Armando and the Baula
Armando is a young Tico boy who has lived his entire nine
years with his family, just a stones-throw from Playa Real on the Pacific Ocean
in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. He’s a smart kid with
an active curiosity and Playa Real has continually offered him an abundance of
different ways to explore and learn. Upon his request, Armando’s father allows
him to spend the night alone on the beach on the evening of his ninth birthday
because Armando wants to witness the phenomena of the Baula turtles coming
ashore to lay their eggs. What transpires on that night has a huge impact on
Armando: he does, indeed, see a Baula lay her eggs. In fact, the turtle
introduces herself (Yes! She speaks!) as “Annabella”, or Bella for short, and
has quite a story to tell the impressionable Armando.
This story is the
premise of “Armando and La Baula”, the new, self-published book by David
Robert. The story line moves right along, guaranteeing to keep young readers’
interest. There are more than a few good lessons concerning ecology, honesty,
the value of a promise along the way, making it well worth it for the parents
to read along with their children. Or even to read it alone for their own good:
there is information in the book about both the life cycle of the Baula turtle
and some of the species-threatening problems they are currently experiencing of
which I was not aware. The chapters have been separated by the wonderful
watercolor illustrations of Ellie Cox, helping the young reader to visualize
Armando and his surroundings through the various phases of his adventure. It is
a story that succeeds on a few different levels at being worthy of any young
reader’s collection. Along the way, there are wonderful geographic descriptions
and folkloric stories, all playing a part in the story line. The plight of the
Baula turtle and many other species of Costa Rican wildlife is not a new
development. But teaching people at an early age about it seems like a positive
step to help come up with a solution. And David Robert’s book certainly makes
the message easily digestible for a new generation. In fact, the story points
toward a few viable answers and alternatives, with the potential for the young
reader to become his parents’ teacher.
Armando and La Baula is available at Jaime
Peligro bookstores in Playa Tamarindo, Quepos and Nuevo Arenal or can be
ordered at: jaimepeligro123@hotmail.com
All commetns concerning this article are gladly welcomed.
All commetns concerning this article are gladly welcomed.
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