Honey Girl: The Hawaiian Monk Seal, by Jeanne Walker Harvey, is a wonderfully touching story about a Hawaiian monk seal rescue and rehabilitation. Monk seals are endangered of becoming extinct; they are not seen often on the island because of the low number. Honey Girl, however is a frequent visitor to the North Shore of Oahu. One day she was found injured and near death from starvation. This book recounts her rescue, how they helped her, and what has become of her since. It’s a great story, with a happy ending.

Like other Arbor Dale Publishing books, there are curriculum resources at the end of the book, as well as more activities available online. Reading this book made me miss Hawaii, the beautiful island that it is. The pictures delicately illustrate its beautiful landscape. Learn more about the monk seal and the efforts to conserve them in this wonderful book. It is recommended for ages 4-8 years old.

Moonlight Crab Count, by Dr. Neeti Bathala and Jennifer Keats Curtis, is a very educational children’s story about horseshoe crabs. Leena and her mom volunteer to help count the horseshoe crabs that arrive on their beach each summer. They are citizen scientists. They are part of an effort to help conserve horseshoe crabs. More information is given on how you can become one. The book gives scientific information about horseshoe crabs in an interesting way. Horseshoe crabs have been around since the dinosaurs. They lay eggs on the sand during late spring and summer. They are a strange-looking animal, but are a very important creature. Fisherman use them as bait, their blood is used to test medicines, and young sea turtles and birds eat their eggs. They serve many important purposes.

The book also includes curriculum-use information, as well as a website for addition resources, including interactive quizzes and teaching activities. It contains beautiful illustrations and is a great way to learn more about this fascinating creature. Recommended for ages 4-8 years old.

-Product review by Jen Altman, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, July 2017