Youth Services librarians, Ms. Ilene & Ms. Jen recently had the “fintastic” pleasure of interviewing Booker, our sea turtle mascot located in the Children’s Room.
Ms. Ilene & Ms. Jen: Tell us a bit about yourself, Booker.
Booker: I came to the Oceanside Library about 8 years ago. Some of my ancestors were born off the coast of Long Beach, NY. I decided that the people at the library were welcoming and I felt included…they didn’t care if I was green or had flippers, they included me in many programs and events, even outreach which was fun with Ms. Debbie.
Ms. Ilene & Ms. Jen: Have you read many books, Booker?
Booker: I love all the books here, I’m quite partial to adventure tales and marine biology, naturally. “The Rainbow Fish” and “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea” are personal favorites.
Ms. Ilene & Ms. Jen: Do you ever get lonely at night when the library closes?
Booker: Not at all. When the lights dim, the shelves whisper stories to one another. Occasionally when everyone goes home, I play with the Tonieboxes and the characters keep me company.
Ms. Ilene & Ms. Jen: That’s magical. What would you say to a child who feels nervous about reading?
Booker: Sometimes you drift, sometimes you dive deep. Every page you turn is a splash forward. I began with signing up for 1000 Books Before Kindergarten and loved reading and earning prizes with every 100 books that I read! Keep trying and soon you’ll be swimming along and learning so many new facts about the world.
Ms. Ilene & Ms. Jen: Beautifully said. Any final words for our readers?
Booker: Be curious, be kind, not shellfish, and always return your books on time. The Oceanside Library is an ocean of wonders. Sign up for our Summer Reading Club and please join us for our kickoff “shellabration” on Thursday June 26th from 6-10pm on the Schoolhouse Green.
As summer approaches Booker has some turtle facts to share:
Nesting Season Peaks in Summer: Most sea turtle species, like loggerheads and green turtles, nest during the summer months, especially between May and August, depending on the sea turtles. They are a remarkable presence along Long Island’s southern shores, including Long Beach, NY, especially during the warmer months. From May through November, the region’s bays, estuaries, and coastal waters provide vital habitats for four species of sea turtles: Department of Environmental Conservation
Sea Turtle Species Found Near Long Island, NY
Loggerhead Sea Turtle: The most frequently sighted sea turtle in New York, loggerheads inhabit nearshore bays and Long Island Sound during their juvenile stages. They primarily feed on crustaceans and shellfish.
Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle: The smallest and most critically endangered sea turtle species, Kemp’s ridleys are often found in shallow coastal areas. They feed on crabs, clams, and other marine life.
Green Sea Turtle: Juvenile green sea turtles are occasionally seen in seagrass beds off the eastern end of Long Island and in the Peconic Estuary, where they forage on algae and seagrass.
Leatherback Sea Turtle: As one of the largest reptiles on Earth, leatherbacks are known to dive to great depths. They are widely distributed and can be found off the southern coast of Long Island and within Long Island Sound.
Cold-Stunning and Rescue Efforts
As temperatures drop in the fall, sea turtles may become cold-stunned, a hypothermic condition that renders them lethargic and unable to swim. The New York Marine Rescue Center (NYMRC) is the primary responder for such incidents, rescuing and rehabilitating stranded turtles. In recent years, they’ve rescued record numbers of cold-stunned turtles, including 94 in just eight weeks during one season. Read about sea turtles here.
If you encounter a stranded or cold-stunned sea turtle, contact the NYMRC’s Stranding Hotline at 631-369-9829 immediately. Do not attempt to handle the turtle yourself, as it is illegal and can be harmful to the animal. Everything You Need to Know About Sea Turtles on Long Island
Conservation and Education
The NYMRC also offers volunteer opportunities through its Cold Stun Patrol Team, which helps monitor and rescue stranded turtles. Training programs are available for those interested in participating. Contact them here.
For a closer look at sea turtles, consider visiting the Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead, which features a “Turtle Bay” exhibit showcasing various turtle species @ the Long Island Aquarium By staying informed and vigilant, residents and visitors of our Long Island Beaches can play a crucial role in protecting these ancient mariners.
Here are some of Booker’s favorite titles, about his family, to share.
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Adelita, A Sea Turtle’s Journey by Jenny Goebel and Yoshi and the Ocean: A Sea Turtle’s Incredible Journey Home by Lindsay Moore, two intrepid sea turtles take us along on their adventurous journeys across the ocean, back to where they were born!
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In Go Wild! Sea Turtles by Jill Esbaum and Young Zoologist Green Sea Turtle by Carlee Jackson, we learn all about the different species of sea turtles and how they live in their natural habitat- the ocean!
Here are some more “TURTLEY” awesome books featuring one of our favorite reptiles:
