Kidswill learn environmental lessons about the importance of keeping the oceans clean, as well as various educational tidbits about sea turtles: their life cycles from hatchlings to elderly turtles, their mating habits and their migratory patterns.
Sammy's journey is one that teaches about friendship, the environment, love, and overcoming obstacles. The eco-friendly sequences explain why humans contaminate the sea and how pollution affects animals' everyday lives.
Several of the sea animals are kind-hearted and courageous creatures who go out of their way to lend a hand to their friends. An exception is the cat who tricks Sammy and can't wait to get rid of him.
There are a few tense and frightening moments when Sammy, Ray, or Shelly are about to be hurt but are rescued/get away at the last minute. Sammy faces everything from predatory seagulls to commercial fisherman to sharks (one of whom turns out to be a pal) in his journey.
During the conversations about selecting a mate, Ray asks Sammy what his "type" is and discusses "cuties" of the opposite sex. Some flirting and eventually an embrace of sorts as Sammy and Shelly reunite.
Parents need to know that A Turtle's Tale is a traditional animal adventure about a sea turtle who has to overcome countless obstacles to be reunited with his best friend and his dream mate. There are some elements of potential peril in which Sammy and his friends are separated or have to be rescued. Nothing is too upsetting, however, because we know Sammy lives to an old age (he narrates the story of his life). Children will learn a great deal about global warming, sea turtles, their habits, and their overall life cycles from hatchlings to grandparents. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
An elderly sea turtle named Sammy tells the story of life from a wee little hatchling trying to escape predatory seagulls to a juvenile turtle (Yuri Lowenthal) who along with his best friend Ray (Anthony Anderson) attempt to survive the current and find a mate. Along the way, Sammy remains steadfast to finding Shelly, the female turtle who saved him as a baby. Despite several adventures that take him away from Ray, Sammy wants nothing more than to reunite with his friends. As he grows older, Sammy realizes that humans and pollution and global warming are all destructive forces that sea animals must face.
A TURTLE'S TALE is a noticeable improvement to Ben Stassen's other historical drama Fly Me to the Moon. The story is considerably more accessible to kids, the characters are better developed, and the messages aren't as preachy. Kids familiar with Finding Nemo (and loved the segment with Crush the sea turtle and his family) will be particularly interested in a movie dedicated to the life of a sea turtle, one of the ocean's longest-living animals.
Part coming-of-age tale, part environmental lesson, the movie should teach children about the importance of ocean preservation and the life of sea turtles while also entertain them with silly characters (Ray is the classic goofball best friend) and a series of adventures that teach Sammy about being a responsible citizen of the sea as well as a good friend. It may not be Pixar, but it's a surprisingly educational pick for younger kids with a curiosity about the sea.
Fly fishing is an art that combines patience, skill, and a deep appreciation for nature. It's a serene experience that allows anglers to connect with the outdoors while pursuing their passion. And what could make this pursuit even more enjoyable and rewarding?
I fish a lot. So when my husband and I got Sammy 3 years ago, I knew she was going to grow into being a fishing dog. There was a lot of learning on both sides, but 3 years later, we still love to fish together.
On our first fishing outing together, I learned so much about Sammy. One thing that stood out was her incredible curiosity. As soon as we arrived at the river, she was immediately drawn to the water (she is a Golden, after all), sniffing at the ripples and splashing around in the water. Sometimes her curiosity would get the best of her and she would wander off to a smell of animal poop or something dead, but for the most part she has adapted well to knowing that when we are fishing, she needs to stay close by.
But, what excited me the most was seeing how much joy my dog got from just being outside in nature. If she wasn't chewing on a stick that she pulled out of the water, she was watching intently as I cast my fly, and the moment it landed on the water, she would wag her tail and seem almost as eager as I was to see what I would catch.
That first fishing outing together completely changed my perspective on what adventures could look like with my dog. It opened my eyes to the incredible possibilities of exploring the outdoors together and deepening our connection through shared experiences.
From that day forward, I saw our adventures as opportunities to create lasting memories and strengthen our bond. Whether it's fishing, hiking, or simply exploring new places, I now view every adventure with Sammy as a chance to deepen our connection and cherish the moments we spend together in the great outdoors.
