Turtle In The Sea [Hardcover]

Jim Arnosky (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 22, 2002 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

A poignant story of a sea turtle mother who lays her eggs late one night, this is also a subtle story about how important it is for mothers to take care of themselves for their children's sake. Dramatic and perfect for beginning readers, this book tells of near misses with sharks, boats, storms and nets-all the things a turtle mother must battle in order to stay alive. The turtle mother will not stay to see her eggs hatch, because that is the turtle way. But by ensuring her own survival, she gives her children the gift of life.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"Somewhere in the salty sea beneath the blue-green waves, a turtle flies in a water sky. She is swimming to the shore. It is time for her to dig a hole in the sand and bury her soft white turtle eggs." Rhythmic text is paired with pastel-hued watercolors in Turtle in the Sea by Jim Arnosky, the author illustrator's latest look at the wonders of nature. Ages4-8.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

reSchool-Grade 1-This vignette focuses on the dangers-natural and man-made-that face a particular female sea turtle. She escapes from a shark, a boat, a waterspout, and a fisherman's net to drag her scarred body onto a beach to lay her eggs. Arnosky has chosen clear, candy colors for his illustrations-pink, lavender, turquoise-all surrounded by a sunny lemon yellow. These lush colors push the outer limits of nature illustration but are sure to appeal to young listeners. The text is often lyrical, "The sun will mother them with warmth," and very rarely overestimates our knowledge of animal thought, e.g., "She didn't know it was a storm." In all, this is a useful, enjoyable book for introducing young children to the plight of this animal.
Ellen Heath, Orchard School, Ridgewood, NJ
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 142 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile; First Edition edition (July 22, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399227571
• ISBN-13: 978-0399227578
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,799,770 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good for kids, July 20, 2003

By 

Sharon Teate "beach biker" (McGehee, AR) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Turtle In The Sea (Hardcover)

The first time I read this I didn't think my 3 year old would like it. It is not written simply and I thought it might scare him because of all the misfortunes the turtle encouters. But he really loves it and asks for it every night. I think it is good because it shows everyone faces problems in life. The pictures are great too!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome sea turtle book by Jim Arnosky!, February 22, 2009

By 

R Schmidt (Honolulu, HI USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Turtle In The Sea (Hardcover)

Turtle In The Sea is a great children's book on sea turtles. The illustrations are first rate, the biology is accurate, and the story is engaging. What more could you want?

The focus of this story is on the hazards of being an adult sea turtle. In this case, the sea turtle is a loggerhead, but the hazards apply to all species. These hazards include shark attacks, boat and propeller strikes (a boat strike is pictured), and by-catch (being caught in a net is depicted). There is a hint that storms are hazardous for sea turtles in shallow waters; I am unaware of the importance or impact of these events on turtle condition.

This is not a "Teddy the Happy Turtle" type of book, with the turtle talking to his friends in the sea. This is a biology book for children.

Very nice, and recommended for the younger sea turtle enthusiast.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A TOUCHING PICTURE OF LIFE IN THE SEA, July 25, 2002

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Turtle In The Sea (Hardcover)

Opening with a midnight scene lit by a piercing lighthouse beam readers see a large turtle laboriously pulling herself onto the beach in order to dig in the sand and lay her eggs. As the light illuminates her shell we see scars and marks, maps of the battles she has fought to survive.

Once, when she was very young, a shark had surprised her, nipping at her from beneath. Another time as she grazed for jellyfish, which she loved, she was plowed under the surface by a large boat.

Life is not easy for denizens of the sea, whether the danger is found in a sudden storm or a hidden net. Nonetheless, this mother turtle persevered to lay her eggs.

Mr. Arnosky has painted a touching picture of life in the sea, and of the new life that is born there.

...