Carolina's Story: Sea Turtles Get Sick Too!

by Donna Rathmell, Barbara J Bergwerf

Overview

This heartwarming photographic journal describes a critically ill sea turtle as she is nursed back to health at a Sea Turtle Hospital. Readers will empathize with Carolina as she undergoes many of the same medical treatments sick or injured children face and then celebrate the happy day when she returns to her home in the sea. The “For Creative Minds” section includes fun facts, information on conservation issues and a make-your-own sea turtle craft. Both Ms. Rathmell and Mrs. Bergwerf donate a portion of their royalties to the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Program at the South Carolina Aquarium. Encourages children undergoing medical treatment.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781607180005
Publisher:	Arbordale Publishing
Publication date:	06/10/2005
Series:	Carolina's Story: Sea Turtles Get Sick Too! , #1
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
Lexile:	700L (what's this?)
File size:	12 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Donna Rathmell German (Carolina's Story and Octavia) is the author of 16 cookbooks, four of which were New York Times best-sellers including The Bread Machine Cookbook Series, which have sold more than 3 million copies. The 1990's brought extensive media experience promoting her cookbooks, with appearances on such nationally respected programs as The Today Show, The 700 Club, Attitudes with Linda Dano, QVC, and a host of other radio and television programs. Donna is a volunteer at the South Carolina Aquarium, where she has developed a keen interest in their sea turtle rescue program. It was there that she met Barbara Bergwerf, the photographer for Carolina's Story. Two of life's inspirations led to the writing of Carolina's Story: one day, several years ago, the dock master at the marina called to ask Donna to safeguard an injured sea turtle that stranded nearby. As she and her daughter waited for the rescue team to arrive, she began to think about the importance of helping endangered turtles thrive in their natural environment. The second inspiration occurred when Donna was introduced to the Sea Turtle Hospital. She recalled an incident from years before when her then five-year-old daughter was injured in a fall and had to be rushed to a nearby Children's Hospital. The terrifying experience of emergency surgery and the attendant tests and medications brought to mind the same treatments she was seeing with the turtles. She saw both experiences as a way to increase children's awareness and respect for the natural world, and wrote a book that is also an invaluable resource for educating children on what to expect from their own medical treatment.

Barbara J. Bergwerf photo journals her nature-related 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. She’s collaborated with best-selling novelist Mary Alice Monroe to share butterfly and loggerhead sea turtle photos with children through A Butterfly Called Hope and the award-winning Turtle Summer: A Journal for my Daughter. Her incredible photos also grace the award-winning children’s book, Carolina’s Story: Sea Turtles Get Sick Too! Barbara thought that she was retiring when she and her husband moved to the South Carolina Lowcountry. Somehow retirement doesn’t seem to be in her vocabulary!

Editorial Reviews

"This is a delightful book that will promote the understanding of the biology and conservation of sea turtles in general. The story of the rescue and rehabilitation of a loggerhead turtle is sure to enhance the efforts of individuals to educate children about the nature of our sea turtle population. Although the story takes place in South Caroilina, it is equally applicable to other areas where loggerheads frequent. The story is limited, however, and would be even more valuable as an educational tool if more details were provided about sea turtle biology. "

Science Books & Films

"With Donna Rathmell’s simple, straightforward text suitable for children grades 1 to 3, and illustrated with the color photography of Barbara Bergweft, Carolina’s Story: Sea Turtles Get Sick Too! is the true life story of the rehabilitation of a loggerhead turtle. Young readers get to see the inside of a turtle hospital, where sick and injured sea turtles are cared for and then released back into the wild when they are healthy. The final pages offer fun facts and a "make your own sea turtle" cutouts designs for photocopying and rainy day fun. A delightful introduction to one of nature’s wondrous sea creatures."

Midwest Review

PreS-Gr 1-A photographic journal of the rescue and rehabilitation of an ailing female loggerhead turtle. Close-up color photos record "Carolina's" arrival at the Sea Turtle Hospital, her medical treatment, and the efforts of staff and volunteers to get her back on her flippers and seaworthy. The simple text is highly anthropomorphic (Carolina "feels better" when she sees another ill turtle; upon release, she is "thankful to all the people who had helped her when she was sick," etc.), but it will appeal to its intended audience. Back matter includes photos showing other rescued loggerheads being cared for, "Fun Facts," and a template for making a paper turtle. Similar to (but far simpler than) Kathryn Lasky's richer Interrupted Journey (Candlewick 2001), Rathmell's book will find eager readers and perhaps boost their empathy level.-Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

"Magnificent, bright, and glossy photos in this 32-page picture book join with well-written text to make a winning combination. This book is an excellent supplement to science, reading, and math classes.” – Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database

From the Publisher