The Secret Life of a Sea Turtle Perfect Picture Book Friday

Beautifully illustrated, this informational book traces the journey of a sea turtle, from a tiny hatchling to a mother laying eggs of her own.

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text copyright Maddalena Bearzi, 2025, illustrations copyright Alex Boersma, 2025, Roaring Brook Press

If you're looking for a picture book that takes a deep dive into the world of sea turtles, this one is for you! Beginning with eggs hatching in a sandy nest, the author, a marine biologist, photojournalist, and conservationist, traces the life of a single turtle through the adventures--and dangers--she faces throughout the various stages of her life-long journey. Young and old alike will be fascinated by the captivating illustrations and the depth of information presented in this gorgeous book.

I love that THE SECRET LIVE OF A SEA TURTLE doesn't just teach about these incredible creatures--it challenges readers to act to protect them and their environment. The back matter includes five actionable steps readers can take to help protect sea turtles, as well as information about the various sea turtle species, and the impact that environmental factors, such as temperature and artificial light, has on sea turtles. This book would make an excellent resource for classroom units on conservation, life cycles, or studies of animal habitats and behaviors. 

Title:  THE SECRET LIFE OF A SEA TURTLE

Author:  Maddalena Bearzi

Illustrator:  Alex Boersma

Publisher:  Roaring Brook Press, 2025

Ages:  4-8

Themes:  Ocean, Wildlife, Sea Turtles, Life Cycles, Conservation

Here are a few activities that align with the themes of this book:

• ​Look through the list of sea turtle species in the back matter. Choose one species to study. Write a story or poem, incorporating some of the things you learned from your research.
• Read "Five Actions You Can Take to Protect Sea Turtles" in the back matter. Choose one action item to do or put into practice. 
• Choose a phase of a sea turtle's life--a hatchling escaping from her shell, a baby sea turtle catching currents, a young sea turtle munching on seagrass and growing, or a mother sea turtle searching for a place to lay her eggs. Write a story or draw a picture about what the sea turtle experienced in that stage.
• Conversation starters: "What is one interesting fact you learned about sea turtles from this book?" "If you could be any of the species of sea turtles, which one would you be? Why?" 

Looking for more perfect picture books? Check out Susanna Leonard Hill's website!