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Title: Turtles in My Sandbox
Author: Jennifer Keats Curtis
Narrator: Donna German
Format: Unabridged
Length: 10 mins
Language: English
Release date: 11-13-15
Publisher: Arbordale Publishing
Genres: Kids, Ages 5-7
Publisher's Summary:
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" educational section includes terrapin fun facts and a turtle habitat craft.
Members Reviews:
A Surprise In Maggie's Sandbox
Early one morning Maggie is surprised to find turtle eggs buried in her sandbox. Mama Turtle must have thought Maggie's sandbox was the beach. Maggie and her mother call the Turtle Lady. She explains what needs to be done to keep the eggs warm and safe until they hatch. All summer, for 55 days Maggie keeps a close watch on the eggs.
One hot September day, Maggie sits on the edge of her sandbox and witnesses the birth of the speckle faced babies as they peck their way out of their eggs. Maggie names each turtle as it is born. The babies remain in their secure nest for a few days, and then they are transported indoors to tanks with heat lamps. Maggie and her mother become part of the "head start" program. The turtles eat cut-up fish and turtle pellets. They live in slightly salted water until early summer.
On the first day of summer Maggie helps the wildlife expert place metal tags through the edges of the shell of each turtle. The tags don't hurt the turtles but could possibly help the experts learn more about them. The 9 month old turtles are released into the bay, Maggie waves good-bye as they disappear into the sea.
This story and website, [....]are based on a real program that allows students in Maryland to help wildlife experts protect and learn more about their state reptile - the diamondback terrapin. Terrapin Station was started by a woman affectionately know as Maryland's Turtle Lady, Margaret Whilden.
The "Creative Minds" section is filled with turtle facts. The last pages of the book have line drawings of three different types of turtles: a diamondback terrapin, a loggerhead sea turtle, and a desert turtle. Turtles In My Sandbox, is another winner from Sylvan Dell Publishing.
Splendid way to lean science
A few decades ago, it was a common thing to have terrapins as pets in homes and classrooms. One could win them at fairs and buy them with painted shells at seaside resorts. It was a shame then that there was not more education about terrapins and their natural habitat. Jennifer Keats Curtis' most informative book would have been welcome then as it surely is now.
Children can easily relate to Ms. Curtis' book and the tale of Maggie who finds terrapin eggs in her sandbox! With the help of the Turtle Lady, Maggie and her mother care for the eggs until the turtles hatch and are released back into the sea. It is a delight that Ms. Curtis uses the scientific terms for the body parts of the terrapins as it helps children stretch their vocabularies. Emanuel Schongut's watercolor illustrations are clear, detailed and offer excellent support to the text. The facts and color activities at the end of the book are a first-rate addition to the book.