Everglades Focus of New Children's Book

(Press Release) ​(West Palm Beach, FL – March 14, 2025) The Everglades is disappearing and so are snail kites, an endangered bird of prey native to Florida’s shrinking wetlands. The colorful new book SAM THE SNAIL KITE AND THE SECRET OF THE EVERGLADES focuses on one plucky but curious snail kite on his journey to keep the environmentally critical Everglades alive.
 
A collaboration of Grassy Waters educators, written by Vera de Chalambert, delightfully illustrated by Christina Eure, and designed by Sarah Cravens, SAM THE SNAIL KITE will be available on March 24 from the City of West Palm Beach to promote Grassy Waters Preserve, a vital wetlands area that provides drinking water for thirsty local inhabitants of all ages.

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One result of the vanishing wetlands is that snail kites are on the Endangered Species List—a scary fact that motivates Sam to “learn the secret of keeping the Everglades alive.” One after another, he asks all the interconnected plants and animals that have depended on this critical ecosystem for thousands of years if they know the answer.
 
The ultimate lesson learned: “Everything in the Everglades needs water to live. Without water, humans wouldn’t be able to survive either! Everyone is responsible for protecting water, and we have a part to play.”
 
SAM THE SNAIL KITE shares this valuable insight in a way that is easy for both children and adults to understand while reveling in its whimsical artistic imagery. Most importantly, the book shares valuable tips on how everyone—regardless of age—can contribute to saving the Everglades, such as:
·      Collect rainwater.
·      Don’t pollute.
·      Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
·      Plant native plants.
 
Featuring an engaging family of Everglades plants and animals-Mama Sawgrass, Uncle Gator, Sister Egret, and many others-the book also represents the role of the Seminole people and their ancestors as an integral part of the story of the Everglades or ‘Pay-Hay-Okee’, which means grassy waters. In addition to the City of West Palm Beach and Grassy Waters Preserve, the publication of SAM THE SNAIL KITE is sponsored by FPL and the Grassy Waters Conservancy. The book was created and produced by current and former staff members at the Preserve.
 
“We encourage everyone to visit us at Grassy Waters Preserve and join the Everglades Family,” invites Mary Crider, Environmental Education Supervisor.
 
To purchase an advance copy of SAM THE SNAIL KITE, interested people may complete the pre-order form at https://grassywaters.org/sam-the-snail-kite/. Books will be available for pickup beginning March 24 at Grassy Waters Preserve Nature Center, 8264 Northlake Blvd., West Palm Beach, 33412.