Turtles in My Sandbox

by: Jennifer Keats Curtis; Illustrated by Emanuel Schongut

Published by: Sylvan Dell Publishing (November 2006 Release)

Reviewed by Elysabeth Eldering

In this delightful book, we follow the adventures of Mama Turtle from laying her eggs to the birth and release of the turtles. Maggie, a young girl, discovers the turtle eggs in the old sandbox. She tells her mother about them and they in turn contact the "Turtle Lady" who gives them all the information Maggie and her mother need to become turtle sitters. They have to take care of the turtles through the hatching and upbringing for a short while to protect the turtle eggs. There are other wild animals that would love nothing more than to have baby turtles for snacks.

Once the turtles have hatched, Maggie and her mother create environments in aquariums for the turtles to live in until they are ready to be released back to the wild.

Overall, the language level in this book seems a bit "old" for the reading level it is geared for. I felt the book was supposed to be read by 6 to 8-year olds, but it seemed geared more towards the 9 to 11-age group. There is a glossary of some of the words that one would normally not encounter in everyday reading and some activities and fun facts at the end of the story, which the kids enjoy. I did enjoy the book and felt it was very informative but perhaps question the words for the age group.

Armchair Interviews says: Sylvan Dell publishes books that educate and entertain children.