UPDATE:

We've been overwhelmed with support and reached our initial target quicker than anticipated - but this campaign isn't over and you can absolutely continue to pre-order the book! Inspired by your enthusiasm, we're taking this campaign to the next level! We're going to try and raise $5,000 which will mean more books and wider distribution. And for every $200 we raise over our initial target, we will donate 5 books to a kindergarten/school or turtle watch/care organisation! We have always believed in this book and we're so touched and thrilled that you do too :) 

I'm Renee Hills and I'm publishing a children's picture book called Turtle Love.

Turtle Love began as a conversation with my friend Robyn. We were on an idyllic North Queensland beach, standing in the shade of wispy casuarina trees on the foreshore, hearing the breeze sigh through the foliage and the slap of gentle waves on the warm golden sand. The beach area is home to a small human community and a myriad of coastal creatures, including the vulnerable flatback turtle hatchlings that emerge from nests in summer.

(Vulnerable means that the species is likely to become endangered unless the circumstances threatening its survival and reproduction improve. Vulnerability is mainly caused by habitat loss or destruction of the species home.)

Nearby, two jetties belonging to a huge coal loading facility stalked more than 1.5 kilometers out to sea and poured coal into ships from a 67-hectare stockpile, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Robyn was extremely worried about plans to build another facility on an almost pristine beach to the north where flatback turtles nest.

A children's picture book seemed the perfect vehicle for us to explore this dilemma. A talented artist, Robyn agreed to illustrate the text.

Turtle Love is about Jacob Gordon Lachlan Brown who lives on perhaps the most interesting and beautiful beach in the world. The flatback turtles agree. They come every summer to lay their eggs. But life is becoming more difficult for the turtles because the big ships that load coal all are stirring up sediment and this affects the seagrass that the turtles eat.  And this beautiful beach is where they MUST come to nest. Why don't the flatback turtles go somewhere else? What can Jacob do to help them?

The text explores themes including the impact of man-made coastal developments on the habitat of other species;  how to advocate for threatened creatures and the right of all living beings to have a safe place to nest and live. As a bonus, the book contains a story within a story, a mythical explanation for the beautiful coloured rock landform on the beach where the turtles nest. 

Unfortunately, Robyn died suddenly, just as she was about to begin illustrating. In shock and grief, I couldn't look at the project for some time. Eventually, I met the gifted Brisbane photographer, poet and illustrator Anna Jacobson and work began. Anna created vibrant, distinctive and insightful illustrations that colourfully complement the text. 

Turtle Love is written for 4-8-year-olds. My teacher friends say that it's perfect for science and literacy concepts in lower primary school. Classroom and early childhood teachers will appreciate the two information pages on the flatback turtle habitat plus another two pages of curriculum and age-appropriate activities. 

And Turtle Love is not just an environmental treatise. It is also a rewarding and empowering story that engages young children and invites them to be proactive about the welfare of other creatures.

The book is especially relevant at this time in Australia's history when people across the nation are protesting what could become the largest coal mine in the world in central Queensland's Galilee Basin area. Coal from this proposed mine would be exported through a port in a setting very similar to the one in Turtle Love.  Scientists and environmental advocates hold grave concerns for the health of the spectacular coral on the Great Barrier Reef and all the marine life that call it home, if the mine goes ahead.

Turtle Love has the potential to reach the hearts and minds of all readers. It reveals the joy and delight that comes when humans acknowledge that other species with whom we share this planet have a right to safety, to a sustainable habitat, and in the case of the flatback turtles, to return to their specific nesting places year after year. 

It's time for Turtle Love to swim out into the world! And that's where we need your help.

Other details:

Ages: 4-8
Format: Softcover, 36  pages (including covers)
ISBN: 9 780646 966977

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/renaissancerenee/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renaissancerenee/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rlhills

Find Anna Jacobson at::  https://www.annajacobson.com.au/

How does crowdfunding work?

We're using this crowdfunding campaign to raise funds to print the book. By pledging, you are supporting us in bringing this heartfelt project to life. 

We believe we have created a powerful and beautiful book and we are totally committed to sharing it far and wide. We feel that the book's themes are topical, urgent and important and it's imperative that it has a wide circulation. 

We hope this campaign creates awareness and enthusiasm. It is an opportunity for our friends, family, colleagues, supporters and the wider community to get involved; to be part of something positive and to pre-order our powerful little book before we attempt to pitch the idea to distributors.

Your support will have a real impact on our ability to produce this book - we can't do it without you!  And with platforms like Pozible available, it seemed logical to appeal directly to fabulous people such as yourself, with an idea that is so relevant and timely. 

Check out the rewards and ways you can pledge on this page!

What happens to the money?

We plan to raise $4150.  This will mostly be used to print the book.  If we raise more, we can increase the print run and contribute to distribution costs. 

It's an all or nothing campaign. This means that if the campaign does not reach its goal, your pledge is not activated and no money is deducted from your account. You can pledge using PayPal or Credit Card.  Funds go to Renee's business account titled Renaissance Renee Press. 

The printer is ready to proceed. Renee and Anna both have networks related to their areas of interest: environment, climate change, earth ethics, education, poetry, and writers groups, so we feel we are in a good position to promote and distribute this book.  

Our biggest challenge is likely to be spreading the word, especially amongst people we haven’t met yet. We'd love you to help with this by sharing this campaign with your friends. Your generosity in doing so will make a huge difference to the success of Turtle Love.