Galapagos George (Hardcover, Ages 4-8)

To the Memory of Jean Craighead George

Who was Jean Craighead George?   If you are a children’s book lover, nature lover or know interesting facts like Newberry Medal Honor winners than you would probably know Jean Craighead George.  Don’t fall into that category?  I think you will be pleasantly surprised to discover her works.  Find out more about Jean at www.jeancraigheadgeorge.com.   

Jean Craighead George (July 2, 1919 – May 15, 2012) loved the environment and grew up around Washington, D.C.  But – wait-

Did anyone catch anything interesting about this book yet?

The author actually passed away in 2012 but this is a brand new book release from HarperCollins Children’s Books.  This is officially George’s last children’s book in a long spanning career that began in 1948.  George has written over one hundred children’s books including her most famous Newbery Medal-winning Julie of the Wolves or the Newberry Honor Book My Side of the Mountain.  Illustrator, Wendell Minor who worked on several books with George, just recently completed his work on Galapagos George and they are breathtaking.  Go back up and look at the cover again.  Lovely.  There are also a few more interesting things that make this book special.

Galapagos (aka ‘Lonesome’) George was a real turtle that author George based this book on in order to teach children about nature and preservation.  Lonesome George passed away at 100 years of age and was the last of the Pinta Island tortoises in the Galapagos Islands.  Interestingly, Lonesome George and Jean Craighead George passed away within weeks of each other in 2012.  This book is a wonderful way to remember Jean Craighead George and a way to celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd.

Galapagos George (Hardcover, Ages 4-8)

www.harperscollinschildrens.com

List Price: $ 11.88 (through Amazon.com)