Tracking Tortoises: The Mission to Save a Galápagos Giant by Kate Messner and Jake Messner - ESSENTIAL

Tracking Tortoises: The Mission to Save a Galápagos Giant by Kate Messner, photography by Jake Messner NON-FICTION Millbrook (Lerner) 2022 $35.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

The Galápagos Islands are the home to the endangered Giant Tortoise. Conservation efforts are helping, but climate change, residents who live on and farm the island, as well as tourists who visit all take a toll on these gentle giants, as well as other unique animals there such as the blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, and the beautiful frigate birds. 

 Messner chronicles the efforts of a team of scientists as she accompanies them over the islands while they check on, track and monitor the dwindling Giant Tortoise population. Photography from Messner's actual visit to the islands was done by her son Jake. I loved that some contained QR codes to links of clips for sounds (I heard a Giant Tortoise!) or more information (I watched them install a radio tag). Messner includes an authors note, Tortoise timeline, and a glossary, as well as ideas for readers to help with the conservation efforts.

Lisa Librarian