TURTLE GIRL

Crowe intertwines a tale of human bonds with nature’s call to endangered Loggerhead turtles. Acrylics are both deep and transparent; textures abound right down to Magdalena’s freckles. Grandmother shows Magdalena the egg-laying process on the beach. She patiently answers Magdalena’s questions, but she is very tired and remarks, “I’m afraid I’m even older than some turtles.” Magdalena watches her failing health but is reminded, “I’ll always be with you, Magdalena, especially at turtle-time.” Magdalena’s reactions of sadness and anger to her Grandmother’s passing are natural. She has the support of a loving Mother, but she wants nothing to do with sea turtles, even when it’s time for the eggs to hatch. When a gull’s cry reminds her that it is turtle-time, she grabs her Mother and heads to the nests. Together they share the circle of life, “the turtle-time love” she saw in her Grandmother’s eyes. The human promise has been kept and nature has produced young who will fight to survive. A careful reader can follow Grandmother’s turtle pendant as it finds its rightful place. (Picture book. 6-8)