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Every Turtle Counts
When seven-year-old Mimi finds a frozen sea turtle on the beach, she refuses to believe that it will die.
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
36 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2014
21 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 15, 2015
Oh my goodness! This is a beautiful book about an how an autistic girl helps a sea turtle, and how caring for the turtle in turn helps her. There is a much deeper message here of the power of believing in someone and never giving up hope. I choked up several times reading this my daughter and was in tears at the end.
January 20, 2020
This is an endearing story of a seven year old girl, named Mimi, and her valuable connection and contribution to a stranded sea turtle. She is concerned and cares for the turtle and in turn this stimulates the blossoming of her inherent strengths.
The story begins one day while exploring the beach with her mother. Mimi goes off on her own and unexpectedly happens upon a rare, frozen, stranded sea turtle, insisting that her mother take it home. The mother resists, but gives in.
As it is revealed, this turtle is part of a specie called Kemp ridley. The author tells us (in the back pages after the story) that are only seven other species of sea turtles, worldwide, that "sea turtles...roamed the oceans", but now they are nearly extinct. Only "sixty years ago, 40,000 turtle mothers nested each year near Rancho Nuevo [Mexico]. In recent years, that number has dropped below 400..."
The story connects the rarity and importance of this one sea turtle with the preciousness and importance of Mimi.
Read the book to see the outcome of Mimi's rescuing attempts and how the turtle's life affects Mimi's life, longterm. The author has us rooting for and respecting both the turtle and Mimi.
Watch out for the landlord in the story. I believe she is there to emphasize and contrast the idea being short sighted to the idea of recognizing the importance of nurturing and valuing both Mimi and the turtle.
Mimi has autism and this book gives credence to that. It is seen as an aspect of Mimi's life that makes her unique in the same way anyone's different, but unique qualities would.
The watercolor pictures in this book really fit the story.
This book was especially meaningful to me, since I have visited a turtle rescue center on the east coast of Georgia, last summer with my family. I watched rescue center biologists work with the turtles and saw other turtles being rehabilitated in the "swimming pools" too. There were many eye opening exhibits and true stories about the turtle's lives, as well as the struggles and journeys of all turtles. Additionally, my daughter, a marine biologist, worked with horseshoe crabs. Once, she invited me to join their team's work, on a beach in the Chesapeake Bay area of Delaware. I found it very exciting. Lastly, my friend lent me this book so I could learn more about autism. I'm so glad she did. I love it.
The story begins one day while exploring the beach with her mother. Mimi goes off on her own and unexpectedly happens upon a rare, frozen, stranded sea turtle, insisting that her mother take it home. The mother resists, but gives in.
As it is revealed, this turtle is part of a specie called Kemp ridley. The author tells us (in the back pages after the story) that are only seven other species of sea turtles, worldwide, that "sea turtles...roamed the oceans", but now they are nearly extinct. Only "sixty years ago, 40,000 turtle mothers nested each year near Rancho Nuevo [Mexico]. In recent years, that number has dropped below 400..."
The story connects the rarity and importance of this one sea turtle with the preciousness and importance of Mimi.
Read the book to see the outcome of Mimi's rescuing attempts and how the turtle's life affects Mimi's life, longterm. The author has us rooting for and respecting both the turtle and Mimi.
Watch out for the landlord in the story. I believe she is there to emphasize and contrast the idea being short sighted to the idea of recognizing the importance of nurturing and valuing both Mimi and the turtle.
Mimi has autism and this book gives credence to that. It is seen as an aspect of Mimi's life that makes her unique in the same way anyone's different, but unique qualities would.
The watercolor pictures in this book really fit the story.
This book was especially meaningful to me, since I have visited a turtle rescue center on the east coast of Georgia, last summer with my family. I watched rescue center biologists work with the turtles and saw other turtles being rehabilitated in the "swimming pools" too. There were many eye opening exhibits and true stories about the turtle's lives, as well as the struggles and journeys of all turtles. Additionally, my daughter, a marine biologist, worked with horseshoe crabs. Once, she invited me to join their team's work, on a beach in the Chesapeake Bay area of Delaware. I found it very exciting. Lastly, my friend lent me this book so I could learn more about autism. I'm so glad she did. I love it.
December 1, 2023
If you aim to raise your child as a fervent animal rights activists, here's the book for you.
Mimi is just seven years oldi. When she finds a frozen sea turtle outdoors, on the beach, she refuses to let it die. Only later does she discover that particular turtle is one of the rarest animals on earth.
So animal lovers may love this book, along with environmental activists. Another reason why this book will appeal to some readers may be that Mimi is on the autism spectrum.
FIVE STARS for an inspiring story, earnestly told.
Mimi is just seven years oldi. When she finds a frozen sea turtle outdoors, on the beach, she refuses to let it die. Only later does she discover that particular turtle is one of the rarest animals on earth.
So animal lovers may love this book, along with environmental activists. Another reason why this book will appeal to some readers may be that Mimi is on the autism spectrum.
FIVE STARS for an inspiring story, earnestly told.
December 15, 2018
I enjoyed this story, the protagonist, her supportive mother and supportive wildlife rescue people, and the overall message of the book. The illustrations are lovely.
July 5, 2014
I really liked the double meaning in this book. The book is titled “Every Turtle Counts” but it could also be “Every Person Counts.” Mimi never gives up on a frozen turtle she finds on the beach even though adults around her are telling her it’s dead and to get rid of it. Mimi’s caring mom listens to what Mimi is saying and calls the Audubon Society to help. Mimi is autistic and has trouble with people being close to her and also has trouble talking, but the book explains it all in a very kid-friendly way. The illustrations are wonderful and really add to the telling of the story. I like the message in the book about how caring for an animal can help people (disabled or not). Besides the great story, I learned a lot about Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles! I never heard of them before. There is an author’s not in the back of the book to explain about the turtles even more. The migration of the turtles is amazing!
*NOTE I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
*NOTE I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
November 5, 2014
This is a FABULOUS book for children on the autism spectrum. Although it is not explicitly stated, it is clear that the main character of this book is developing at a different pace than her peers, but it is told in such a way as to build empathy for that character and her family. Just because a person may not be acting in a way that is seen as "normal" does not mean that that person does not have feelings or intelligence. A wonderful break from the "norm" of children's literature!
December 7, 2017
(2014) This book touched my heart. It addresses autism without being overt. The main character learns that every turtle and every person is worthy of love and attention in this book, making it a story I would share with students of all ages.
March 27, 2014
based on a true story.
May 6, 2014
Made me cry.
January 18, 2016
Main character, a young girl, has autism. Saves a cold-shocked turtle on the beach.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews