Meet the Author

Smiling woman (Leslie Pearson) with long grey hair inside a circular frame on a graphic background with a coral semi-circle, dark blue line drawing of a flower, and black space.

Hello there, my name is Leslie Pearson!

I saw my first turtle years ago while on a walk with my dad.  This mystical and peaceful being was lounging in a stream on a bed of rocks.  I remember him as being so BIG!  We didn’t get too close, he didn’t try to get away, and he didn’t appear to be afraid.  We sat at that stream for a while, just watching him.  I have never forgotten that turtle. 

Now, years later, with my children grown and living their wonderful adventures, I’ve returned to a life-long dream of mine, writing children’s stories about … you guessed right … a kind and gentle sea turtle named Tuckey. 

A woman (seema Haider) with long black hair, glasses, and a nose piercing, smiling for a photo indoors, with a beige background, framed by a circular orange border decorated with a blue and orange abstract design.

Meet the Illustrator

Hi there, my name is Seema Haider!

I'm a Pakistani-Canadian children’s book illustrator who loves bringing charming characters and heartfelt adventures to life. My artwork blends soft textures and expressive faces filled with warmth and humour.

Specializing in picture books for ages 2–8, I use my background in psychology to capture emotions and relationships in a way that helps young readers connect deeply with the story.

See my portfolio here

ABOUT TUCKY

ABOUT TUCKY

A cartoon orange turtle wearing green glasses and red floral shorts, standing on a sandy beach near the ocean, holding a crushed soda can with a green straw. There is a red crab waving its claw nearby, a palm tree, a starfish, and a sandcastle in the background.

Meet Tuckey:  a gentle sea turtle with a very special shell. Tuckey’s shell isn’t like the others. After an encounter with a ship’s propeller, he now wears a custom-made shell that helps him swim, explore, and play. But what happens when his shell gets away from him?

Inspired by the author’s lifelong love of turtles, this story celebrates kindness, friendship, and the beauty of helping others.

With gentle lessons about courage and community, this book is the first in a heartwarming series where Tuckey will always find his way home… with a little help from his friends.

An animated underwater scene featuring a pink octopus with a purple hat sitting at a table with a green teapot. The octopus is smoking a pipe and surrounded by various colorful fish, jellyfish, and seahorses. The background includes seaweed, coral, and bubbles.
Animated orange fish with green glasses and brown hair, underwater surrounded by bubbles, looking surprised or curious.

TURTLE CONSERVATION

Today, turtles face many challenges, from pollution and plastic waste to boat traffic and fishing nets. The more we learn about them, the more we can do to keep them safe.

Sea turtle conservation is so important. Here are great places to learn more:

  • Jekyll Island, The Georgia Sea Turtle Center.  This awesome facility educates us about sea turtles and rehabilitates turtles that have been injured.  This facility is open to the public and accepts donations.  www.jekyllisland.com

  • The Turtle Hospital in Marathon, Florida.  This facility rescues injured turtles, provides them with the medical help they need to get better, then releases them back into their own habitat.   https://turtlehospital.org