A short summary of MY PROJECT

I would like to raise £1,500 to self publish a children's picture book.  This picture book is no ordinary picture book, it will include facts about turtles, a story about Tiny Turtle 32 and spaces to write or draw, to promote discussion with a caregiver about different emotions - similar to those of our hatchling.

Who am i?

My name is Laura and I am a mature student at the University of Essex, studying for my MA in Psychodynamic Counselling.  I have 12 years experience working as a T.A. in a primary school, where I completed numerous courses to help children at school.  I completed my BA in Therapeutic Communication and Therapeutic Organisations in 2022 and I travelled to Kefalonia, to experience volunteering for Wildlife Sense, where my daughter and I rescued turtle hatchlings.  I have two children, a husband, two dogs, a cat and a goldfish and I live in Suffolk.

my story

I was inspired in Kefalonia by these tiny inch long creatures.  Every night hatchlings would emerge out of their shells and precariously make their way to the sea.  I remember wondering how these little beings could work so hard, struggle so much and yet persevere until they made it into the sea.  Their flippers were so tiny and they had no sense of balance - they would often flip over and struggle on their backs, with their little flippers waving around, waiting for one of us to flip them back onto their tummies. Their journeys had only then begun, they had to survive in the water.  Unfortunately only 1 in 1000 hatchlings survive, so Wildlife Sense do an incredible and necessary job.  They guide the hatchlings to the sea, so that they don't get lost while searching for the moon, they don't get eaten and they don't get sun burnt.  For every book sold, I will donate money to Wildlife Sense for their continuing efforts of wildlife and environmental conservation. They are in need of GPS gadgets and first aid equipment to provide immediate care for injured sea turtles, which their team encounter.

This book will be educational, as I have included many facts about turtles and their hatchlings.  Wildlife Sense have confirmed that all my information is correct.  Our children need to know how important these animals are and that we, as humans, are endangering their lives by building too close to the sea, fishing and throwing rubbish into our oceans.  We need to protect wildlife and in order to do that, children need to be educated about the facts.

Tiny Turtle 32 (she is the 32nd egg to hatch, out of approximately 99) emerges from her shell.  She explains the journey down to the ocean and she explains how she feels.  She is tired, frightened and has no idea where she is.  She then shows courage, strength, determination and resilience.  All these feelings are similar to ours and Tiny Turtle 32 asks children to write, or draw a picture to explain how and when they have felt similar emotions (parents could write their feelings too!).

I will also include some of my photographs from my time in Kefalonia.  Perhaps my story may encourage children to volunteer their time to help with other projects, or plan a trip to Kefalonia when they are older.

Your very kind donation will help publish this children's book to a high standard, providing something which my family could be proud of and something that parents could treasure and keep.  I truly hope that the time spent with children reading this book will be valuable and teach children about emotions and how they feel, not only to Tiny Turtle 32, but to us all.  The children's pictures and writing will provide individual thoughts and feelings to discuss.

Where will your money go?

• If I hit the minimum target I will be able to self publish my book, with help from the publisher to layout the         text and pictures.
• If I hit my full target, I will be able to offer a great quality book, with rewards sent to all, and have money to market my book in schools, libraries and other venues.
• I will provide updates on progress every two weeks, so that you're up-to-date with my journey.
• Here are some of the other costs I need to pay:
• Thick paper and binding
• The colour photographs and pictures
• The front cover
• The printing
• Shipping/packaging of the books which I sell
• Amazon 'Look inside feature"
• Marketing
• ISBN number
• If I raise more than my target and have extra funds, I will start thinking of my next book with another                 character and different emotions to discuss.

Rewards

• I have very cute and cool stickers, posters and frames for children to draw their own turtle and return to           me to have displayed - I will create a Unique Tiny Turtle 32 Picture Wall on Facebook and my website
• Please check them out, there are different Rewards for different amounts donated. 

Images and video

Find me here

Web:  noodle-doodles.com

Facebook:    Tiny Turtle 32

Instagram:    noodledoodlesta

"Follow me to find out how I'm doing!"

Help me succeed!

• You don't need to give money to help me succeed! Please share this project with anyone you think would support me – on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, by email, telephone, in a chat over the fence or on your blog.
• In fact, share it with everyone you know as I think it's a great idea, and the more people who know about it, the more likely I am to make this work out brilliantly.
• And I know I said you don't need to give money to help me, but I'd love it if you did! Please sponsor me and help make this happen.
• THANK YOU