Samuel's Most Important Message

One of my local heroes is Frank Glew. I first learned about Frank when my oldest child was born and we received a copy of That Chickadee Feeling for a baby shower gift from a friend. We've read that book countless times, and have experienced that feeling ourselves at the Laurel Creek Nature Centre in the wintertime. It is truly magical to have a chickadee eat out of your hand!

In addition to writing many children's books on a variety of nature and environmental stewardship themes, Frank is an outdoor education extraordinaire. He has had many years of experience as a teacher, canoe trip leader, principal, parent and grandparent. His love of nature and of educating children is inspiring.

He's also connected to the Huron Natural Area in a special way - he's one of the people who helped to establish it as a city park. 

I was thrilled when Frank agreed to come to our Tales and Trails group to read his book Samuel's Most Important Message. It tells the story of a Blanding's turtle named Samuel that Frank watched at Huron Natural Area. It's a story of conservation and working to keep our natural areas healthy for many species like Samuel. 

Frank talked about turtles' shells - how they are just like a home, and they keep the turtle warm and protected. If turtles can take good care of their shell, could we join them and take good care of our shell too! We talked together about what this shell might be: our home, our community, our country, our world. All of us "creatures" need a healthy world habitat to live in!

Frank showing a photo of a Blanding's turtle. These turtles are quite rare.

Samuel the turtle grew a long neck so that he could speak his important message to a large crowd.

some of Frank's books (not all of them!)

a happy customer!

Thanks, Frank, for encouraging us to take care of our "shell"!