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This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Kathleen Welton. All opinions are my own.
Book Information
The Magic Sea Turtle
Written by Kathleen Welton Illustrated by Chau Pham Ages 3+ | 32 Pages Publisher: Bookfox Press | ISBN-13: 978-1960157515 Publisher’s Book Summary: Once upon a time, Myrtle chased her dreams–dreams of being a queen with a crown that sparkled like the moon. One day, she tumbles down, down, down into the sea. Max helps rescue her and a magic carpet flies her to a place even more amazing than her sandcastle dreams and she discovers an entire ocean of possibilities! There are dolphins who welcome her and a friendly otter with the biggest smile. They can teach her to swim and enjoy the day. Another magical glow surrounds Myrtle when she decides to stay and wishes to be a sea turtle like Max. And guess what? Myrtle’s fall may have been unexpected, but thanks to a touch of magic, it leads her to a place where her wishes come true. Myrtle becomes a queen AND a magic sea turtle too, ready for incredible adventures! Myrtle the Turtle learns that being a queen means having the best friends ever. And with her sparkly crown and a heart full of joy, she is the happiest queen the whole ocean has ever seen! Author iNterview
I'm excited to share my interview with Kathleen Welton. She advocates for beaches, birds, and wildlife; is an award-winning independent publisher; and writes picture books and screenplays. She began her book publishing career as a college textbook sales rep. Since then, she has served as senior editor for Dow Jones-Irwin, publisher for Dearborn Trade, vice president and publisher for IDG Books, director for H&R Block, and director of book publishing for the American Bar Association. As a book producer at aka Associates, she collaborates with authors and organizations on publishing projects.She earned a BA in both English and Italian Literature from Stanford University as well as a Certificate in Feature Film Writing with distinction from UCLA Extension. When she is not writing, Kathleen enjoys meditating, reading, and exploring the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Learn more about Kathleen at kathywelton.com.
Where did you get the inspiration for The Magic Sea Turtle?
I am just a girl who loves turtles. The end. I grew up close to the beaches in Southern California. The ocean as well as rivers and lakes has always been my favorite place. As such, I support sustainability initiatives connected to beaches, birds, and wildlife. Sea turtles are one such creature that I have long admired. I am fascinated by the myths and stories about them including the story of Turtle Island which according to some is a name for Earth or North America, used by some American Indigenous peoples, as well as by others. Myrtle is a 500-pound sea turtle who has lived at the New England Aquarium in Boston for more than 50 years. She is thought to be in her nineties and she is expected to live for a few years. I have a coffee mug with her outline etched on my desk. So her spirit was beside me when I wrote my book. I wanted to write a picture book that would celebrate these creatures for what they have given us. In addition, I am grateful to be able to live near Lake Michigan. And I am grateful where my publishing has landed me—going from an editor and publisher to a writer. Sometimes where you end up turns out to be better than where you first started life. What was your writing process like for this book? First off, over the past few years, I focused on learning everything that I could about being a writer including online courses, reading lots of picture books, and reading lots of books about how to write. It wasn’t until a few years ago, that I really had the confidence to tell my own stories. A few writing colleagues and a good friend pushed me to take the plunge. I chose a middle ground between publishing the books myself and finding an agent and went the” hybrid” publishing route. Those decisions have made all the difference in taking the next steps. Questions that I asked myself included what kind of picture books did I want to write? How many pages? I love animated movies such as “The Lion King” where the animals are the story tellers and wanted to have them be the ones that teach us lessons. So I used animals I love—from birds and horses to lions and tigers and bears to get the words and concepts come to life. As a project management type, I like to use templates as well as value feedback from other readers and editors. Choosing those people carefully made all the difference to me. They not only gave me essential encouragement and believed in me but also fabulous ideas for illustrations and how to make everything come together. I could not be happier with all the choices that I made and the journey that I am on. What is your favorite part about writing books for kids? I have been extremely lucky to find wonderful picture book pros to work with and am grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with amazing editors and illustrators on my debut picture books! Having served as a book publishing professional for many years, it has been a dream come true to enter the wonderful world of picture books. My wish is that my books help to spark a love of reading and lifelong literacy. What are you working on now? I have two books ready for publication in 2024— “Choo! Choo! Choo! The Train at the Zoo” (September 2024) which was inspired by one of my favorite places—the Lincoln Park Zoo. In “Pigs Have Wings,” (June 2024) Miz Pig dreams she can dance and sing, but it's harder for a pig than you'd think! With a little help and inspiration from her friends, Miz Pig finds she can do almost anything! The second book in the Myrtle the Turtle series in the works for publication in 2025. In addition, there are a few other picture books either in process or on the drawing board. Animals are the real storytellers in my picture books. They inspire my imagination with their beauty, bravery, and wisdom. What is your favorite book? I discovered “Giraffes Can’t Dance” by Giles Andreae (Author), Guy Parker-Rees (Illustrator) many years ago and fell in love with this picture book first for Gerald the adorable giraffe. It remains a gold star example for me of the perfect classic combination of text and illustrations that seem to dance together just like the main character. Giveaway
Enter the giveaway for a chance to win a copy of The Magic Sea Turtle, a plushy of Myrtle, and a Baby Turtle Adoption from seeturtles.org.
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