises the teeny hatchlings until they become big enough to fend for themselves in the wild. Then, with the help of experts, she releases them. Along the way, she learns about these unique animals and that she has made an important contribution to their survival. The “For Creative Minds" section includes terrapin fun facts and a turtle habitat craft.
"A plethora of facts are scattered in the text. The author has used a nice technique to insert non-fiction terms into the tale while still presenting a good story...This book is a must have for classrooms with children ages 4 to 8 and may be stretched to ages 9 and 10 when introduced in science lessons." - Children's Literature Comprehensive Database
"This beautiful full color picture book was a pleasure to read to my three little inquisitive minds. Turtles in my Sandbox by Jennifer Keats Curtis comes highly recommended." - Picket News
"Schongut's detailed watercolors perfectly support the text, showing readers not just up-close views of the turtles, but also their aquarium habitat and the food they eat in the wild. Sure to spark an interest in these amazing creatures and to increase participation in Maryland's turtle project." - Kirkus Reviews
Author/Artist Bio:
Jennifer Keats Curtis wants to help bring children close to the animals in their own backyards. By diligently researching her topic and interviewing real experts, including children working to help preserve and protect local wildlife, the journalist has developed a knack for teaching young children about important ecological issues and what they can do to help. Jennifer's first book, Oshus and Shelly Save the Bay, won the Frederick Douglass Award (Maryland Council of Teachers of English Language Arts). She also wrote Osprey Adventure, based on the work of Peter McGowan, a biologist with US Fish & Wildlife. Most days, Jennifer can be found among students and teachers, talking about literacy or conservation. She also regularly presents writing workshops to elementary school sudents. When she's not in schools, Jennifer contributes to several magazines and serves as editor-at-large for Maryland Life Magazine. Avid fans of anything having to do with the outdoors, Jennifer and her family spend their summers in and on the Chesapeake Bay. She resides in Maryland, with her family and a wide variety of pets, including a turtle. Visit her website at http://www.terrapinbook.com/.
Emanuel (Manny) Schongut is a prolific, multi-faceted freelance illustrator who works in children's books, book covers, textbook illustration, editorial art, posters, and advertising art – essentially he does it all!. Some of his numerous clients include Masterpiece and Mystery Theater, Public Television, New York Magazine, and New York Times Sunday Magazine. His cover art and/or illustrations grace books from a wide variety of book publishers including Harper & Row, MacMillan, Doubleday, Morrow, Green Willow Books, and now Sylvan Dell. In addition to his own artwork, Manny taught reportorial art and figure drawing at Pratt Institute in New York for several years. He now illustrates and teaches in the San Francisco Bay area. To visit his web site, click here.
Science and Math through Literature
