School Library Journal (Sun May 01 00:00:00 CDT 2016)

K-Gr 3 The authors deliver an eloquent environmental message while demonstrating how kids can change the world through teamwork and perseverance. When Vivienne moves into her new home by the sea, she is nervous about finding her way. Her teacher and her classmates welcome her as they jump into an exciting class projectthe students are looking for a problem to solve. After school at the beach, Vivienne and her new friend, Clementine, discover that the baby loggerhead sea turtles that are about to hatch may need help making it down to the ocean. The newborn turtles instinctively move toward the strongest light they see, and the brightly lit beach houses could point them in the wrong direction. Vivienne is determined to help the tiny creatures. The students in Mr. J.'s class begin working on the project by gathering information. How will they convince the homeowners along the shoreline to turn off their lights? The children soon involve the entire town as they launch their Lights Out for Loggerheads campaign. By showing the multiple channels that the students work through to raise awareness (posters, fliers, bake sales, a town meeting, the local newspaper, and the Internet), the authors expose readers to accessible, affordable ways to raise issue awareness in communities. So's lovely and bright watercolor illustrations chronicle each stage of the children's cause. The artist deftly captures the energy and enthusiasm in the classroom and the tranquility of the shoreline. The shadowy scene on the darkened beach as the turtles emerge from their nests is particularly atmospheric.

ALA Booklist (Sun May 01 00:00:00 CDT 2016)

This beautifully illustrated story elegantly combines the themes of finding one's way in a new place and environmental activism by children. Moving to a seaside town, Vivian copes with getting lost and striving to fit into her new school. Then she discovers the plight of hatchling loggerhead turtles confused by lights from houses along the beach and works with her new classmates to develop an information-­sharing campaign and beach patrol to protect the turtles from the artificial glow that misdirects them away from the ocean. The eloquent, spare text nicely complements So's illustrations, rendered in aqueous watercolor washes, ink, and colored pencil, that depict Viv's surroundings, her blossoming friendship with a classmate, and lovely scenes of the moonlit South Carolina beach, darkened to help the hatchlings find their way, thanks to Viv's efforts. The comprehensive back matter includes an essay by Cousteau eanographer Jacques Cousteau's grandson d lots of information on loggerheads and their protection needs. This empowering look at what kids can accomplish is a perfect choice for Earth Day.

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

In a gently empowering story about grassroots activism and facing problems head-on, environmentalist Cousteau and author Hopkinson (Knit Your Bit) introduce Viv, a shy girl who gets to know her new South Carolina schoolmates and environment though a class assignment. Viv and her peers are asked to find a problem facing the community, make a plan to fix it, and take action. After finding a dead baby sea turtle on the beach, Viv learns that turtle hatchlings instinctively follow the moonlight to the water, and the bright lights from beachfront vacation homes can lead them inland. Viv takes the lead on the project, calling it "Lights Out for Loggerheads," canvassing residents and requesting that they shut off outside lights and close curtains after dark. The operation is successful, and the children watch the turtles "scurrying, scurrying over the sand and into the shimmering sea." So's (Otters Love to Play) airy watercolor, pencil, and ink artwork creates a distinctive sense of place, bringing the essence of breezy, coastal evenings to the pages. Ages 5-8. Authors' agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. Illustrator's agent: Sally Heflin, Heflinreps. (Apr.)

Kirkus Reviews

A "lights out for loggerheads" campaign becomes a satisfying community-action project for Vivienne and her summer school classmates. Environmental advocate Cousteau and acclaimed author Hopkinson team up to encourage young activists. New in her South Carolina town, Vivienne is drawn into the community through a summer school assignment. Challenged by their teacher, she and classmate Clementine discover a problem: lighting in beach houses disorients hatchling loggerhead turtles. As a group, the students research the issue, publicize it, enlist adult help, and suggest solutions. A community meeting is the culmination—until the magical night they watch hatchings find their ways from their nests in the sand to the ocean by the moonlight on the water. Gorgeously illustrated with watercolor and colored ink and pencils, this is a beautiful package. So's paintings of both the natural and diverse human world add atmosphere, characterization, and informative depth. Vivienne's early shyness is evident in her body language; Clementine is chunky (Clementine is blonde and white, while Vivienne has dark hair and slightly darker skin). Details include steps for a community-action project and examples of the students' research, campaign publicity, and fundraising. Important information about loggerheads is woven into this story and its backmatter, but their use of light cues is oversimplified, and the creators (all from west coasts) have misplaced their setting crescent moon. An appealing model of preteen activism. (authors' notes, further info, resources). (Informational picture book. 5-9)