Into the Sea

From the time that she hatches out of her leathery egg on a moonlit island beach, and makes a run for the water, to the day, twenty years later, that she returns to that same beach as a fully grown turtle, intent on laying her own eggs, Brenda Z. Guiberson's Into the Sea, an outstanding nature title for younger readers, follows the life story of a female sea turtle. The early days, in which the hatchling must hide herself in sargassum weed in order to survive, slowly give way to years of growth, as the turtle explores her watery world, encountering both its wonders (a dancing humpback whale!) and its dangers (a fishing net!), and culminate in that magical night she reappears at her birthplace, in order to continue the cycle of life.

A show more wonderful book that pairs an informative and engaging narrative with beautiful artwork - although specific species is not mentioned in the narrative, the illustrations clearly depict a Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) - Into the Sea is one of our July selections, in the Picture-Book Club to which I belong, where our theme this month is seaside/ocean reading. I'm glad it made the cut, as it really is a delightful book! Of course, as someone who adores turtles of all kinds, it was inevitable that I would enjoy it, but I was also pleased when I realized that it was written by the author of Life in the Boreal Forest, another excellent natural science title for the picture-book crowd; and illustrated by Alix Berenzy, whose fairy-tale art has always appealed to me.

All in all, this is an excellent non-fiction selection for younger readers, and is one that I recommend particularly to those with an interest in turtles and other marine life. show less

With a gently flowing text (reminiscent of the movement of the tides, of ocean currents) [b:Into the Sea|456172|Into the Sea|Brenda Z. Guiberson|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1317791592s/456172.jpg|444715], written by Brenda Z. Guiberson and illustrated by Alix Berenzy, traces the life of one sea turtle, from the time she hatches in a sandy beach nest, until she returns, after more than twenty years in the ocean, to the very beach where she was originally hatched, to lay her own eggs in the sand.

Both informative and engaging, Guiberson's narrative presents not only the life cycle of sea turtles, but also the many threats (both natural and man-made) these beautiful and gentle creatures must often endure. I really appreciate the fact show more that the author has chosen to present a balanced text, that while the dangers sea turtles experience from human activity, such as fishing, are prominently featured, it is also made clear that sea turtles, especially newly hatched and very young sea turtles also face many threats from natural predators (sharks, crabs, barracudas etc.). Guiberson's text clearly, but gently demonstrates that especially the lives of very young sea turtles are fraught with peril. From the hundreds of eggs a sea turtle lays in the sand, it is generally only very few hatchlings that survive to one day return to lay their own eggs in the sand of their birth beach.

The excellent author's note thoroughly (but gently) introduces the concept of endangerment and extinction. While sea turtles have always faced multiple natural perils, human predation and even the inadvertent consequences of human activity (fishing, beach-combing, resorts and hotels built on or near nesting beaches) have critically endangered many species. Although sea turtles and their eggs are today often protected by law, they still face threats from habitat loss, poaching and commercial fishing.

I would consider [b:Into the Sea|456172|Into the Sea|Brenda Z. Guiberson|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1317791592s/456172.jpg|444715] appropriate and useful for both younger and older children. Although the text is quite dense and extensive, it reads easily enough and should not cause problems of comprehension for children above the age of four or five (especially if the book is being read to them or with them). The author's note, though, is a bit more involved and fact-heavy, and thus perhaps more suitable for older readers.

Alix Berenzy's bold and vivid illustrations provide a fitting complement to Guiberson's text, both enhancing and expanding the reading experience. In a classroom setting, I could easily imagine the illustrations being of use for teaching children about the various denizens of the ocean and the seaside (from the crabs on the beach to the sponges, moray eels, clown fish etc. that inhabit a coral reef). And the sea turtle is, of course, the star of both the narrative and the illustrations, realistically and beautifully depicted by Berenzy. [b:Into the Sea|456172|Into the Sea|Brenda Z. Guiberson|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1317791592s/456172.jpg|444715] combines both text and illustrations into a wonderful teaching and learning tool, a colourful and engaging story, but also an account that will hopefully inspire children to care for their environment, to help preserve the often fragile natural beauty of the worlds' oceans. show less

This story was about how a mother turtle was going to hatch her babies on shore. Throughout, it was informational on the ocean and sea turtles. Not only did it give information it allowed the reader to connect, which I personally enjoyed. There are a lot of words but it is an easy read, so I would suggest this book to older elementary students.

(the Children's group) Lovely, very informative. Would appeal to, and be comprehensible to, a wide range of ages. (straightforward but not dumbed-down)

This book is a great story that also goes through the lie cycle of Sea Turtles. I loved the pictures and all the ways that students would be able to connect to the main turtle the story follows.

Tells the story of a turtles life cycle. I enjoy the realistic pictures and I can incorporate this book into a science lesson.

The story of the sea turtles life, from birth to the birth of her own, is told in this book. It is an informative book about the life cycle of a turtle and survival. This is intended for elementary grades.