A Place for Turtles

by Melissa Stewart, Higgins Bond (Illustrations)

In simple yet informative language, A Place for Turtles introduces young readers to the ways human action or inaction can affect turtle populations and opens kids minds to a wide range of environmental issues. Describing various examples, the text provides an intriguing look at turtles, at the ecosystems that support their survival, and at the efforts of some people to save them. At the end of the book, the author offers readers a list of things they can do to help protect these special creatures in their own communities.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Animals, Science, Environment, Nature, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2013

About the author

Melissa Stewart is the award-winning author of more than 180 science and nature books for children. She offers a wide range of programs for schools, libraries, nature centers, and conferences. www.melissa-stewart.com"

Reviews

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book's "the turtles are in danger and it's all your fault" attitude is very off-putting. It teaches very little about the different types of turtles, how they live, what they eat, etc., choosing instead to focus on making sure young readers don't harm turtles in the future. I don't read books with heavy-handed messages to my children, so we'll be skipping this one. It would be most appealing to science teachers wanting to introduce conservation.

[Roberta Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking for some new books to celebrate Earth Day in April? Look no further. A Place for Turtles by Melissa Stewart and illustrated by Higgins Bond and others in the A Place for… series are wonderful choices to increase understanding of environmental issues.

Starting with the endpapers, which show range maps for 10 common species, the book is full of information about turtles. In a series of two-page spreads, Melissa Stewart introduces the reader to a problem that turtles face and what is being done about it, using simple and easy to comprehend language. Some ideas for protecting turtles are as straightforward as keeping your dog on a leash when hiking or using cloth bags rather than plastic ones.

The illustrations by Higgins Bond are exceptionally bright and enticing. Many of the illustrations draw young readers in by showing children engaging in activities to assist turtles.

The reality of our world today is that many animals are in danger. Unlike some books about threatened and endangered animals that can be depressing to read, this book remains positive by emphasizing what actions can help mitigate the threats. Turtles and turtle lovers both will surely benefit from it.

See Wrapped In Foil for full details.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Filled with acrylic illustrations that almost fool readers into thinking they are in the great outdoors on a nature hike alongside engaging, informative text, this title is an empassioned plea to save a spot in our world for turtles. As the text and illustrations introduce different types of turtles, information about how the intrusion of humans or the introduction of non-native plants and species to the turtles' habitat has caused problems for them. But what adds to the enjoyment of this wonderful book is the author's constant reference to how humans can help the turtles by creating new wetlands, no longer using plastic shopping bags, refusing to collect reptiles, or keeping their dogs on leashes. She even describes several reasons why turtles are an important part of the ecosystem. This is a worthy addition to the other titles in the "A Place for..." series.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An attractively illustrated, informative introduction to turtle habitats and environmental issues that affect them.

[Michele Knott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous book - I love the accessible text for young readers, paired with addition information in a side bar and beautiful illustrations by Higgins Bond.

[Maria Caplin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks ML for the recommendation! Excellent for cause and effect with the text set up along with learning many new facts that will review chronology.

[SheReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed for YA Books Central

Books like this need to be written and read.

Turtles are beautiful animals, but they have a hard time in this world - mostly because of human activities that we have the power to change. Inside the pages of this book, young readers are presented with various problems turtles face from invasive plant species in their habitats to the dangers of humans keeping them as pets. With each problem, they're also presented with a solution in a simple way that is easy for readers of all ages to understand.
This book is a fantastic learning tool with gorgeous imagery that will entrance young eyes. It's the kind of book every parent should want their kids reading over and over. I particularly liked the turtle facts spread throughout the book and even the maps showing where certain turtles live.

Final Verdict:
A fun way to learn about an important subject. Just a beautiful, well-written, and important book.

[Sue Poduska · Rating 4 out of 5]

First released in 2008, this highly informative and entertaining book has been revised and updated for a new audience and for new data. This is truly for a family and schoolroom discussion. Beautifully realistic illustrations help readers relate to the turtles. The key is to leave them alone as much as possible and help where necessary. Highly recommended for home and classroom.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Renton Highlands Library Easy Nonfiction

This does exactly what it says on the tin, with colorful pictures of turtles with people around them whenever possible. The emphasis is on how people's actions and decisions can affect the turtles, and specifically how we can protect the cute little reptiles. It's fine.

