Comment from Cindy Decker

Exceptional

Sandra
I love this and all the alphabet installments I've read so far. You are so talented! I'll bet your family love the entire book. I will try to read as many more installments as I can.
It was so bittersweet reading about turtles, etc..
I hope man saves them from extinction.
Fantastic prose.
Blessings,
Cindy

 Comment Written 30-Aug-2020

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reply by the author on 31-Aug-2020

Aw, I'm so pleased, it was one of my favourites to research. I don't know if you read, J for jellyfish, now that was totally amazing, and one the kids are going to love. Thank you, Cindy, I just wish you were paid for this one. Thank you so much for the six stars, you're a lovely lady. :)) Sandra xx

reply by Cindy Decker on 31-Aug-2020

Sandra, I don?t mind not being paid for a review. Lol.
I do intend to read your whole series, but I signed up for too many projects, and I?m under a little pressure to get them all done. Have a wonderful week. (It?s only Monday, don?t let it defeat you!)😊

reply by the author on 31-Aug-2020

Life is always happening, Cindy, and we must bow to it. One day we won't be able to. Just take care, my friend, and don't burn yourself out. :)) xxx

reply by Cindy Decker on 31-Aug-2020

I will take time to read them, Sandra. I feel I can do my part in helping save animals by talking about it to other people what I?ve learned from you.
😊 🐾🐾

reply by the author on 31-Aug-2020

Aww, bless your lovely heart! :)) xx

Comment from Roxanna Andrews

Excellent

We had tortoise on the desert where I grew up. We would make them pets but eventually let them go. We have Sea Turtles here in Florida and I have seen many terrapin here as well. The giant tortoises are the most amazing. This will be a fun book. Thanks for sharing. Rox

 Comment Written 14-Aug-2020

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reply by the author on 14-Aug-2020

Hi Rox, I've just been over to your front page to see when you came back! I'm glad you're here again, my friend. Thank you for reading this one, it's taken twenty weeks to get this far, (it took ages to work that out!! Lol) only 6 left to do. Sending you a warm hug, my friend. :)) Sandra xx

Comment from rspoet

Exceptional

Hello Sandra,
Another wonderful chapter for the book. You get three for one with the turtle.
I used to catch box turtles when younger, and some terrapins, but the water turtles were quick to depart when anyone approached. Box turtles were slow, so it was no great accomplishment get one. I left the tortoises to Samson and Hercules.
We just watched an interesting doc. on the sea large turtles, including the Leatherback.
Loved your informative poem about the turtles and all the notes and pictures.
This should be an essential book for kids when it's complete.
Great art works too!
Best wishes.
Robert

 Comment Written 14-Aug-2020

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reply by the author on 14-Aug-2020

I wondered what you meant for a moment about Samson and Hercules, lol, I'm getting slow in my old age. I had no idea they grew to such a size. It's sad that the Galapagos turtles are all gone, but I've just read that the scientists have found more turtles on other islands that are large, but not quite as large a Lonesome George, but they have the same DNA. What they plan to do now, I have no idea, but they finished by saying there is a chance that all might not be lost. That would be wonderful.
Thank you so much for your lovely review, Robert, and the wonderful six stars. I've just told Graham about that documentary you've both been watching, and he's going to see if he can find it on ours. I'm glad you enjoyed this one, now to finish the letter, U. :)) Have a lovely day, my friend. Sandra xx

Comment from Jasmine Girl

Excellent

This is very educational and I have learnt a lot about turtles. About two years ago, my husband and I traveled to Costa Rica. Turtles go to beaches there to lay eggs. We were in March which was not the season but we did see a Ridley turtle nesting after following a guide in the dark for two hours. It was worth it.

 Comment Written 13-Aug-2020

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reply by the author on 14-Aug-2020

Thank you so much, Lisa, for reading my letter T and the lovely review. I can quite imagine the thrill of seeing that turtle lay her eggs. We don't have them in England, unfortunately. I'm even happier that I chose the turtle now. Thanks, again. :)) Sandra xx

Comment from Steven Hicks

Excellent

What a wonderful undertaking, I can see this being used by my youngest grandchildren all the way up to my oldest grandchildren. For a fact one of the best layouts for this type of thing I've seen lately.

