From soup to superstar: the story of sea turtle conservation on the Indian coast
HarperCollins, 2015
"Through the story of sea turtles, Kartik Shanker provides a rich history of India's marine ecosystems, the international conservation movement and cutting-edge ecological research. The pen portraits are vivid, the analysis deep, the more luminous. If more scientists could write as well as Shanker, and more environmentalists think as carefully as him, the world would be a happier place."
Ramachandra Guha
Reviews
"An important book on the conservation efforts of experts and laypeople alike, who have helped make safe the lumbering journey of turtles from sea to shore and back."
Hail the Turtlers ! Ranjit Lal - The Hindu Business Line
"From Soup To Superstar is a celebration of seafaring turtles and adventurous marine conservationists who worked tirelessly through the last four decades"
Book Review. From Soup to Superstar. Anand Bannerjee - Live Mint.
"The book, authored by sea turtle expert Kartik Shanker, is a riveting, deeply researched – and often personal – look into sea turtle conservation in India, reflecting Shanker’s decades-long experience working with these creatures.
Book Review. From Soup to Superstar. Shreya Dasgupta - Mongabay.
Book events
Going turtles. Shivani and Paavani Pegatraju - The Hindu, Bangalore.
The story of an unsung marine superstar. The Times of India, Chennai.
Book on turtles traces tales of eco-crusaders. Sandhya Soman - The Times of India, Bangalore.
Save our Turtles. Priyanka Hari Haran - Deccan Herald, Bangalore.
Hatching plans. Anjuly Mathai - The Week.
The Adventures of Philautus Frog. Pratham Books, 2015.
"The author’s description of different types of forests and scenery in the course of Thavalai's journey not only informs young readers but also stimulates their imaginations...The different animals, their habitats and habits are seamlessly woven into the story....... The exquisite illustrations bring to life the thriving greenery and lushness of the Ghats and its diverse flora and fauna."
Book Review. Arefa Tehsin - Goodbooks
"If you thought frogs lived only in ponds, then Kartik Shanker’s book will make you think again. Shanker’s protagonist is Philautus or Thavalai, a tree frog who has never ever come down from his Big Tree home. One day, Thavalai decides to hop off to look for the big blue sea. He has many adventures, including getting directions from a snake who could have easily swallowed him whole. Maya Ramaswamy’s illustrations recreate the dark, deep shola forest, the surrounding hills and grasslands, and their many denizens. A hornbill sits placidly in one corner of the page, while a balloon frog puffs up in purple glory on another. Venomous snakes slither across the book and a dragonfly flits over the words."
11 Books that will get children to explore the wild. Bijal Vaccharajani - NatGeoTraveller.
At the Bangalore LitFest - The Frog that captured our hearts.
"The author’s description of different types of forests and scenery in the course of Thavalai's journey not only informs young readers but also stimulates their imaginations...The different animals, their habitats and habits are seamlessly woven into the story....... The exquisite illustrations bring to life the thriving greenery and lushness of the Ghats and its diverse flora and fauna."
Book Review. Arefa Tehsin - Goodbooks
"If you thought frogs lived only in ponds, then Kartik Shanker’s book will make you think again. Shanker’s protagonist is Philautus or Thavalai, a tree frog who has never ever come down from his Big Tree home. One day, Thavalai decides to hop off to look for the big blue sea. He has many adventures, including getting directions from a snake who could have easily swallowed him whole. Maya Ramaswamy’s illustrations recreate the dark, deep shola forest, the surrounding hills and grasslands, and their many denizens. A hornbill sits placidly in one corner of the page, while a balloon frog puffs up in purple glory on another. Venomous snakes slither across the book and a dragonfly flits over the words."
11 Books that will get children to explore the wild. Bijal Vaccharajani - NatGeoTraveller.
At the Bangalore LitFest - The Frog that captured our hearts.