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.
Written by Mary Alice Monroe Illustrated by Barbara J. Bergwerf
"The story's presentation (with the interaction between a mother and daughter as they share the turtle encounter) will draw readers into the experience, encourage turtle habitat preservation, and increase awareness of the plight of the sea turtle." – NSTA Recommends
"Snapshots, calendars, seashells, flowers, and illustrations frame the poignant text in this telling of the tale of the loggerhead sea turtle. The author weaves text as though wielding a paint brush to canvas. This book has an endearing quality that will make it a favorite with children and adults." – Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database
"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." – Midwest Book Review
Author/Illustrator Info:
Mary Alice Monroe (Turtle Summer) is the best-selling author of adult novels: The Beach House, Sweetgrass, Skyward, The Book Club, The Four Seasons, and Girl in the Mirror. The sequel to The Beach House, Swimming Lessons, is being released by Mira in April 2007. Mary Alice's first children's book, Turtle Summer: A Journal for my Daughter is a companion book to that adult novel. Mary Alice has written stories for as long as she can remember. As a child she could always be found curled up with a book or writing. One of her strongest memories is her first trip to the public library. She couldn't believe all those books were there for her! When they gave her her first library card, she felt as though she'd been given the keys to a candy shop for her imagination. She started her writing career by writing plays and musicals that she and her brothers and sisters performed. As an adult, she freelanced as a non-fiction journalist and authored or co-authored several nonfiction titles. Not until years later did fate intervene. When her doctor confined her to bed for the final months of her pregnancy, Mary Alice's husband handed her a yellow notepad and pencil and urged her to write the novel she had always dreamed about. Knowing she might never again have that gift of time, she wrote and wrote. “I gave birth to a baby and a book,” she says. Eight books later, Mary Alice cannot imagine not writing. She draws themes for her books from nature and the parallels with human nature. And, she hopes that by bringing to life the beauty and mystery of the fabulously varied Lowcountry ecosystem and various endangered species, readers will perhaps be inspired to support efforts to protect them. Mary Alice is actively involved with several environmental groups including the South Carolina Center for Birds of Prey, The Island Turtle Team, and is on the board of the South Carolina Aquarium (home of the Sea Turtle Hospital). Her work with these groups provided the inspiration for her novels and children's book. Visit Mary Alice's Website / School Visit Info.
Barbara J. Bergwerf - nature photographer extraordinaire has done it again. Barbara has collaborated with best-selling novelist Mary Alice Monroe onTurtle Summer: A Journal for my Daughter which joins her other photographic book about loggerhead sea turtles; Carolina's Story: Sea Turtles Get Sick Too! Both books stem from Barbara's volunteer involvement at the South Carolina Aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital, the Island Turtle Team on Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island, and the South Carolina Center for Birds of Prey. Barbara thought that she was retiring when she and her husband left the Chicago area and moved to the South Carolina Lowcountry. Somehow “retirement” doesn't seem to be in her vocabulary!
Visit Barbara's website.
Bank Street 2008
2008 and 2009 Florida Recommended Summer Reading List
So Much More Than A Picture Book
