Review: 10 Reasons to Love a Turtle and 10 Reasons to Love an Elephant

When you think about animals and what you know about them, you could probably make a list of facts.

Things like whether they have two legs or four, feathers or scales, or if they can fly or run really fast.

These two books are from London's Natural History Museum, and each share facts about an animal that make them extra special, perhaps even unique.

There are 10 Reasons to Love a Turtle and 10 Reasons to Love an Elephant.

Did you know, for example, that a sea turtle cries real tears? Or that elephants walk on tip toes?

Both sea turtles and elephants are great gardeners, and I was pleased to discover that by eating seagrass, deep in the ocean, sea turtles are helping to make homes for other animals like seahorses, fish, and crabs.

Each book is beautifully illustrated by Japanese-born artist Hanako Clulow, with wildlife landcapes throughout, a new 'reason' on each new page spread, and labels for all the different flora and fauna included.

The strong covers have a cut out in the shape of the animal, and even the end papers include information and pictures. 

There are carefully labelled drawings of different turtle species at the beginning of 10 Reasons to Love a Turtle, and 10 Reasons to Love an Elephant shows the difference between Asian and African elephants.

A thoughtful addition to the books is the inclusion of five practical tips to 'Show you love an elephant' and 'Show you love  a turtle'.

They are scattered throughout and carefully chosen to encourage care for the environment and ongoing survival of these animals in particular.

Tips like not buying products made from ivory or turtle shell, finding an organisation that will let you adopt an elephant, and eating responsibly caught fish to help protect turtles from getting caught in nets.

10 Reasons to Love a Turtle, and 10 Reasons to Love an Elephant are the first books in a series from Catherine Barr who is a journalist and editor, who has campaigned with Greenpeace.

These books would make wonderful additions to both personal and public libraries.

Title: 10 Reasons to Love a Turtle and 10 Reasons to Love an Elephant
Author: Catherine Barr
Illustrator: Hanako Clulow
Publisher: Frances Lincoln, $18.99
Publication Date: July 2017
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781847809407 and 9781847809438
For ages: 3-6 year olds
Type: Junior non-fiction