Synopsis from Arbordale Publishing:
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 so she can be released back to the ocean. This true story will have readers captivated to learn more about this endangered species.
This work of narrative nonfiction includes a 4-page For Creative Minds section in the back of the book and a 30-page cross-curricular Teaching Activity Guide online. Honey Girl is vetted by experts and designed to encourage parental engagement. Its extensive back matter helps teachers with time-saving lesson ideas, provides extensions for science, math, and social studies units, and uses inquiry-based learning to help build critical thinking skills in young readers. The Spanish translation supports ELL and dual-language programs. The enhanced ebook reads aloud in both English and Spanish with word highlighting and audio speed control to promote oral language skills, fluency, pronunciation, text engagement, and reading comprehension.
About: Honey Girl: The Hawaiian Monk Seal is a non-fiction children’s picture book written by Jeanne Walker Harvey and illustrated by Shennen Bersani. It was released for sale yesterday 2/10/17 by Arbordale Publishing, paperback, 32 pages. This book is intended for kids ages 4-8. Arbordale Publishing’s mission is to inspire the love of reading and improve young children’s science and math skills through picture books. These books will captivate your kids’ minds on your lap, at bedtime, or in the classroom.
My Experience: I started reading Honey Girl: The Hawaiian Monk Seal on 2/10/17 as a bedtime story for my 5 year-old son and we finished it that same night. I love that this book takes place in Hawaii. The pictures are so pretty. I love the coconut trees, the clear ocean water, and the beach in the background. It’s the first time that my son learned about animal doctor, Veterinarian. I’m happy that he gets to learn that there are scientists out there rescuing injured animals. I’m also happy that he is exposed to endangered animals at a young age. One thing he didn’t like was learning the life cycle about Hawaiian Monk Seal. The facts makes him sad because after the baby seal turns 6 weeks old, the mom leave the baby to fend for him/herself. He was relating himself to the seal and he doesn’t want to be left alone. Of course I told him I will never leave him.
The story in this book is interesting to read. I like that the author raise the topics of endangered animals and scientists are keeping their eyes on them. I like that there are doctors rescuing injured animals and taking care of them until they are strong enough to go back into the ocean. I didn’t know that baby seals are called pups and of course, the facts about Hawaiian Monk Seals at the back of the book are very good knowledge. This book deserve multiple readings and I highly recommend all parents to read for their kids!
Pro: veterinarians, rescue, scientist, endangered, illustrations, Hawaii, facts about Hawaiian Monk Seal
Con: none
I rate it 5 stars!
Grab yourself a copy here: Arbordale Website or Book Depository
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. Visit her website at www.jeanneharvey.com (Info obtained from Arbordale Publishing website).
More Information about Arbordale Publishing:
Phone: 877-243-3457 | Fax: 843-216-3457 | Email: info@arbordalepublishing.com | Web: http://www.arbordalepublishing.com | Hardcover, Paperback, Spanish Paperback, and downloadable ebooks are available.
***Disclaimer: Many thanks to Arbordale Publishing for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
xoxo,
Jasmine
How Useful It Is 
Great review! I love that your son learned about veterinarians. Did he make any connections about to what he learned with the Sashi books? I know I thought that Vets only saw larger animals (like in the zoo) for the longest time…
This book is really cute. I’m glad you enjoyed it! I love the fact that there are additional educational resources involved with this book. That’s great!
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He didn’t mentioned about the Sashi books when we read this book. Books published by Arbordale Publishing has the educational activities/facts at the end of each book. They also have some exercise activities online. I haven’t taken advantage of that yet but they are definitely great for young minds ready to absorb all knowledge haha..
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That’s a cool feature from the publishing company. I hope that both parents and educators take advantage of those additional resources. I love educational fiction.
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Definitely makes learning experience far more active and fun. We need as much of that as we can since homework & study often feels more like a chore than fun 😂
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