This story, Turtles in My Sandbox (Sylvan Dell Publishing, 2006) and its associated website, www.terrapinbook.com, is based on real headstart initiatives that enable Maryland students to participate in the raising, research, release, and tagging of the state reptile—the diamondback terrapin.

However, since few hatchlings are available for adoption, it just isn't feasible for every school to participate. Turtles in My Sandbox and www.terrapinbook.com will help expand the concept of headstarting beyond its current boundaries and open this exciting educational endeavor to every child in Maryland as well as surrounding states.

As school-based efforts of recycling have proved, preservation of natural resources comes easily to children when they are taught the basics at an early age. The diamondback terrapin is a beloved and historical animal whose population is declining due to environmental and human factors. It is in need of conservation and stewardship. Elementary school children become excited and encouraged about this idea, particularly when they are shown that they are able to make an important contribution to the species.

Teaching children about protecting hatchlings, and allowing them to interact with other children who have seen the terrapins firsthand, will help them connect to terrapins—and likely, other species with similar needs—in a way that has not traditionally been offered.

Turtles in My Sandbox is an ideal picture book for elementary school students since it provides a motivating literary context that enhances students' understanding of environmental issues as described in the Maryland Voluntary State Curriculum (Goal 6b). After reading the book, students can be encouraged to follow real hatchlings' growth by visiting the interactive lab at www.terrapinbook.com.

Turtles in My Sandbox and www.terrapinbook.com are jointly sponsored by a cooperative of private and public organizations—the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), the Department of Natural Resources, the University of Maryland Biotechnology (UMBI), and author Jennifer Keats Curtis. A portion of the author's royalties benefits the Terrapin Institute.