SYNOPSIS
HONEY GIRL: THE HAWAIIAN MONK SEAL
Written by Jeanne Walker Harvey
Illustrated by Shennen Bersani
Publisher’s Synopsis: Hawaiian locals and visitors always enjoy spotting endangered Hawaiian monk seals, but Honey Girl is an extra special case. She has raised seven pups, and scientists call her Super Mom. After Honey Girl is injured by a fishhook, she gets very sick. Scientists and veterinarians work to save Honey Girl until she can be released back to her beach. This true story will have readers captivated to learn more about this endangered species.
Ages 5-8 | Publisher: Arbordale Publishing | February 10, 2017 | ISBN-13: 978-1628559224
Available Here:
Barnes and Noble
REVIEW
Have you ever been to the beach and watched the sea life? Perhaps you've been to an aquarium or a park like Sea World and seen the animals there. In Hawaii, residents and tourists can observe the Hawaiian monk seals come up onto the beach to raise their pups each year. The most famous of these seals is Honey Girl, and this book tells her story.
The themes of conservation, protection of endangered wildlife, and man's impact on the environment are present in the book, but they are more of a subtext and do not detract from the main events. Everyone's efforts to save Honey Girl - the surfers who first reported sighting her in danger, the marine mammal experts who found her, those who were part of the teams that provided health care and rehabilitation - are all included in the narrative.
The illustrations transport readers to the islands with scenes of beautiful blue ocean, colorful fish and tropical clothing. Honey Girl is featured in every spread, but there are also sea birds, turtles, fish, whales and coral to show her habitat. The people at the beach are depicted in a variety of activities like kite surfing, paddle boarding, and sailing.
Extra information in the back matter explains the life cycle of Hawaiian monk seals, fun facts about them, and about conservation efforts. An inset map shows the locations that scientists know Honey Girl visited after her rescue (due to the tracker she wore). There is even an activity that asks readers to sequence the events in the story.
Readers who enjoy narrative nonfiction, especially animal stories in that genre (think Winter's Tale or Bella and Tarra), will have a new favorite in Honey Girl. Great for elementary school classrooms and libraries.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jeanne Walker Harvey is the author of several award-winning books, including Astro: The Steller Sea Lion and My Hands Sing the Blues: Romare Bearden’s Childhood Journey. She’s been a language arts teacher and currently gives school tours at a local museum. Jeanne lives near the Golden Gate Bridge in California and walks by the bay every day looking for sea lions. She writes with her gray tabby cat sitting on the desk next to her.
OFFICIAL LINKS
GIVEAWAY
To Celebrate The Release Of Honey Girl: The Hawaiian Monk Seal, Enter To Win A 2 Book Autographed Prize Pack From Award-Winning Author Jeanne Walker Harvey, Plus 2 Plush Animals.
One (1) grand prize winner receives:
- A copy of Honey Girl: The Hawaiian Monk Seal, autographed by Jeanne Walker Harvey
- A copy of Astro: The Steller Sea Lion, autographed by Jeanne Walker Harvey
- Two (2) plush toy animals
Age Range: 5-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Giveaway begins February 22, 2017, at 12:01 A.M. MT and ends March 22, 2017, at 11:59 P.M. MT.
Giveaway open to US addresses only.
Prizes and samples provided by Jeanne Walker Harvey.
BOOK TRAILER
This post was created in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Jeanne Walker Harvey for the Honey Girl Blog Tour & Giveaway.
Thank you Suzanne for the lovely review of HONEY GIRL. Yes, I agree that Shennen's illustrations transport the reader -- I almost can feel the soft fragrant breezes of Oahu. I very much enjoyed writing this book and sharing the story of not only Honey Girl, but also the story of all the amazing volunteers in Oahu, particularly those connected with MonkSeal Mania, but also those at the Marine Mammal Center that has established the first rehabilitation center for Hawaiian monk seals (Ke Kai Ola in Kona). Mahalo!
ReplyDeleteJeanne - I really enjoyed the book and I know my students will. They love true stories about animals and people helping each other.
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