Book will educate, entertain and aid NSRI

PUBLISHER and children’s author BD Harris, with creative illustrator Megan Bird, bring you The Brave Turtle, a chapter book designed to educate and entertain children with an adventure story of family, bravery and a great respect for our country’s wild waters.

Profits from the sale of this book will be donated to the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) to extend its water safety and drowning prevention programmes.

Having collaborated with the NSRI for this innovative fund-raising and awareness initiative over a number of months, the intention was to bring to life a book that would illustrate the power and magic of the ocean and its creatures. In addition, the Two Oceans Aquarium has assisted with valuable information on the plight of our turtles.

This is beautifully illustrated story that will grip readers of all ages.

Imagine what could happen if it just kept raining and raining and the water rose and rose.

For our heroine Sam, who late one night rolls off her bed to find her room flooded, this is the beginning of an adventure.

The whole house is filling up with water, not just her room, as the world outside floods.

A confused and cold Sam is rescued by a wise, little turtle called Neville, who takes her along the beautiful underwater highway and teaches her the ways of this watery world.

“Water isn’t cruel or kind, but if you manage to keep your head, then the water will keep you,’” Neville repeats to Sam through their epic adventure across the newly-formed oceans.

They meet all sorts of interesting creatures while on a quest to find and rescue Sam’s parents.

The adventure introduces delightful characters. Apart from Neville the turtle (who grows magically), we are introduced to a penguin which is scared of water, a grumpy baboon, a blue whale and bluebottles.

Floating on driftwood, upturned cars and general flotsam, humans and sea creatures work together to search and save those lost in the floods.

This is a wonderful story that carries many underlying messages, the main one being to “keep calm” in the water. As one young preview reader noted, it is a memorable story. “A delightful tale of friendship in this magical oceanic adventure.

The illustrations are beautiful and the words weave their way into your heart. They recognise bravery, friendship and forgiveness in three unforgettable characters. Perfect for together bedtime reading.”

NSRI spokesman Andrew Ingram said: “The Brave Turtle is a wonderful story that will pull both adults and children into the beautiful illustrations.

“You will become part of the adventure that Sam and Neville have and soon grasp that there are a number of subtly presented life lessons in the book – breathe deeply and stay calm, think before you do something and work together, don’t rush into danger without a plan.

“These are all thoughts that sea rescue crew keep in mind when they respond to an emergency and are just as relevant to this story.

The book will be launched at The Book Lounge, with author BD Harris and illustrator Megan Bird, today at 11am with a reading and live drawing workshop.

The theme is “under the sea” and there will be guest appearances from NSRI crew and staff who inspired the book.

If you love the book then by buying a Brave Turtle soft toy you can further assist NSRI.

Made of African tshwe-tshwe fabric, the toy has a heart made from recycled wetsuits worn by the NSRI crew. – www. searescue.org.za