A Place for Turtles, written by Melissa Stewart and illustrated by Higgins Bond. Peachtree, Fitzhenry & Whiteside. 2019. $7.95 ages 6 and up

"Because plastic bags look
like jellyfish, sea turtles
sometimes eat them by
mistake. The plastic can
clog the turtle's stomach,
causing it to starve to death.

When people stop using
plastic shopping bags, turtles
can live and grow."

Kids love learning about animals; in this book, that learning begins with the endpapers where range maps are shown for 12 species. Each turn of the page shows the beauty of their habitats and provides accessible information about the species presented. A sidebar adds further data concerning turtles, and shares some of the many problems turtles face in the natural world.

Those double-page spread introduce the turtles from the endpapers, and one of the problems it has faced. Ms. Stewart  explains what is being done to alleviate the many dangers. She offers simple solutions when appropriate; some are more complicated and immediately needed. All spark interest and offer positive solutions that can be addressed to provide better environments for turtles.

"LEATHERBACK TURTLE

In the mid-1980s, stores across
North America switched
from paper shopping bags to
plastic ones. Because plastic
never breaks down, millions
of shopping bags have ended
up in the ocean where they
can harm leatherback turtles.
Today many families bring their
own reusable cloth bags to the
grocery store. Small changes
like this can help save sea turtles."

Detailed acrylic illustrations will certainly attract readers to the beauty of the environments, and to the fact that children can make a difference. This helps each of us understand the need to do what we can to ensure that turtles thrive in the natural world. A list of ideas for helping is included on the final spread.

Back matter includes further facts about turtles, selected sources, and a list of recommended reading for those who want to know more.

Other books in the A Place For ... series include bats, birds, butterflies, fish and frogs. Written and illustrated by a sensitive and informed collaborative team, this is an excellent series for classrooms and budding naturalists.