AUTHOR LESLIE DUVAL WINS
MOONBEAM AWARD FOR
“TOO BIG TO LOSE”
The True Story of a Young Girl’s Friendship
With a Galapagos Tortoise Named Sam
“Too Big To Lose” the true life story of Sam, the San Diego Botanic Garden’s 500-pound Galapagos Tortoise, has garnered first-time author Leslie Duval with a coveted Moonbeam Children’s Book Award in the Animal/Pets category. This heartwarming book recounts the love, loss and serendipitous reunion of friends – her husband Julian Duval with his beloved Sam the Tortoise – proving that some friendships are just ‘too big to lose.’
“It is truly an honor to win this award and it is meaningful to me that it is in the Animal/Pets category,” says Leslie. “My pets have always been among my closest friends, giving me purpose and teaching me to respect and have compassion for other species. When I first met Sam, looked into his eyes, and became part of his life, my small corner of this great big world became a better place and I hoped to share that feeling with others.”
The Moonbeam Children’s Book Award Contest began 10 years ago and was founded on the notion that childhood literacy and lifelong reading are vital to help children thrive in a rapidly changing world – or to borrow an election season cliché: “Read Early and Read Often.”
The Moonbeam Awards recognize the year’s best children’s books and are chosen by judging panels of book reviewers, librarians, teachers and students. “Too Big To Lose” earned a bronze medal in the Animal/Pets category.
“This year’s winners were more diverse than ever with inspiring messages that encourage kids to be kind, courageous, and to live healthy lives, “says Awards Director Jim Barnes. See the list of Moonbeam Award winners here: http://www.moonbeamawards.com/74/2016-winners
“Too Big To Lose” is a charming book, written by Leslie Duval, wife of Julian Duval for 25 years. It includes remarkable oil paintings by Ruth Todd Evans, a San Diego-based artist and author/illustrator of “The Panda Who Would Not Eat.” It also includes letters lovingly penned to Sam by Therese Duval, Julian’s sister to whom Sam was given to as a gift on her 7th birthday. The book also includes photos of Sam in his forever home at the San Diego Botanic Garden.
“Taking care of a pet is a big responsibility. This story is about one of the world’s most inappropriate pets, a Galapagos tortoise,” says Julian Duval. “I was young, loved reptiles and was like a kid in a candy store when I bought Sam. We are all very happy that our friendship has come full-circle.”
A portion of the proceeds from “Too Big To Lose” will be donated to the San Diego Botanic Garden in order to care for Sam, who could live another 100 years! Sam is not currently on display to the public, but is used as a therapy animal to “bring comfort and joy to visitors with special needs.”
For more information on Sam, “Too Big To Lose” or to schedule a private reading/book signing with the author, please contact: Leslie Duval at . You can also visit Sam at his website toobigtolose.com or on his Facebook page: Too Big To Lose.
About San Diego Botanic Garden
San Diego Botanic Garden is a beautiful garden oasis nestled on 37-acres in the midst of Encinitas. Visitors enjoy restful vistas, flowering trees, majestic palms, and the nation’s largest bamboo collection. Thanks to our mild Southern California climate, plants from all over the world thrive here. Our diverse topography provides a wide variety of microclimates giving visitors the sensation of strolling through a tropical rainforest to hiking in the high-desert. Four miles of trails wind through 29 uniquely themed gardens including the nationally-acclaimed Hamilton Children’s Garden.
SAN DIEGO BOTANIC GARDEN
230 QUAIL GARDENS DRIVE
ENCINITAS, CA 92024
SDBGARDEN.ORG
760-436-3036