cove/marina/manatee
The kids run all the way back to their grandpa’s house.
It says manatees often rest in shallow water to feed on plants.
As you read, have the children identify the speech bubbles that give factual information about manatees. What information can they learn from the illustrations?
What happens when a new marina threatens the gentle manatees?
Each summer, Dakota and Tala spend a month at their grandpa’s house on the beach.One day, they attend the opening of a new marina.
--I am happy to say that the new marina is now OPEN!
Grandpa is not happy about the new marina.
--The marina is nice to look at, but it isn’t good for all the wildlife. It will bring more boats and more pollution to our community.
While Grandpa prepares lunch, Dakota and Tala go exploring.
--Let’s go that way!
They discover a beautiful hidden cove.
--Wow!
--I wonder why Grandpa has never brought us here!
--I bet Grandpa doesn’t even know about it.
--It’s our own secret cove!
Suddenly, a large rock moves!
--Th-th-the rock! It just moved!
--IT’S A MONSTER! LET’S GET OUT OF HERE!
The kids run all the way back to their grandpa’s house.
--You’re just in time for lunch!
--No time to eat, Grandpa!
They hurry to Grandpa’s library to find out more about the mysterious creature they just saw.
--Was it a sea monster?
--It can’t be! Our monster was much scarier than that!
--That’s it!
--It’s called a manatee. It says manatees often rest in shallow water to feed on plants.
--It also says they are gentle creatures.
--That’s the sea monster we’re afraid of?
The next morning, Dakota and Tala try to spot the manatee again.
--Do you see it?
--There she is! She really does look friendly!
--Let’s keep Mandy a secret.
--Mandy? We don’t even know if it’s a girl!
Dakota and Tala visit Mandy every day. One day, they notice something different about her.
--Mandy has hardly moved today.
--Maybe she’s just lonely. The book says manatees are social, but Mandy is always alone.
The next day, Mandy is still acting strange.
--I think she’s hurt!
--Let’s get Grandpa. He’ll know what to do.
Dakota and Tala tell their grandpa about Mandy.
--Will she be OK?
--I don’t know. I think Mandy may have been hit by a boat. She probably swam here after being hit in open water. The new marina has brought many boats to the area.
--What do we do?
--I have an idea!
With their grandpa’s help, Dakota and Tala make signs asking boaters to slow down.
Dakota and Tala put up their signs around the marina.
The next morning …
--Yesterday many signs were placed around the marina, warning boaters to slow down.
--What’s going on?
--Let’s try to get on TV. We can tell the entire city what’s happening to the manatees!
Dakota and Tala land a spot on the evening news.
--Why did you make these signs?
--We saw what’s happening to the manatees in the area.
--We want to remind people that we have to share the water with manatees and other sea creatures.
All too soon, it is time for Dakota and Tala to leave.
--We’ll come back next year, Mandy.
--I’m going to miss this place - and Mandy, too!
The following year, Dakota and Tala visit their grandpa again.
--The city replaced your signs with permanent ones. The boaters have slowed down around the marina.
They go to the cove to find Mandy.
--It’s Mandy.. and she has a baby!
--Looks like we really made a difference!
NOTES FOR LITERACY LEARNING
Before Reading
Ask the children if they are familiar with manatees. Invite them to share anything they know about these creatures. Show the children pictures of manatees and encourage them to ask questions.
During Reading
As you read, have the children identify the speech bubbles that give factual information about manatees. What information can they learn from the illustrations? Ask them to work alone or with a partner to list these facts.
Ask the children how they know that Dakota and Tala care about Mandy the manatee. What things do they do to help Mandy? What else could they have done?
After Reading
Genre Focus: News Report
Have the children work in small groups to present a TV news report on the problems facing manatees. To prepare for this activity, have the children brainstorm a list of people who might be interviewed (a marine biologist, Dakota, Tala, etc). Encourage the children to dramatize the news story that might appear on television.
Arts Link: Using photographs from the library of the Web, ask the children to draw a picture of manatee. Once they have completed their illustrations, ask them to include interesting facts about manatees around the picture.
Vocabulary: cove, marina, manatees, wildlife, mysterious
