Honey Girl The Hawaiian Monk Seal

Arbordale Publishing

(published 2.10.2017)
* JUST RELEASED*
32 pages 

A True Tale with
A Cherry On Top  

A uthor: Jeanne Walker Harvey
      and Illustrator: 
           Shennen Bersani

C haracter: Honey Girl the Hawaiian Monk Seal

O verview from the jacket flap: 

    "Hawaiian locals and visitors always enjoy spotting endangered Hawaiian monk seals, but Honey Girl is an extra special case. She has raised seven pups, and scientists call her 'Super Mom.' After Honey Girl is injured by a fishhook, she gets very sick. Scientists and veterinarians work to save Honey Girl until she can be released back to her beach. This true story will have readers captivated to learn more about his endangered species." 
    
T antalizing taste: 
     
    "Honey Girl hadn't been able to catch or swallow food for several weeks. Unable to eat, she would soon starve. Could she be saved?
     The scientists surrounded her. Honey Girl raised her head as if to bark, but she couldn't make a sound. The people gently lifted her into a crate in the back of a truck. They drove her across the island to Waikiki Aquarium."

and something more: I'm thrilled to share Honey Girl's story so beautifully illustrated by Shennen Bersani (the illustrator of our other marine mammal rescue story, ASTRO THE STELLER SEA LION).
    I dedicated the book "to my amazing sons, Will and Scott, who were with me when I first saw a Hawaiian monk seal (possible Honey Girl) at the Turtle Bay beach."  
    And, as every book is a collaboration and a network of support, I've shared my gratitude at the end of  HONEY GIRL THE HAWAIIAN MONK SEAL: 
 

       "Thank you to Dr. Michelle Barbieri, Hawaiian Monk Seal Health Program Coordinator for the Marine Mammal Center/ Ke Kai Ola and NOAA Fisheries, who was with Honey Girl in her rescue, rehabilitation and release, and who generously shared her experiences and expertise with me. 
        And I appreciate all the volunteers, veterinarians, scientists and staff at NOAA Fisheries Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program (HMSRP), Pacific Islands Regional Office, Waikiki Aquarium, Honolulu Zoo, Hawaiian Monk Seal Response Team Oahu (HMSRTO), and The Marine Mammal Center who worked together to rescue and care for Honey Girl.

        My heartfelt thanks to those who helped me with this story: The Marine Mammal Center’s Executive Director Dr. Jeff Boehm and Story and Communications Curator Sarah van Schagen, Lanikai General Store owner Donna Festa, the committed volunteers in Hawaii featured in the MonkSealMania blog, and my dear family and friends who always encourage me in my writing endeavors.

        And special thanks to my friend and talented illustrator, Shennen Bersani, and expert editor Katie Hall of Arbordale Publishing."

                                                               MAHALO!!