This school year we are studying science with Apologia's Young Explorer Zoology book, Swimming Creatures on the Fifth Day. The world of sea creatures has been an amazing study; I think I'm enjoying it as much or more than the children. I've had fun scouring the library shelves for some picture books to add to our study. Look for more book lists on ocean critters in the future.
Until our family studied sea turtles, I knew little about them. And in reality, no one knows much about these reptiles. Between their birth on a sandy beach and their return to that same beach to lay their eggs, sea turtles travel the ocean depths in the world's remotest places.
Note: Some of these books did not glorify God as Creator (i.e. millions of years) but we still considered the books worthwhile.
Turtle in the Sea by Jim Arnosky
A sea turtle faces many challenges before laying her eggs. This book, as well as Arnosky's other books, combine beautiful artwork with a simple narrative.
Turtle Bay by Savior Pirotta
Why is the old man is sweeping the beach with a broom? Two of his young friends discover his secret and help care for the loggerhead turtles who come to their Japanese island to nest. I like the way this books shows honor for the elderly.
One Tiny Turtle by Nicola Davies
We've enjoyed several of Davies' nature books. She combines the story of a loggerhead turtle with facts about turtles and lovely artwork to make a winning combination.
Interrupted Journey, Saving Endangered Sea Turtles by Kathryn Lasky
How does a Kemp's Ridley turtle, born in Mexico, end up stranded at Cape Cod, Massachusetts? Through story and photos, this book tells the story of the Kemp's Ridley turtles and the dedicated people who seek to help save them from extinction.
Into the Sea by Brenda Z. Guiberson
Another lovely picture book tells the story of a female sea turtle's life from hatching on the shore until she returns to lay her own eggs. The dangers she faces help us understand why these creatures have become endangered.
Sea Turtles' Journey, the Story of a Loggerhead Turtle by Lorraine A. Jay
This is book is one of the Smithsonian Institution Collection and continues their tradition of factual information combined with a story and great artwork.
The Work of Thy Fingers by Pablo Yoder
Imagine taking a swim on a sea turtle's back or spending grueling hours in travel to see one of the world's rarest turtles. You probably won't find this book in your public library, but if you have a copy available, don't miss Pablo's adventures with sea turtles in the chapters on the Green Turtle and the Olive Ridley Turtle. Available from CLP.
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Imagine taking a swim on a sea turtle's back or spending grueling hours in travel to see one of the world's rarest turtles. You probably won't find this book in your public library, but if you have a copy available, don't miss Pablo's adventures with sea turtles in the chapters on the Green Turtle and the Olive Ridley Turtle. Available from CLP.
This post contains affiliate links.
Here in Florida where I live, volunteers can help Park Rangers count Sea Turtle eggs on the beach . One year there was a call for volunteers to help MOVE turtle egg nests, out of the way of tar balls from the BP oil rig explosion. When the eggs hatch, traffic in and out of the sandy beach park, is slowed, stopped or re-routed to help ensure more baby turtles make it all the way to the ocean! Come visit the Gulf Coast sometime! Happy learning!
ReplyDeleteI would love to! Sounds like a great family field trip!
DeleteGina
This is so amazing to find this list, thank you! My middle child is VERY into turtles and has been for 4 years now (so its a lasting interest). I recently came across a book called "Saving Turtles: A Kids Guide to Saving Endangered Creatures" by Sue Carstairs and it was really amazing. Its not just about sea turtles, since its mainly focused on turtles in Ontario, but it also has a section on sea turtles in the international section. It isn't written from a Christian perspective but its very minor what it mentions. The book is about a the Ontario Turtle Trauma Center and the work they do (and a bit on other similar centers across the world) to help with turtle rehabilitation and rehab and what we can do to help turtles. They also have a resource page and a website etc. I wish I lived closer to the center since they also do tours!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a teen I travelled to Costa Rica with a group to help at a Sea Turtle Conservation center, it was some kind of national park, I think... (I forget what it was called now...) and helped do some things there including patrolling the beach at night in a group to help protect the eggs from poachers. It was amazing since we got to see a Leather back Sea Turtle digging her hole and laying her eggs. We had special red lights on our heads to watch this process without disturbing her. It was amazing to be so close to the turtle.
Aren't the Apologia Science books AMAZING? We are doing the Botany one this year. I am also really enjoying it. Did you do the Zoology ones in order as recommended? How old are your children that participate?
Thanks for the book ideas! I will have to look for these. I've been wanting to get a copy of the last one for a while and haven't yet done it.
We are loving the Apologia books, too. We did the first Zoology book last year. I don't think they would have to be done in order to appreciate them. I think next year we are going to do Anatomy. My children are ages 5 to 10. The oldest two are the ones who I do science with - but the younger two would not miss science time!
DeleteGina
And I forgot to say - what an incredible experience you were able to have! No wonder your child is interested in sea turtles if you can share those kind of stories!
DeleteGina
Also, I forgot to add (sorry for the long comment!) that if you come across any other books about turtles from a Christian perspective, please share them sometime. My daughter asked me for some real books about turtles...when I asked her what she meant she said she wanted ones without billions of years in them! But I haven't come across anything yet just about turtles...not sure it exists. At least some of the books don't contain anything about how "old" they are. And its always a good reminder to explain to the children anyways.
ReplyDeleteIf you want a book that honors the Creator - check out the last book I mentioned. It is written by a missionary in Central America and contains many of his adventures with nature - including turtles. The book is large and will give good God-honoring reading for a long time. We are reading it through the second time.
DeleteGina
Here's another family field trip idea: Come to Guatemala and visit Monterrico on the Pacific coast where they collect sea turtle eggs and hatch them at the Monterrico Tortugario. For a small fee, you can hold a baby turtle and personally release it to run down the beach with hundreds of other baby turtles into the Pacific Ocean. Our children were fascinated!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the idea Karen! Sounds like a wonderful opportunity! And we don't need any excuses to come visit Guatemala!
DeleteGina
I'm loving the Apologia science books, too. We're doing Zoology 1 this year, and did Human Anatomy last year. Except for a teenage boy who refuses to be interested in any of them, my children are loving them. I'm learning a lot, too! Thank you for the book recommendations; I need to get that last book you mentioned with my next CLP order.
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