Ruffwear Ambassador Chris Hill is an environmental lobbyist and the Campaign Director for the Sierra Club. She is passionate about social justice and the outdoors. A lifelong, avid adventurer, Chris lives in Alaska with her fun-loving pup, Sammy. The two enjoy river fly fishing, hiking, and camping together.
A sea turtle who was hatched in 1959 spends the next 50 years traveling the world while it is being changed by global warming. Born on a Baja, California beach in 1959, new hatchling Sammy must do what his fellow newborn sea turtles are doing: race across the beach to the ocean before they are captured by a seagull or crab. Thus begins Sammy's incredible fifty-year ocean journey. Along the way he meets his best friend, a fellow turtle named Ray, and overcomes obstacles both natural and man-made while trying to fulfill his dream of travelling around the world. Throughout his voyage, Sammy never forgets about Shelly - the turtle he saved on his first day and loves passionately from afar.
Sammy and Ray, leatherback turtles and friends forever, are enjoying an atoll's water and sand, shepherding new hatchlings Ricky and Ella out to sea. Suddenly, a poacher swoops in and ships them off to be part of a spectacular aquarium show for tourists in Dubai. The kingpin of the place, Big D the seahorse, enlists them in his plans for a great escape. But with their new friends Jimbo the bug-eyed blob fish and Lulu the snippy lobster, Annabel the sweet Octopus, and a whole family of penguins, Sammy and Ray hatch breakout plans of their own. That is when little Ricky and Ella arrive, determined to break in to rescue them. After a series of thrilling adventures and narrow escapes, our heroes head south to meet up with Shelly, Sammy's first and only love.
Nestled deep undersea next to a deserted island is the paradise home of Sammy and his turtle family. Their peaceful reef village is hidden from the wild blue ocean and the danger that lurks in it. Young turtle Ricky dreams of leaving his safe home in search of adventure but nobody takes him seriously. He's still so little! But when a mysterious creature threatens the reef's safety, Ricky and his friends must embark on a mission to find the monster and save their home.
This delightfully animated film begins with Sammy the turtle being hatched but immediately abandoned by all his fellow newbies as they are able to successfully climb out of the ground and swim away. Sammy eventually ends up at sea alone after he manages to save the life of one unlucky turtle, and he encounters adventure after adventure. He meets fellow turtle Ray along the way, and they become best friends, braving the ocean together.
The gorgeous animation is extremely detailed, realistic, and at times very fun, showcasing beautiful colors and movements and playful scenarios, such as aerial views of Sammy and Ray traveling from place to place, sped up and with arrows outlining their journeys. The soundtrack is equally engaging with state-of-the-art audio and contemporary and throwback songs that most adults and teens would recognize.
As the two comrades focus on finding mates, they encounter some dangerous situations, such as oil spills, shark chases, and piranhas, and Sammy and Ray eventually get separated. They both eventually find mates and one another again, but not without more grave difficulties. It seems the love and adventure they seek come at a price, but they determine it is all worth it. The theme of environmental change due to global warming is very subtle and the ending, likewise, may not be so quickly understood by some children as we suddenly see two older turtles who are looking out for little turtles crossing the road. The suggestion is that this is Sammy and possibly Ray helping other young ones as they were once helped along the way. We are proud to award this series the Dove approved seal for all ages for its endearing and appropriate content surround messages of friendship, hope, and courage.
Hello, fellow runners and friends of Fleet Feet Meridian! As we embrace the colder days and challenge ourselves with winter running, I want to share an incredible story from our Winter Warrior program. It's about a remarkable group member, Sammy Hager, whose journey is nothing short of inspirational.
Sammy's adventure began two years ago, stemming from a sobering experience at Lagoon amusement park where she couldn't fit on the rides. This led to a pivotal self-question: "What sport do you hate the most?" For Sammy, it was running. But instead of backing away, she confronted it head-on. Sammy registered for a 5K and started running them monthly. Among these, Fleet Feet Meridian runs stood out, providing a supportive and caring environment that resonated deeply with her.
Initially weighing 357 pounds and pre-diabetic, Sammy embarked on a transformative path. Through dedication and hard work, she has lost an incredible 160 pounds, tackled numerous half marathons, and is now preparing for her first full marathon! Her journey with Fleet Feet and our Winter Warriors program played a crucial role, offering her the support and community she needed.
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