 Comment Written 13-Aug-2020

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reply by the author on 13-Aug-2020

What a lovely compliment, Steven, thank you so very much. I hope this book, once I have finished it, will encourage youngsters to want to learn more about our wonderful animals, and care for them. I'm delighted you enjoyed reading it. Thank you! :)) Sandra xx

Comment from alexisleech

Exceptional

As always, you have managed to educate and inform without being boring in any way, shape, or form. Poor old Lonesome George, and how sad that he turned out to be the last of his species. We humans have a lot to answer for, in more ways than one. Well, at least the skies are healthier thanks to the Corona virus - long may it continue - not the virus, the fact that we're not polluting the world as much as we were before!!!

Alexis xxx

 Comment Written 13-Aug-2020

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reply by the author on 13-Aug-2020

Aww, thank you so much, Alexis, for such a nice review and all the shiny stars. You are so sweet! It would be good if flights could be curbed to give our planet a chance to heal. Sending you a hug, my friend. :)) Sandra xx

Comment from LisaMay

Exceptional

That is so sad about Lonesome George. Man's capacity to ravage wildlife stocks is criminal - to think there once used to be so many turtles.
Your poem and assorted information is really well written and researched.
I once had the privilege of swimming above a green sea turtle in Queensland, Australian Barrier Reef - unforgettable experience.

 Comment Written 12-Aug-2020

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reply by the author on 13-Aug-2020

Hello, Lisa May, thank you so much for your lovely review and for the shiny six stars! I'm as green as the green turtle with envy that you were able to swim with them. What an experience that must have been! We don't have turtles in the UK's oceans or seas. :( You are so lucky. You must write about it. Have a lovely day, my friend. :)) Sandra xxx

reply by LisaMay on 13-Aug-2020

Hi Sandra. i wrote about the turtle shortly after my visit to Queensland last year. It's called "My Time With A Turtle". You can find the poem at;
www.fanstory.com/displaystory.jsp?id=944436

Comment from The Reverend Dr Gonzo

Exceptional

Sandra, this was beautiful. Not only is the genesis of the story pure - you're doing it for your grandson, but it successfully carries the burden of storytelling with the mix of facts and emotion. I'm still sad about Lonesome George and this is the first I'd ever heard about him.

Do you plan on illustrating it in any way, such as drawing pictures or using similar photos as you used above? I've written a couple of picture books now and finding an illustrator in my part of the world was TERRIBLE. I know whatever path you choose, your grandson will love it.

 Comment Written 12-Aug-2020

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reply by the author on 13-Aug-2020

I was sad about Lonesome George, too. They tried to mate him with a smaller one from one of the other islands nearby, but apart from once, which failed, he wasn't interested. Thank you so much for this lovely review, and the six stars, Reverend Dr Gonzo, I really appreciate your kind words. Have a lovely day, my friend. :)) Sandra xx

The illustrations I've put on here are ones that come from a site called, Pixabay.com. You can use them free of charge, and commercially. Those I couldn't find, I bought from a site called, canstockphoto.co.uk. They have some lovely pictures, very professional, and very cheap, from $5. Both those sites do cartoon, and photo illustrations. In fact, I've used them for my book covers. What I liked about both sites, you can alter them to look the way you want them, and add words, titles, whatever.
I used an illustrator from one of our own, Fanart. But, I couldn't afford her again, it cost me over £3,500. ($4.600+) I didn't sell enough to get my money back.
This book, when it's finished, will have the 26 letters of the alphabet, with at least 3 pictures to illustrate each one. Have a look at those sites, you'll be impressed. :)) xx

Comment from Margaret Bednar

Excellent

Yes, well penned. I was beachside not long ago, next to a sectioned off area were turtle eggs were buried. I'd love to watch them hatch and advance into the sea someday. But for now, will have to enjoy it through a google search. Sweet drawing!

 Comment Written 12-Aug-2020

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reply by the author on 13-Aug-2020

Thank you, Margaret, for reading this one. I'm so glad they section off that area, so many die before they reach the sea without us tramping all over them. I believe they normally make that trip at night when there is less likelihood of predators getting at them. Perhaps you can stay up for a few nights? :) Have a lovely day, my friend. :)) Sandra xx

Comment from Bill Schott

Exceptional

I see the turtle comes ashore here. Your usual cute drawing, delightful poem, neat inset pictures, and interesting research make your Animal Alphabet a must read.

 Comment Written 12-Aug-2020

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reply by the author on 12-Aug-2020

Thank you so much, Bill! Not many left to do now. Thank you for the lovely six stars, my friend, and you kind words. It's so nice having you along with each letter. Have a lovely day! :)) Sandra xx