Carolina's Story

November 1, 2005
PreS-Gr 1 -A photographic journal of the rescue and rehabilitation of an ailing female loggerhead turtle. Close-up color photos record -Carolina's - arrival at the Sea Turtle Hospital, her medical treatment, and the efforts of staff and volunteers to get her back on her flippers and seaworthy. The simple text is highly anthropomorphic (Carolina -feels better - when she sees another ill turtle; upon release, she is -thankful to all the people who had helped her when she was sick, - etc.), but it will appeal to its intended audience. Back matter includes photos showing other rescued loggerheads being cared for, -Fun Facts, - and a template for making a paper turtle. Similar to (but far simpler than) Kathryn Lasky's richer "Interrupted Journey" (Candlewick 2001), Rathmell's book will find eager readers and perhaps boost their empathy level." -Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY"

Copyright 2005 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2005
Gr. 2-4. Using the form of a photo-essay, Rathmell tells the story of an ill loggerhead turtle that was found on a beach and brought to a South Carolina's sea turtle hospital. Brief but engaging, large-print type and color photographs (of mixed quality) follow the turtle as it undergoes a variety of treatments and eventually returns to the ocean. Despite the reptilian stoicism that the turtle exhibits most of the time, her recovery is effectively captured in pictures that highlight her increasing friskiness, including a great shot of the turtle furiously splashing water as a keeper tries to take her out of her pool. The added pages on sea turtle activities, intended for teachers, don't contribute much to the package, and more information on the sea turtle hospital would have been helpful. Still, this will be a useful addition to the sea turtle shelf of many collections.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2005, American Library Association.)