About The Book

Annapolis, M.D. - Imagine finding turtle eggs in your sandbox! When a young girl finds a mother terrapin has mistakenly laid eggs in her sandbox, she becomes a "turtle sitter" to help the babies safely hatch. The curious child then raises the babies until they are big enough to fend for themselves in the wild and she can release them. Along the way, she learns about these unique animals and that she has made an important contribution to their survival.

This is the premise of a new illustrated children's book, Turtles In My Sandbox (Sylvan Dell Publishing), by author Jennifer Keats Curtis.

The story is based on a popular terrapin headstarting program in which experts gather diamondback terrapin eggs each summer, hatch them, then provide a handful of students with an extraordinary experience that connects them directly with this unique animal. However, few terrapin eggs can be gathered and hatched each year; therefore, it simply isn't feasible for every school to participate in this program.

Fortunately, this book—which is geared to elementary school students—and its website www.terrapinbook.com will help children learn about this amazing reptile and its need for protection and restoration in its natural habitat. The website, whose components include school activities, fun facts, and an interactive lab that creates the first comprehensive database on headstarted terrapins, was funded by a grant from Maryland's Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Website partners include the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, Maryland State Department of Education, and the author. A portion of the book's royalties directly benefits the Terrapin Institute.

Beginning in October, Curtis will begin utilizing the book, website, and a live terrapin as she visits individual classes and schools to help engage and motivate students to learn more about conservation and stewardship of natural resources. She also will address the processes of writing, editing, and publishing upon request.

For more information on the book, visit www.SylvanDellPublishing.com or call Katherine Miller at 877.958.2600. Local schools and organizations can request a visit from the author by visiting www.terrapinbook.com or by sending an email to jcurtis@cablespeed.com.

About the Author: Curtis' first book, Oshus and Shelly Save the Bay, won the Frederick Douglass Award (Maryland Council of Teachers of English Language Arts). The Severn River Association received a portion of the proceeds for oyster recovery initiatives. Besides writing children's books, the Annapolis resident regularly writes for numerous publications, like Maryland Life Magazine, It's Your Life, and Corridor, Inc.

About the Publisher: Sylvan Dell Publishing is on a mission to create picture books that excite children's imaginations, are artistically spectacular and have educational value. Each Sylvan Dell title features a three to five page educational section, For Creative Minds. "Turtles" section includes facts about a terrapin's habitat, diet and nesting process. A turtle craft enables children to make a diamondback terrapin, a loggerhead sea turtle and a desert tortoise.