Industry Reviews of Charli's Turtle Triumph
"Burns’ breezy and delightful story introduces children to environmental responsibility while highlighting female empowerment."--Kirkus Reviews
"A trip to the local aquarium sparks a young girl’s dreams of becoming a conservationist in this inspiring tale from Burns (author of Zamboni’s Goal). When Charli’s school visits an aquarium, she, and her best friends, Emma and Molly, are eager to learn about—and potentially mee—new animals. Lucky for them, the center’s head marine biologist, Dr. Grace Jackson, is an expert on saltwater creatures, with a soft spot for those in danger of going extinct. When Charli and her crew meet Lenny, a Loggerhead turtle Dr. Grace rescued, Charli is entranced—and immediately daydreams about becoming a marine biologist herself, exploring Bristol Bay while saving animals with her own program: STAR, the Sea Turtle Animal Rescue group.
Readers will treasure this homage to our ocean’s wildlife, made more vibrant through Mel Schroeder’s cool-hued illustrations that burst with energy. Charli’s imagined beach adventures take place with her darling pup, Paris, who cheerfully drags her around the sand in search of an injured turtle—one whose sorrowful facial expression is heartbreaking. Thankfully, Charli springs into immediate action, assessing the extent of the turtle’s injuries and getting it back to STAR for treatment. She’s joined there by friend Emma, who promptly examines the newly-named Bristol and determines he swallowed a plastic bag. The girls save Bristol, of course, but the lesson they learn is powerful: “Ocean pollution has become a HUGE problem... [and] we can’t rescue ALL the sea turtles.”
Developing Charli’s story through her vivid imaginings is a clever tactic that will motivate younger readers to shoot for the stars themselves, and Burns offers them plenty of ideas on how they can help protect the ocean, from picking up trash to choosing glass over plastic. By the story’s end, Charli resolves to make a difference in the world around her, safely informing Dr. Grace that “anything is possible!”
Takeaway: Inspiring aquarium adventure that teaches ocean conservation.
Comparable Titles: Angela Dominguez’s Stella Díaz Never Gives Up, Jess French’s What a Waste.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A"
--BookLife Reviews
"Charli’s adventure begins with a field trip to the aquarium, where she meets Dr. Grace, a marine biologist who rescues sea turtles. Inspired by the work, Charli imagines herself diving into the ocean, helping animals, and making a difference. That daydream becomes all too real when she stumbles upon a stranded turtle on the beach. With the help of her friends, she saves the turtle, names him Bristol, and soon launches a beach cleanup campaign to protect more turtles from the dangers of plastic. The story builds to a joyful release of Bristol back into the sea, ending with Charli realizing that her dreams of being a marine biologist might not be so far-fetched after all.
What really struck me about this children’s book was how it wrapped serious issues in such a hopeful package. The writing feels approachable and warm, never too heavy, even when it talks about endangered species or pollution. I found myself rooting for Charli not just as a character but as a voice for her community. The author managed to balance imagination and reality, and I loved that blend. The daydream sequences gave the story a magical pull, yet the lessons about conservation felt grounded and urgent.
The ideas in this picture book feel both practical and inspiring. I appreciated how it didn’t just point fingers at problems but showed kids and adults what small actions can do. Switching to less plastic, cleaning beaches, and working together. These are simple things, but they were presented with an energy that made me want to pitch in too. I also thought the friendship between Charli, Emma, and Molly added a nice touch. It reminded me that no big change ever happens alone.
I’d recommend Charli’s Turtle Triumph to kids around 7 to 9, especially those who love animals or dream about science. It’s also a great choice for parents and teachers who want to spark conversations about the environment in a way that’s uplifting. The story is heartfelt, the message is powerful, and the illustrations, which appear on every page, carry a lot of charm. It left me hopeful, and I think it would do the same for just about anyone who picks it up."--The Literary Titan
