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Synopsis
Canadian Science Writers' Association's Science in Society Journalism Award Winner, Children's Book category, 2007
Silver Birch Express Honour Book, 2008
On a narrow strip of beach in Trinidad, a mother sea turtle comes to shore to dig her nest and deposit her eggs. Right from the beginning, the odds are against the hatchlings. Wild dogs, the rising tide, and other digging sea turtles could destroy the eggs before they hatch. The remaining baby sea turtles will scramble to the water as best they can - taking their first steps on a long and dangerous journey to maturity.
Included are the folllowing:
- Original color photographs taken in the wild,
- Simple, informative stories
- A "Did You Know?" section of interesting facts
- Complete with introduction, table of contents, and index for parents and teachers, and
- A fine introduction to nature for preschoolers and primary readers
Children's Literature
Of the eight species of sea turtles, the Leatherback is arguably the most majestic. Measuring up to ten feet in length, weighing up to two thousand pounds, this reptile has a rubbery—or leathery—carapace, hence the name, Leatherback. This book, part of the "Nature Babies" series, gives young readers a beautifully photographed and realistic look at baby leatherbacks, from the time mature female leatherbacks lumber onto the beach to lay eggs, to when a few hatchlings make it safely into the waves. Beginning with a personal note to the reader about traveling to film leatherbacks in Trinidad, Lang and Lynch detail the movements of mother sea turtles as they attempt to dig sandy nests and lay their eggs. Even before the eggs hatch, babies are in danger: from other mothers who may inadvertently dig up nests, leaving exposed eggs to scavengers. Once they are hatched, leatherback babies face predators such as wild dogs, ghost crabs and vultures, plus hazards like large pieces of driftwood on their way to the ocean. Male hatchlings will never go on the beach again; females will return if they survive to adulthood. The book's photography is extraordinary; after viewing a series of photos showing a hatchling righting itself after it falls on its back, all I can say is "Wow!" The book includes a valuable "Did You Know?" page with more facts about these amazing creatures, plus an index. It is well recommended!