Turtle Songs: A Tale for Mothers and Daughters [Hardcover]

Margaret Wolfson (Author), Karla Sachi (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

The Princess of the island Kadavu and her daughter Rani are captured by intruders from another island while canoeing through the reefs. Mother and daughter sing in harmony, calling to the sea god who transforms them into sea turtles so they can flee their captors. To thank him, the two remain turtles, teaching their song to the women of Kadavu.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this story based on a Fijian myth, a princess and her daughter are saved from kidnappers by a storm that destroys their canoe and transforms the mother and daughter into sea turtles. As turtles, the pair return to their island and promise to come whenever the villagers sing to them. Wolfson's (Marriage of the Rain Goddess) verbose retelling is competent, but does little to develop the relationship between the mother and daughter. The princess and her daughter's connection to the sea, before their transformation into turtles, also seems tenuous (the only clue the author offers is the princess's glancing wish, at one point, that she and her daughter were giant turtles). An afterword hints at the importance of sea turtles in the Fiji islands, but their mythical associations don't come through in the story itself. In her first children's book, Sachi uses bright South Sea colors, from the princess's flowing pink dress to the intense colors under the ocean's surface. But the illustrations do not always contribute to the narrative. The real strength of the artwork shows in the spreads of aquatic life: the sea turtles, dolphins and tropical fish seem to swim off the page. Ages 5-up. (May)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-A charming Fijian folktale is brought to life in this story about a brave Princess and her daughter. The ocean figures so centrally in their idyllic lives that the two wistfully fantasize about transforming themselves into "a pair of giant [sea] turtles." Their daydreams turn out to be hauntingly prophetic as ruffians from a neighboring island kidnap mother and daughter shortly thereafter. Huddled on the deck of their captors' boat, the Princess remembers her grandmother's instruction that song could conjure the magical sea god and she and her daughter begin the melodic incantation that will summon the ferocious elements. Soon the water and sky begin to churn and the canoe's passengers are tossed overboard. The Princess and Rani, however, are miraculously transformed into-what else-giant sea turtles, and they return to the shore to ask the women of their village not to mourn their loss. From that day on, the women summon the sea turtles with song to give themselves hope and consolation. Light-filled, lushly colored illustrations accompany this well-told tale. Folklore collections will benefit from this unusual addition, the origins of which are well documented in both the author's and artist's notes.
Rosalyn Pierini, San Luis Obispo City-County Library, CA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Beyond Words Publishing (May 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885223951
• ISBN-13: 978-1885223951
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #107,861 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful childrens book!, August 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Turtle Songs: A Tale for Mothers and Daughters (Hardcover)

This book is so touching and stimulating for any child or adult who loves nature, the ocean, turtles, or the tropics. Sachi is truly one of the most brilliant water color artists of this century. I would suggest to everyone who makes this purchase, to keep this book in a special place and hold on to it; because this beautiful gift is sure to become a collectible classic. As a side note I want to share with all the other turtle dolphin and mermaid fans a web site I found that has hundreds of pictures of Sachi's paintings; that is sachiart.com Thanks to all the brilliant people at Beyond Words Publishing for making this beautifulwork of art happen.