[Valerie Fatura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This informational book would be good to use with grades 1-4. One unique feature of the book is that it is still a story, but there are non-fiction features on the sides of the pages.

[Shaundell Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was wonderful in showing us what behaviors humans do are appropriate and inappropriate in helping the turtles to survive.

[Vera Godley · Rating 4 out of 5]

When raising my children in small-town-USA with a big backyard, it seemed inevitable that they would find turtles from time to time. When they did, they were allowed (by Mom and Dad) to pick them up carefully (being careful to avoid the reach of the turtles snapping mouth), and observe them for awhile. The turtles were never harmed and were ALWAYS placed back where they were found. This gave the kids the opportunity to see some of God's creation up close and observe their movements.

Of course, the kids didn't want to let the turtles go back where they belonged, and that is why Moms and Dads make decisions. You see, there is A Place for Turtles and it is not in a box in your house. Not in a terrarium on your shelf. And not away from their natural habitat.

This beautifully illustrated book about turtles gives a good introduction to young elementary children of the importance of preserving the natural habitats of wildlife and in particular turtles. When plants foreign to a region are introduced, they can wreak havoc on the survival of wildlife. Each two page spread illustrates a turtle species or fact and there are interesting tidbits in a sidebar.

I especially like the two page spread in the front and the back of the book depicting the North America area with mapped distribution of each type of turtle. There are 12 illustrations for 12 different turtle types, including ocean dwelling turtles.

Now back to my kids and turtles..... I am pretty sure the turtles they always found were most probably Boxed Turtles, though there may have been a spotted turtle, too. Again, we knew it was best not to keep them as "pets" and quickly released them back to the area in which they were found. Did the same turtles revisit us? Ah, who knows. I just know that we found right many turtles through the years though we didn't live near a pond or creek. They just came and went. Such is our natural world. Fascinating and interesting and all God's creation.

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy of A Place for Turtles was provided by Peachtree Publishers in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed are solely my own.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This nonfiction book is about the different varieties of turtles that live in the United States and how the actions of humans affect the quality of their lives. The book begins inside the front and back covers showing twelve varieties of turtles along with maps of where each turtle lives. Each page has a short reading on a turtle and then a sidebar that extends the information. The sidebars provide information on how humans can be more aware of their actions to protect the turtle population. For example, the western pond turtle lives in Washington state and its population was at the brink of extinction because people were stocking lakes and ponds with large-mouth bass and these fish were eating the baby turtles. When the problem was acknowledged, people came together and gathered up the hatchlings and a local zoo raised the turtles until they could survive in the wild. Another way humans can help is by using reusable grocery bags because the leatherback turtle who lives in the ocean, likes to eat jellyfish. However, plastic grocery bags like similar to jellyfish when they are in the water and the turtle attempt to eat them. This blocks their digestive system and they starve to death. This is a wonderful book that will teach the children to be more aware of the environment and will teach them empathy towards other living things. Children who are in second and fourth grade could truly appreciate the information included in this book. A teacher could use this book as part of an Earth Day unit to teach the children not to litter and why. Maybe the teacher could take the students on a hike around the school to clean up any litter. The teacher could also have the children write in their journal ways they could help keep our environment safe for the wild animals who live in it.

[Patricia Kemp Blackmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can we do to ensure there will always be a place for turtles on this planet? It is up to humans to protect the turtles existence.

There are turtles that live in the ocean, in lakes and ponds, then there are those that live in the desert and farmlands. No matter where they live they are always in danger at the hand of humans, whether it is from plastic bags, vegetation planted by humans taking over their nesting grounds or humans making the mistake of taking them out of their habit as pets exposing them to diseases if released back into nature. It is our responsibility to make sure they have a place so they can live and grow.

The author definitely did her research on the turtle. When she had all the right material she needed she wrote this book in a way that our children will be encouraged to help the turtle and its habitat so they can live and grow. The illustrations are spot on with the author's writings giving a visual look of the different kinds of turtles and their habitats.

I have read some of the author's other books in the A Place For Series with the same enthusiasm as this final book of this series. The series will make a great addition any child's collection of books. Just image them spouting off all the facts they have learned to their friends and family.

I highly recommend this book to children ages 6-10, parents, grandparents, educators, librarians and caregivers.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from Peachtree Publisher for review. I was in no way compensated for this review. This is my honest opinion.

