Astro: The Steller Sea Lion

by Shennen Bersani, Jeanne Walker Harvey

Overview

Astro is a stellar Steller sea lion! Only a few days old when found orphaned, he is cared for and raised at The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California. When big enough to be released to the wild where he needs to be, he has other plans! Just like a lost dog finding his way home, Astro keeps swimming back towards the Center, crossing miles of open ocean water to do so. After several attempts, people realize that Astro is too accustomed to humans and will just keep coming back. Based on real events, readers follow Astro through some of his travels that have now taken him across the U.S. to his current home at the Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940045518710
Publisher:	Arbordale Publishing
Publication date:	04/17/2013
Series:	Astro: The Steller Sea Lion , #1
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	15 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 9 Years

About the Author

Jeanne Walker Harvey has been a long timemember of SCBWI with publications in Writer's Digest, Cricket Magazine, Nation’s Business, SCBWI's ACORN, Creativity Connection, Parent's Expecting and Teachers of Vision, including articles pertaining to nature and marine animals. Currently, she teaches Language Arts and a Writing Workshop at her local public middle school. In addition to Astro: The Steller Sea Lion for Sylvan Dell, Jeanne has also written My Hands Sing the Blues, a story about Romare Bearden. Growing up in Orange County, California, she was always fascinated by the ocean and marine mammals. She lives in Marin County, California, with her husband and two teenage sons and a black lab who sits at her feet when she writes.

Award-winning children’s book illustrator Shennen Bersani has two million copies of her illustrated books cherished and read by families throughout the world. She has been a freelance illustrator since 1989. She works primarily with colored pencils, sometimes using a mixed-media technique of colored pencils, crayon, and paint. Her art delivers a unique blend of realism, heartfelt emotion, love of nature, and life lessons for children of all ages. In addition to Sea Slime: It’s Eeuwy, Gooey and Under the Sea; The Shape Families Babies; Animal Partners; Shark Baby; Home in the Cave; The Glaciers are Melting!, and Astro: The Steller Sea Lion for Sylvan Dell, Shennen has illustrated a number of best-selling books, including, Snakes: Long, Longer, Longest; Sharks: Big, Bigger, Biggest; Ocean Counting: Odd Numbers; Icky Bug Shapes; and My Sister, Alicia May. Shennen lives with her family near Boston

Editorial Reviews

Gr 1–3—While practicing for the upcoming agility show, Cody notices a lump on his dog's belly, which turns out to be cancer. The treatment is similar to what a human endures, and Cody is filled with worry for his pet. Champ is able to participate in the show, but it is Cody who has trouble when he trips and hurts his ankle. Now it's Champ's turn to take care of Cody, and she proves she is a real champion. Children will have empathy for both characters. The book includes extensive curriculum-related back matter that will assist teachers and parents as they share this title with kids who have similar concerns, and the publisher's website has additional resources. A sincere, caring story told with a straightforward, honest approach.—Helen Foster James, University of California at San Diego

School Library Journal