Chase the Moon, Tiny Turtle: A Hatchling's Daring Race to the Sea

by Kelly Jordan, Sally Walker (Illustrations)

Young readers will witness rare and extraordinary natural event as a baby loggerhead hatches from its shell. With nothing but the light of the moon to act as a guide, readers will follow the newborn turtles’ harrowing attempts to outpace a series of predators on their march toward the glistening shore. After only narrowly avoiding hungry crabs, owls, and foxes, the turtle rides ocean waves to a calm clearing. Following a moment of peace in the still ocean water, the turtle joins the rest of its pack on a dive into the moonlit sea to continue the voyage home.

Told with a beautiful, lyrical rhyming sequence, this book introduces readers to the birth cycle of a loggerhead sea turtle. Through the newborn turtle’s eyes, both kids and adults will marvel at the majestic, and sometimes dangerous seaside landscape from a perspective rarely seen before.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Nature, Fiction, Storytime, Environment

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 2, 2021

About the author

Kelly Jordan writes lyrical children’s books inspired by nature, family, and relationships that she hopes will evoke emotion and wonder in her readers. Her debut picture book, THE LITTLE BLUE COTTAGE, illustrated by Jessica Courtney-Tickle (Page Street Kids, May 2020) received a Kirkus star and SCBWI's Crystal Kite Award. It was followed by the rhyming nonfiction picture book, CHASE THE MOON, TINY TURTLE: A HATCHLING'S DARING RACE TO THE SEA, illustrated by Sally Walker (Page Street Kids, March 2021).
 
Raised on the Gulf Coast, Kelly now resides in Atlanta, with her husband and son. She is represented by Stephanie Fretwell-Hill of Red Fox
Literary.

Reviews

[Henry Herz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chase the Moon is a lovely, lyrical, rhyming account of the perilous nighttime journey that newborn loggerhead turtles make from the sand to the sea. Gorgeous cool-colored illustrations of the silver moon shining down on the brave turtles and the waiting waves bring the story to life.

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rhyming picture book that follows an adorable baby sea turtle as it narrowly avoids predators on its way to the sea in the moonlight. Lovely illustrations.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful, super cute, and just a tad scary. Follow a baby turtle from hatching to the sea.

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

[Deb Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story and illustrations. Love the cadence and rhyme of the prose. Bought a get copies for my grandchildren!

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way baby sea turtles instinctively know to crawl into the sea is one of nature's many wonders, and goodness, it can be a dangerous trip from the nest to the water! These baby loggerhead turtles have to be quick and agile to avoid predators climb sand dunes. Don't worry-- these turtles have done this for generations! Vibrant and adorable, Chase the Moon, Tiny Turtle! will have readers rooting for each sweet creature to scuttle to the finish line, their tiny fins sweeping into the waves.

[Ellon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was worried that this concept had been done too much (I was thinking specifically of a Black Eyed Susan nominee from a few years ago called Follow the Moon Home: A Tale of One Idea, Twenty Kids, and a Hundred Sea Turtles) but this is a fresh take! I really enjoyed the sparse, rhyming text with lots of onomatopoeia. The illustrations are gorgeous as well!

[The Blossoming Bibliophiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes you on the journey of a newly hatched loggerhead turtle as it races to its home in the sea while trying to avoid dangerous predators along the way. The rhythmically rhyming text and the vibrant illustrations gorgeously capture the first moments of life for these turtles from egg to sea.

It really is remarkable how these tiny baby turtles instinctively know that they need to head to the sea immediately after being born and this book does a delightful job at teaching children about this unique phenomenon.

This book was kindly provided to us by the publisher for review.

[Jenn Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rhyming picture book nonfiction of how loggerhead turtles are born on the beach and travel to the sea. Text is very simple/straight forward and it could be either just a simple rhyming story for younger ones or you could adapt for older children and talk in more detail about what is happening - e.g. we see different predators but there is never true impending danger.

Thanks to the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[The Silvan Reverie | Sarah Street · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet and lyrical depiction of a loggerhead turtle hatchling's first moments. The illustrations are beautiful and engaging - the turtles use the moon to light their way and the tone is represented well. It's a lovely age-appropriate bedtime story young children will delight in as they root for the little turtle hatchling to make it from its nest to the sea. Ages 3-7.

***Note: I was given a review copy of this book by Page Street Kids. Opinions are my own.

[Heather Stigall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fictional tale, told in lyrical rhyme, tells the story of hatchling loggerhead turtles’ journey from sand to sea. They follow the light of the moon, dodging hungry predators along the way. Kelly Jordan’s gentle text and Sally Walker’s gorgeous illustrations capture all the emotions of the sea turtles’ journey. The book concludes with some nonfiction back matter, including informing readers how to be a “hatchling helper.” Lovely, lovely book!

[Catherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was shopping with a friend & she handed this to me saying "this is so cute". She was partly right - the illustrations by Sally Walker are mostly cute but the text is insipid. The book jacket says the author was inspired by watching turtles hatch & dash for the sea in Mexico but after reading this I think she needed more inspiration; even young children deserve better from their books

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated book about a tiny hatchling turtle's journey to the ocean and the obstacles he must avoid to survive and enter the ocean. Big colorful illustrations in this picture book show what his journey in one night would be like. A back matter page gives you a thumbnail of what their journey is like and how you could be a help to the animals.

[Renee Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colorful illustrations and well-chosen text blend to make this picture book a treat. Although the dangers are implied and there is some tension, readers will be relieved that the turtles escape their predators and make their voyage safely. Great choice for Storytime!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter loves all things animal and we are really enjoying this book as a bedtime read. It's beautifully illustrated, the colours are so calming and we love cheering on the tiny turtle as he makes his journey.

[Keri Hurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great choice for storytime to talk about sea turtles and conservation, with factual information included in the back. Nice, colorful large pictures showcase how much the hatchlings must go through just to reach the water, and children will be in awe.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cute informational picture book is a great primer for teaching little kids about the life-cycle and natural predators of a turtle. While a couple turtles had some close calls, death was not featured in this book.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A darling picture book with very simple rhyming text, perfect for very young readers. There is a page with some factual information at the end, and it would be fun to watch a video of live turtles making the trek to the sea after reading this.

[Bethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Baby turtles adventure from egg to ocean, chasing the moonlight. Love the illustrations, danger from predators is shown with their shadows. Rhyming text flows nicely. Author note details the science behinds the first few hours of turtle life, as well as ways to help them.

[Nickel Pickle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mommy got me this book from the library because I love turtles, but I've been refusing to read it for weeks because it looks scary. I want a daytime book about turtles. Night time is scary. And the other animals were scary, too. They tried to eat the turtles. I didn't like that.

[Abbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book follows a tiny turtle hatching from its shell and heading toward the ocean. It has gorgeous lyrical text and stunning illustrations. My kiddo wasn’t super invested, but it shares a lovely and educational story.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lyrical and lovely, full of real danger and glowing with beautiful illustrations.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations! A turtle's journey to the sea.

[Norkett · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was quite an adventure for the hatchlings, their journey and the dangers all around are featured.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

My students would love this sweet little book. It would be a great book paired with a lesson on sea turtles and/or rhyme.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lovely story about Loggerhead Turtles and their journey to the sea. Beautiful illustrations!

[Owen and Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book are beautiful

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated introduction to loggerhead turtules' run to the water after they hatch.

[Viviana · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.9 stars

[N L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wholesome story about a sea turtles journey, pretty illustration too.