GIVEAWAY ENDS 3/29/2013 HERE.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The endpapers on this book are maps of the range of different types of turtles. I really like this series by Melissa Stewart, which includes other titles layed out with the same problem-solution format. The book places the text in nice, neat, color-banded borders at the top of each page. Each page is a neatly laid out problem and solution structure. Each side bar inset tells something specific to the turtle on the page. For example, you might have detailed information on the Western Pond Turtle. There are also inset, captioned drawings of turtles in all stages of development, from hatching egg, to adult turtle. The full-bleed illustrations are very realistic.You could almost think that they are photographs. Each first letter on the page is bolded to start you off reading this important text. The endnote includes "Terrific Turtle Tidbits", and there are also a couple of websites for further study. This text does a nice job of showing how lay people and scientists can observe and help turtles.

Use this book as a mentor text for the problem-solution text structure. Find the different turtles on a map of the United States. Have students research a turtle and become "experts". As a class develop a list of problems and solutions that are specific to turtles. What are the obstacles they face in the environment and how can we help them survive better? Study the place of turtles in the food chain and why it is important to maintain a strong population of them.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another strong title in the A Place for… series, this book introduces children to turtles and the role that people play in keeping them safe and their habitats viable. Each page shows a different species of turtle in their specific habitat with the main part of the page explaining an overarching theme. The inset on each page talks about scientific facts about the turtles, often including ways that humans have helped turtles survive. The combination makes for an engaging way to present the information, giving readers the sense of digging deeper into the more specific information. The emphasis here is on being a good steward of the environment and the way that humans can ensure the continued survival of turtles.

Stewart writes with an engaging tone, inviting young readers to explore the subject. The insets on the pages are filled with dramatic examples, facts and scientific information. Yet they never feel heavy thanks to the fine selection of intriguing information provided. Bond’s illustrations reveal the lives of turtles, from the sea turtles escaping fishing nets to the lethal beauty of purple loosestrife. He captures the beauty of both the habitat and the creatures.

A fine choice for library nonfiction collections, this is a great introduction to turtles and an inspiring call to action for children. Appropriate for ages 6-9.

[Jim Erekson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third 2013 title I've read by Melissa Stewart. She seems to be a prolific powerhouse in the informational book field these past few years. Unfortunately, she is also signing on as a disciple of the Common Core...

I haven't seen as much problem-solution thought structure in informational books as I would like, so it was good to read Stewart's simple, straightforward problem-solution sentences and sidebars.

Her solutions were more interesting when they were positive, giving people something they should do instead of telling them what not to do. There were only three negatives, and the writing would have been better if it had stayed consistent.

Instead of "when people stop using plastic bags" the sentence could have used her suggestion from the sidebar "when people take reusable bags with them to the store". Instead of "when lawmakers stop people from hunting" it would be more appropriate to discuss wildlife management techniques that allow permit-based hunting and conservation (prohibiting hunting completely usually only leads to poaching, and a black market). Instead of "when people stop collecting turtles" encourage people to collect via photography, which has been a great solution for many endangered species.

[Brittany Martz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book because the illustrations look so real and are so full of details. The book includes a great map and picture of where each turtle is located around the world. This is a wonderful book about all the different types of turtles and how they live and are affected by humans. Each page includes a little bit of information about each turtle, their environment, and how humans can harm them. Each page also includes a sidebar that has more detailed information about the type of turtle that lives in that environment. This book provides a lot of great information for students to learn more about different kinds of turtles and the environments they live in. I like how the book provides ways that humans can help protect turtles environments and keep them safe. This book would be great in my classroom to talk about being aware and helping the environment. Turtles are just one of the many animals that are harmed for reasons that can all be prevented. This book can spark students interest to help keep the environment clean and be informed about turtles environments. I could have my students write in their journals about ways to help keep the environment clean and help save turtles or other animals. (Informational Nonfiction)

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Turtles live in all sorts of different environments, but many have faced challenges brought about by environmental problems. Melissa Stewart introduces young children to specific problems that turtles face, such as habitat loss caused by invasive nonnative plants, but does so in a clear, simple way. Throughout, she emphasizes that we can all help change these problems.

"Some turtles have trouble building nests when new kinds of plants spread into their home habitat. When people find ways to control the new plants, turtles can live and grow."

