Children’s Book Review: Marie & Her Friend the Sea Turtle

Marie & Her Friend the Sea Turtle was the first tri-lingual book that I have had the pleasure of reviewing and it was a lovely treat to read.

Marie is a kind and compassionate little girl who is fortunate enough to live by a beautiful blue ocean and partake in daily adventures finding shells and going for walks on the beach. During one of her strolls she comes upon a sea turtle whose flippers are too sore to make it back into the sea by herself.

Marie tries and tries to no avail to help the turtle back into the sea, alas the turtle is simply too heavy for one little girl. She doesn’t want to ask her parents because they would love to make a tasty turtle stew instead of helping the turtle back to the sea. This part was unique and showcased how another culture can consider something a food delicacy that we might be surprised at.

The characters ultimately work together as a family and come to a resolution that culminates with one very happy daughter and two hungry parents.

I loved the tri-lingual aspect of this book, in no way did it detract from the story or the flow of reading it to the kids. I love that this touching tale could be read in three different languages. The artwork by Ruben Chavez reflect another culture wonderfully in amazing detail and color.

Reading level:Ages 4-8

Page Count: 36 pages

Publisher: Outskirts Press (March 16, 2009)

Publisher’s synopsis: This story is about the love that developed between a little girl named Marie and a stranded sea turtle. The story tells the struggles Marie had as she helped the sea turtle back out to sea.

Esta historia es sobre el amor que se desarrolló entre una niña llamaba María y una tortuga que vino a tierra para poner sus huevos. La historia cuenta las dificultades que tenía María para regresar la tortuga de nuevo al océano.

Cette histoire est au sujet de l’amour qui s’est développé entre une petite fille qui s’appelait Marie et une tortue de mer qui est venue sur le sable pour pondre ses oeufs. L’histoire raconte les dificultés que Marie a rencontrées pour remettre la tortue dans l’océan.

About the Author: From Nicole Weaver’s site at Author’s Den :

My name is Nicole Weaver .  I was born in Port-Au-Prince Haiti . I came to the United States when I was ten years old.  I moved to New York and learned English as a third language.  In high school I studied Spanish for one year and  four years in college.  I majored in French, Spanish and minored in psychology while in college.  I am fluent in  Creole, French, English and Spanish.  I graduated from the college of New Rochelle and went to graduate school at Bankstreet College of Education.  I am a high school  teacher of French and Spanish.  I love teaching language and culture to young people.

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