Creating The TURTLE TRACKS Family

Sue Trew tells Inspired Travel of her Barbadian turtle discovery and how she shared the magical journeys of the creatures themselves with children in the form of her book, ‘Turtle Tracks’

Growing up in Barbados in the 1960’s and 70’s, we weren’t aware of turtles. I snorkelled regularly with my sisters, but we never saw them. It wasn’t until much later, when I had my own children that turtles became a part of our lives. The Barbados Sea Turtle Project, based at the University of the West Indies, played a big part in the change. For over 25 years they have been involved in the conservation of endangered sea turtles, monitoring the adults and juveniles that feed around Barbados, as well as the females that nest on our beaches and their hatchlings. During nesting and hatching season, The Project volunteers have a very busy time. With public awareness high, their hotline rings often with concerned turtle lovers reporting nest sightings or requesting help, as they try to gather up some 150 hatchlings scampering through a hotel reception!

Over the years, our family has delighted in seeing numerous Hawksbills lay their eggs and seen nests of sandy hatchlings emerge from below the beach. Many visitors to Barbados are lucky enough to witness both phenomena too, but fewer locals do. My husband and I run our family business, Best of Barbados Gift Shops, with five locations on the island, selling my turtle art and turtle giftware designs. Our staff interacts with many visitors who have either swum with turtles or seen them nest or hatch, but not many have seen turtles themselves. One evening, we took some of our staff to see a hatchling release by the Barbados Sea Turtle Project. A nest of about 100 baby Hawksbills, which had emerged too early in the day, were to be released at dusk – the safest time to set out on their big adventure. An excited group gathered to see the bucket of wriggling baby turtles tipped onto the beach and quickly make their way to the sea. Our staff and their children were thrilled!

As we watched them negotiate through the breaking waves, all of us wishing them good luck, we were filled with a sense of wonder. How many would make it back as adults? I went home thinking, “We should be selling a children’s book on turtles!” It was to be the start of my first book, ‘Turtle Tracks’.

That was in the summer of 2012 and the rest you might say is history. Within a few months I had a great little book designed. I wrote the story about a Hawksbill turtle coming up on the beach to nest and about her hatchlings when they emerged. My plan was to write a series, available to visitors and locals, and make them all scientifically correct. What facts I couldn’t fit in the story, I put in the back under ‘Discussion Facts’ and we called the series ‘True Tales’.

As the book took shape, I was asked numerous questions; what was the name of the mummy turtle? Was she going to be a toy? Were the hatchlings going to have names and toys too? It was all new territory to me! Tilli, became the name of the nesting Hawksbill in Turtle Tracks and the book was printed in Barbados in early 2013. I was delighted.

Six hatchlings followed with their own personalities and colours too – Buzz, Zoom, Nibbles, Star, Moonlight and Bump. This led to a second book, ‘Happy Hatchlings’, telling of the adventures of six hatchlings as they emerged from their sandy nest and reached the sea for the very first time.

Researching, writing and illustrating the books and creating the toys has been the most incredible journey for me, but the most special part has been to see it in the hands of the children it was created for – seeing their delight – that has been truly a thrill.

Also knowing that each family that reads one of my books at bedtime is learning more about our environment, passing on the message that we must care for the world around us and play our part to preserve it in any way we can.

I’ve been inspired to continue the series, adding a new book and toys each year. In 2015, I wrote ‘Calypso Conch’, about a queen conch and her friend Blink, a peacock flounder. This year I’m working on ‘Dolphin Discovery’, comparing dolphin mammals and dolphinfish, based around the story of a baby dolphin called Dart.

The line has expanded to include soft blankies, pillowcases and dinnerware, all of which kids love. What animals will feature next? I’m not sure yet, but I do know that I’ve no end of subjects from which to choose! One thing you can be sure of is that there will be a new book each year and children can continue to collect this beautiful series and have fun while they learn.

Written by Sue Trew

Creating The TURTLE TRACKS Family