Stewart balances this clear, simple narrative with sidebars that provide more details on different species and the challenges they face. These specific examples add detail and interest, especially when combined with Bond's detailed acrylic illustrations. For example, Stewart writes that the bog turtle's wetland habitat has been threatened by invasive purple loosestrife that is growing too thickly. Families will find it interesting to talk about different projects that communities are undertaking to improve life for turtles.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Turtles are endangered throughout the world. There are many reasons for this, pollution, alien species of plants or animals, loss of habitat, fishing nets, and hunting. Stewart does a great job of pointing out these dangers and how they are impacting specific species of turtles. For example, the painted turtle is threatened by pet owners bring their dogs to their habitat and don't keep them on leashes. I appreciated how the author also pointed out simple ways to overcome these problems. Suggestions include: leaving the turtles in the wild, not participating in turtles races, turtle-proof fences, not hunting them, etc.

The thing I enjoyed the most about this book though are the incredibly beautiful illustrations. Each turtle is painted in its natural habitat doing what they do. Some of the illustrations show people helping the turtles, some show the dangers. I appreciated the variety. The maps on the end papers show where each turtle's natural habitat is related to the United States.

A beautiful book that makes an important point about how humans impact the world around us for both good and ill. Highly recommended.

[Madison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This fascinating little book is all about the various kinds of turtles. Each page gives information about a different type of turtle- there is a little story that goes along with it and then factual information on the side. Then at the very end of the book there is much more information for the readers to look over if they desire.

The illustrations in this book are a combination of actual photographs and then drawings colored in. This combination actually works extremely well and compliments one another. It is very beneficial to see a real life photo, but at the same time the drawings are done so wonderfully that together they make the book thrive.

As someone that is very interested in turtles, it was such a wonderful little book that gave me a lot of new information without overwhelming me with boring details. It is a great way for a student to get interested on a specific turtle and then perhaps start research from there.

[S Farneth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Melissa Stewart introduces the young reader to many different kinds of turtles, where you would find them and the threats they face. Some of the threats are environmental, some are natural, and many are the result of progress and man. The introduction of new plants, or fish into an ecosystem is not without consequence.

Along with an introduction to the various threats facing the turtles, Stewart has provided inserts about each of the turtles explaining how a particular threat impacts the turtle. The illustrations are descriptive and detailed. Each picture provides a beautiful illustration of the turtle in a natural habitat, or ecosystem.

The book is an excellent introduction to ecology and the impact of nature and man on the turtle. Perfect for the young scientist or ecologist.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Place for Turtles by Melissa Stewart, illustrated by Higgins Bond
Peachtree, 2013
Nonfiction
32 pages
Recommended for grades 2-4

Lovely nonfiction picture book combining stunning visual work with factual information on human impact on turtles and their habitats. Simple text across the top of each two page spread highlighting a key idea that is focused on more in-depth in the text box along the side of the pages. Historical and current statuses are shared. Part of the A Place for series.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Place For Turtles is a wonderfully informative picture book about turtles and how human actions are negatively and positively effecting their continued existence on Earth; something they have been doing for 220 million years. Higgins Bond’s illustrations are stunning, filled with vibrant colors and beautiful perspective views. This would be a nice addition to any elementary library or classroom for aiding in discussions on conservation and earth science.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a definite message to young readers--do what you can to protect our turtles. Great information on a variety of turtles and their habitats. Good issues to discuss and think about --we can all do something to protect the environment and animal habitats around us. "Turtle tidbits" and maps of habitats are included. Every reptile study should include this book!

[Dalene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to thank the author for giving me this book for an honest review. I sat down with my four year old grandson and read this book to him. He really enjoyed learning about the different turtles and looking at the pictures and comparing how they were like what we were reading about. The book is pretty educational about turtles and how we can help them to survive.

[Wendi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding! Can't wait to share this one with first graders. Very clearly introduces a variety of turtle species, presents a specific challenge each one faces, and details the solution people have come up with or could do to help. Excellent conservation messages, but not overwhelming. And lots of NJ native turtles are featured!

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book about all different types of turtles, their habitats, and how humans can help to protect them and the environment in which they live. While there aren't any real photographs, the illustrations contain a lot of details! Back matter includes fun facts about turtles, and a bibliography. The endpages have maps of where each turtle lives.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is suppose to be a good Common Core title---and while it is very informative---

I found it depressing. I just feel like I've always had "pet turtles" and pet stores are usually "overstocked" with turtles---and I feel like it's almost too late if they are already at the store.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great information and fabulous illustrations!