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Coral Reefs are Worth Protecting
Sammy and Scarlett’s Coral Reef Adventure follows two fish who wish to swim to the barrier reef in the Flordia Keys who befriend a turtle along the way. What was the inspiration for your story?
The inspiration for the book Sammy and Scarlett’s Coral Reef Adventure was seeing a tiny sergeant major fish darting about in a sun lit tidal pool in the Florida Keys. For reasons unknown even to me at the time, I turned to my fiancé Stephanie and said “check out Sammy the Sergeant Major down there” as I pointed into the tidal pool. There were many other inhabitants in this mini ecosystem including a tiny yellow tailed snapper fish which was quickly given the name Scarlett. I have loved the natural world since childhood. As an adult, this fascination included scuba diving and snorkeling over coral reefs in Florida, the Bahamas and Caribbean among other global locations. I have seen juveniles of both species first hand hiding in the roots of mangrove trees. As an avid diver I have also seen adult sergeant major and yellow tailed snapper over coral reefs in numbers beyond counting. As I watched the two baby fish in the tidal pool, I thought, here is a story worth telling.
The art in this book is fantastic; readers are transported to life under the water in a way that they feel like they are part of the story. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Mary Wentzel?
Mary Wentzel is an extraordinarily gifted, award-winning artist. I had seen some of her wonderful work and knew that she was certainly a person with the requisite skill sets. We set up an in person meeting so that she my fiancé Stephanie Casimiro (who would be handling marketing for the books) I could get to know each other. The creative chemistry was nearly instantaneous. Mary read the first manuscript, did one trial sketch which was awesome and it was game on. We did not have rigid rules of collaboration for the development of the artwork other than “have fun with it”. Mary’s stunning artwork flows perfectly throughout the book with her vivid, one of a kind original images helping to tell the tale of Sammy and Scarlett’s Coral Reef Adventure.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
The primary foundational goal of Sammy and Scarlett’s Coral Reef Adventure is to factually accurately depict how a coral reef and its myriad of inhabitants, coexist in one of the most amazing ecosystems on earth. The storyline was based upon my firsthand observations while diving and snorkeling over the decades. Inspiration for artistic images of the natural world were gleaned from many sources including our undersea photos. Great effort was made to be educationally accurate. Coral reefs are places that children need to learn are worth protecting for their benefit and for the benefit of generations yet to come. These are eco-systems worth saving.
Do you have more adventures planned for Sammy and Scalett in the future? If so, when can your fans expect the next story, and where will it take them?
That is an excellent question, thank you. Fans may be interested in knowing that Sammy and Scarlett’s Coral Reef Adventure is actually a sequel to the previously published Sammy and Scarlett’s Mangrove Adventure. To your question, I do have another manuscript in the very early stages of development for Sammy and Scarlett. More to come on that soon.
Recently, I have been busy wrapping up my fourth children’s book entitled Kiki and Slugger’s Magic Spring Adventure which is due out this fall. This is a very fun story also set in the iconic Florida Keys, which features the vivid interpretations of the natural world around us by the highly talented artist Mary Wentzel. Our fans will not be disappointed!
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Along the way, they make a new friend, a hawksbill sea turtle named Howie. Howie is a kind sea turtle who gives the young fish the guidance they need to get where they’re going and stay safe. The three quickly become fast friends and learn that they can trust one another through thick and thin. Howie protects the little fish from predators, and in return they help keep the turtle safe from the dangers of human litter such as plastic bags.
Join Sammy, Scarlett, and new friend Howie as their epic journey continues through the magnificent Florida Keys.
Sammy & Scarlett’s Coral Reef Adventure
The coral reef is a truly amazing place, and Sammy and Scarlett are just beginning to discover how special it is. Sammy, a sergeant major, and Scarlett, a yellowtail snapper, have been prepared for this journey by Manny the Mangrove. He has provided them with all the instructions necessary to guide them to the barrier reef. As they travel, the two encounter Howie, a sea turtle who offers to escort the pair while providing some much-needed advice on how to stay safe in the vast ocean. Howie not only shows Sammy and Scarlett the ways of the water, but he opens up a whole new world full of beauty and wonder.
Sammy and Scarlett’s Coral Reef Adventure, written by Robert Andrew Provan and illustrated by Mary Wentzel, is a beautifully illustrated children’s book that tells the story of a fantastic journey undertaken by two fish bound to reach the barrier reef and begin their lives anew. Provan’s book is an exceptional one for young readers as it offers them both an engaging storyline complete with suspense while at the same time handing them a long list of facts about ocean life disguised neatly within a narrative.
To say this is a beautifully illustrated book is really an understatement. Wentzel depicts one of the most stunning places on Earth in what can only be described as equally breathtaking illustrations. I found myself examining the phenomenal detail in every picture as I explored along with Sammy and Scarlett. Each page brings a new and intricate representation of the plants and animals that inhabit the coral reef.
Sammy and Scarlett’s Coral Reef Adventure, written by Robert Andrew Provan and illustrated by Mary Wentzel, is a lovingly-crafted children’s picture book that would make an excellent gift for an elementary-aged reader interested in ocean life. I highly recommend the team of Provan and Wentzel to any parent or educator.
Pages: 46 | ASIN : B0C6LSXHLQ
LITERARY TITAN 