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Published June 15th, 2017 by Mirror Publishing.
Illustrated by Javier Duarte.
Launched September 9th and 10th at the Canadian Pet Expo, Little RES Q booth, International Centre, Mississauga.
Tamara the Red-eared Slider turtle is having a rough start in life. Her new owner loses interest in her, and she is released into a nearby creek, where she does not belong. Luckily, a Good Samaritan takes her to a local animal shelter that cares for "special species" like Tamara. There, she learns about the plight of rescue turtles just like her.
Tamara Turtle's Life So Far is the winner of Silver in the 2018 Literary Classics Book Awards, Honorable Mention in the 2018 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards, and winner of the 2018 Pinnacle Achievement Book Awards
Looking for information on turtles and tortoises?
Need to find a reptile rescue near you?
CHECK OUT TAMARA'S RESCUES:
INFORMATION AND RESOURCES ON TURTLES AND TORTOISES:
- Austin's Turtle Page
- Alberta Turtle and Tortoise Society
- California Turtle & Tortoise Club
- SC-C.A.R.E.S. (South Carolina)
- VA Reptile Rescue, Inc. (Virginia)
- Arrowhead Reptile Rescue (Ohio)
- Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary (Pennsylvania)
- GNP Reptile Rescue (Peterborough, Ontario)
- International Reptile Rescue (formerly Hart's Reptile World in Ohio)
- Little RES Q (Pefferlaw, Ontario)
- Mid-Atlantic Turtle & Tortoise Society (Baltimore, Maryland)
- Northeastern Reptile Welfare League (Vermont)
- R.S.P.C.A. Reptile Rescue UK
- Reptile Rescue (Las Vegas, Nevada)
- Reptile Rescue Center (Arkansas)
- Reptiles Rock! Reptile Education & Rescue Program (Ottawa, Ontario)
- Toronto Humane Society Special Species Department
- Triple J Reptiles & Rescue (Pennsylvania)
- Turtle Rescue of Long Island (New York)
- Turtle Rescue UK (Durham)
- Wichita Falls Reptile Rescue (Texas)
Fun Tamara Turtle activities:
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Check out the REVIEWS for "Tamara Turtle's Life So Far"!
Pets can hold great appeal for youngsters until the reality of caring for one sets in. As too often happens, pets are frequently abandoned because a pet-owner decides to ignore their responsibilities, and the consequences can be more dire than one might presume. Such is the case of Tamara the turtle, a Red-eared Slider released into the wild in an area where she simply does not belong. Fortunately for Tamara a kind-hearted man takes her to a shelter where they will care for her specific needs while protecting the environment around them.
Tamara Turtle's Life so Far, written by Regan W.H. Macaulay and illustrated by Javier Duarte is a book that belongs in homes, class rooms, and libraries everywhere. Children and even adults can learn from this story that is both endearing and enlightening. Recommended for home and school libraries, Tamara Turtle's Life so Far has earned the Literary Classics Seal of Approval.
-- LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards * Top Honors Youth Book Awards * Seal of Approval clcawards.org
Tamara the turtle, a red-eared slider, was just a baby when shefound herself in the pet store. Placed in a small tank with otherred-sliders, she was hopeful that somebody would buy her and take herhome. Soon a young boy tapped on the glass and thought Tamara wouldmake a good pet.
Tamara's new home at the boy's house was soon set up and lifeseemed good. She had a tank with clean water to swim in and a littledock for her to rest upon. But as time passed, the boy grew bored withthe turtle. The water became dirty, feedings were forgotten, andTamara's shell grew soft - not a good sign!
Realizing that her son had lost interest in his pet turtle, theboy's mother released Tamara into a creek that run behind their house.Poor Tamara! She didn't belong in that creek! Would she survive beingreleased into the wild, a place she definitely did not belong? Wouldshe ever find a good, loving home?
Author Regan Macaulay has written a heartfelt story about theplight of unwanted pets - particularly turtles. Most of us probablyknow of a family that bought a pet on a whim - a dog, a bird, a rabbit - that eventually fell out of favor with the family. In the case ofsmall animals such as fish and turtles, people think they're doing theanimals a favor by releasing them into the wild. The author, however,shows what a bad idea that is when readers see what happens to Tamara in that creek. The story does have a happy ending, and teaches youngreaders an important lesson along the way about the importance of caring for pets and the very necessary work that various rescue organizationsdo each and every day. At the back of the book is a two-page spreadwith a list of various organizations where further information onred-sliders can be found, as well as numerous turtle rescues that helpfind forever homes for these sweet little reptiles.
Quill says: A good tale to engage young readers and teach them the importance of caring for pets, as well as thenecessary work rescue groups do for at-risk animals.
-- featheredquill.com
Tamara Turtle’s Life So Far, by Regan Macaulay, illustrated by Javier Duarte, is part human interest and part environmental science. Ms. Macaulay tells the story of Tamara, a red eared slider pet store turtle, who is adopted as a pet for a little boy. However, the boy loses interest and doesn’t take care of Tamara. So his mother releases Tamara turtle into the backyard creek. Tamara’s afraid and lonely but soon meets some painted turtles who tell her red eared slider turtles don’t belong in their environment. Tamara leaves and luckily is found by a kind man who takes her to a rescue organization. There she meets other red eared slider turtles. Later Tamara finds a new home with the proper care for her species.
The story shows children the importance of providing the right environment and care for animals they adopt. Kids can relate to the feelings that a lonely and ignored pet would have. There’s just enough pull on our heart strings to want the best for Tamara. Reading this story is a good way to impress upon children what they should know before they commit to keeping an animal. The artist, Javier Duarte, has done a good job of illustrating the imagined events and emotional upset in the life of a pet turtle.
This story is recommended for teachers’ classroom libraries, school and local libraries, to help children understand responsibility and the environmental impact of keeping pets.
I am a long-time reviewer of children's books. I received a review copy from the author.
-- Penelope Anne Cole, Children's Book Author
Tamara is a Red-eared Slider turtle, and this endearing story tells the tale of her life thus far. Tamara is excited to be chosen from all the other Red-eared Sliders only to eventually be forgotten and ignored by her owner and set free in a nearby creek by his mother. Tamara is found by a man who finds her and taken to a special new place where she eventually is rescued and taken home where she belongs.
Ms. Macaulay weaves facts about turtles and taking care of them as pets into a fun story to which kids can relate and learn from without feeling a lesson is being taught—though a good lesson on the importance of providing the best environment and pet care is being taught.
Javier Duarte’s illustrations are beautifully colorful and vivid and bring Tamara and Ms. Macaulay’s story to life.
TAMARA TURTLE’S LIFE SO FAR is a terrific book which teaches responsibility and encourages a very important conversation between parents and children about rescue and care of pets.
**Disclosure: I received a copy of this book free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review. This review consists only of my truthful opinions, not influenced in any way by the author or publisher.
-- Karin Larson, Children's Book Author
