About the Shelley Series
Follow the adventures of Shelley, a loggerhead sea turtle, beginning with her very first stream of consciousness as she begins to emerge from her egg. The first book in the series, "Bravery: A Baby Sea Turtle's First Adventure" is Shelley's birth story, told from her perspective.
The book chronicles the steps taken, and emotions felt, to get her successfully from deep within her nest, under the sand, to the ocean. It is a factual depiction of the hatching process and aims to not only educate children, but instill values such as bravery, teamwork, simultaneously managing mixed emotions, perseverance, and gratitude.
The second book in the series, "Curiosity: A Young Sea Turtle's Adventures" explores some of the adventures that a sea turtle might experience over the first 10-15 years of their life. These adventures include Shelley making friends with other sea animals, avoiding plastics that are polluting our oceans, and enduring a health crisis that causes her to be admitted to a sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation facility. The book aims to teach children valuable life lessons they can use themselves by following Shelley's adventures - curiosity, making friends, looking out for others, and prioritizing their own needs and safety.
**This conservation work for protected sea turtles at #KBSTRRC and on Topsail Island is authorized by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, ES Permit 24ST05.
Bravery foreword provided by Kathy Zagzebski, Executive Director of The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center.
Bec hopes to inspire children all over the world to be brave and curious, aided by the memory of this endearing story.
Reading level: 7-9 year olds
Meet the Author
Bec Martin currently enjoys spending her days as a preschool teacher, children’s book author, wife, mother to two grown children and one Sheepadoodle, and sea turtle advocate.
Bec has volunteered with the Topsail Turtle Project and The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Surf City, North Carolina.
She has loved anything related to sea turtles since she was a young girl, even nicknaming one of her older brothers, “Sea Turtle”, receiving frequent rides on his back. She also enjoys reading, gardening, traveling, and spending time with her amazing group of supportive friends.
Meet the Illustrator
After retiring in 2019, from 30 years in IT sales in the Washington DC area, Lisa T. Myers went back to her roots and passion for creating art. Mostly self-taught, she has taken numerous workshops from both local and internationally known artists. Her body of work includes watercolor and ink, acrylics, mixed media and collage. Her works have won numerous awards.
She does commission work, has illustrated four children’s books, and is a member of the Art League of Leland, the Wilmington Art Association, and resides on the Board of the Wildlife Artists of the Carolinas.
Lisa paints in a way to express her joy in the colorful world we live in.
To learn more about Lisa’s work, visit her website here or follow along on her Instagram.
“It takes bravery to write a book, and Bec Martin is definitely brave. In “Bravery: A Baby Sea Turtle’s First Adventure,” Bec imagines what a hatchling turtle might experience as they make their way from the egg, through the nest, across the sand, and to the ocean. Her engaging imagery of the journey is both realistic and creative. I encourage everybody to read, to imagine, and to find their inner bravery!”
-Kathy Zagzebski, Executive Director of The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center
A FEW THINGS I COULDN’T LIVE WITHOUT, BY THE AUTHOR
Shout out to my friend and fellow author, Noelle Salazar, for some of my favorite historical fiction reads and my sidekick, @sophie_thesheepadoodle.
Interview the Author 🐢
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"I have loved sea turtles ever since I was a little girl and was so excited to start volunteering with the Topsail Turtle Project, as a beach walker, when I quit working in the corporate world and had a more flexible schedule. Being fortunate enough to observe several sea turtle nests hatch, I started wondering what the experience was like for the tiny hatchlings. I imagine the majority of their early actions are instinctual, but I like to imagine the emotions they “might” be feeling."
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"I had absolutely no idea how to get the manuscript from the blog post format it originated as into a physical book! Getting started was the hardest part. Fortunately, everything is a Google search away! I am also blessed to have an author friend who expertly guided me through much of the process. Thank you to J.M. Wallace!
Pro Tip: don’t be afraid to ask for advice and guidance."
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"Definitely seeing the finished product!! I also love getting pictures of children holding my book, or having it read to them by somebody they love."
Want to read Bec’s featured interview with Shoutout North Carolina for more details? ✨
Shop Bravery on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop.org!
Hardcovers available where books are sold. Paperbacks available on Amazon.