A moonlit adventure packed with teamwork, heart, and tiny turtle heroes…
Chapman returns to the moonlit shores of her Grumpy the Iguana series with a story that balances environmental awareness and character-driven storytelling with impressive ease. A midnight beach rescue brings Grumpy the Iguana and his friends back to the shoreline just as dozens of baby sea turtles hatch. When artificial lights send some of the tiny travelers in the wrong direction, the friends must work together to guide them safely to the sea.
Chapman transforms a real conservation challenge into an engaging adventure powered by friendship, quick thinking, and heart. The premise is simple but effective: eighty newly hatched sea turtles are making their way to the ocean when bright streetlights threaten to derail their journey. Rather than allowing the educational message to dominate the narrative, Chapman keeps the focus firmly on her cast of animal friends. Grumpy’s resourcefulness, Little Mouse’s enthusiasm, Mr. Squirrel’s diligence, and Green Parrot’s steady guidance each play a role in the rescue effort, creating a collaborative dynamic that feels organic rather than instructional. Young readers are invited to learn alongside the characters, discovering why hatchlings rely on natural light and how human activity can unintentionally affect wildlife. Natalia Loseva’s illustrations complement the text with soft textures and expressive characters that capture both the excitement of the hatchlings’ emergence and the quiet beauty of the nighttime beach setting. By grounding its environmental themes in friendship and shared responsibility, the book offers more than a lesson about sea turtles: it encourages curiosity, empathy, and thoughtful action.
A fun and entertaining picture book that deserves a place on library shelves serving young readers with an interest in animals, nature, and friendship.
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Gourmet Dog LLC
Pub date July 8, 2021
ISBN 978-1736805602
Price $21.99 (USD) Hardcover
