Category: Books

Les Fruits de Mer Association Launches Updated Local Wildlife Books this Saturday with Free Giveaway Funded by Fondation Air France

Wild Things! Animals of St. Martin launches Saturday, May 24th from 9am to noon at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House.

The Les Fruits de Mer association is launching updated books about St. Martin wildlife, Wild Things! Animals of St. Martin and the French version of the book, Le côté sauvage. The public is invited to celebrate these full-color books, with vivid photos of island wildlife, at the free launch event. It will be held from 9am to noon this Saturday, May 24th at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House. Free copies of the books will be given out at the launch, thanks to funding from Fondation Air France. People of all ages will also enjoy the Amuseum’s exhibits and gardens.

“We’re thrilled to release the new versions of these books,” said author Mark Yokoyama. “These new second editions have been updated with all the latest scientific discoveries. They are also easier to read, so more people can enjoy them.”

The new second editions were created as a companion to Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House. They were made with support from Fondation Air France, which also funded the free books for this launch event, as well as activity books for students on class trips to the Amuseum. It is part of the Les Fruits de Mer association’s larger Island of Discovery project, funded by Fondation Air France. This major transboundary project was created by the all-volunteer association to boost education about local nature, heritage and culture on both sides of the island.

“We hope all will come celebrate these wonderful editions, and we are very grateful for the support of Fondation Air France who made these books and much more possible!” said Les Fruits de Mer President Jenn Yerkes. “This is our first major project that is bringing books for all ages, museum visits and more to thousands of kids on both sides of St. Martin. We couldn’t have done this without them!”

Since 1992, Fondation Air France has funded close to 1680 projects in 80 countries served by the airline company. It partners with associations on projects that impact children and youth, with a focus on educational, environmental, and humanitarian projects. The foundation is funding the Les Fruits de Mer project Island of Discovery on St. Martin.

Fondation Air France funded the creation and distribution of the new versions of Wild Things! Animals of St. Martin.

The launch for the new versions of Wild Things! Animals of St. Martin and Le côté sauvage ! Les animaux de Saint-Martin will be at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House on Saturday, May 24th from 9am to noon. Free copies of the books will be given to those who attend the launch. The books are also available as free downloads at lesfruitsdemer.com, and for sale worldwide at amazon.com.

Free Endemic Animal Festival at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House on Saturday

The free Endemic Animal Festival is 9am to noon on Saturday, April 26th at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House.

The Les Fruits de Mer association invites the public to the Endemic Animal Festival from 9am to noon this Saturday, April 26th at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House. The festival will feature a book launch and giveaway, a craft activity, and the chance to learn about the special animals that live only on our island or only in our region. The festival and all of the activities are free.

“Endemic animals and plants are the most unique part of local nature,” explained Les Fruits de Mer president Jenn Yerkes. “They are the species that live only on this island, or only on a few islands in our area. It’s amazing that there are plants and animals that can only be found here, and nowhere else in the world! They’re an incredible part of St. Martin’s natural heritage. Come out and celebrate them at this free, fun festival!”

The bilingual coloring book St. Martin Unique Nature will be launched and given away at the festival.

St. Martin Unique Nature, a new bilingual coloring book and nature journal, will be launched at the festival. Attendees can take home a free copy. The book presents 40 plants and animals that are unique to St. Martin or our region. The last section of the book features word searches, mazes, storywriting, and other activities starring these special species.

“We are thrilled to launch this book,” said author Mark Yokoyama. “It’s a great way to learn about animals and plants that live only here, like the Bearded Anole and the St. Martin Milk Pea. These are some of our most precious treasures.”

The new book also includes a fun endemic species scavenger hunt. Festival attendees are invited to explore the Amuseum gardens and grounds to find the plants and animals in the hunt. Kids and adults will also enjoy the event’s craft station, where they can decorate canvas pouches with endemic animal designs to take home.

The festival will be from 9am to noon on Saturday, April 26th at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House on the hill above Coconut Grove in French Quarter. The free festival is sponsored by Delta Petroleum. Development and printing of St. Martin Unique Nature was supported by BirdsCaribbean, and the Collectivité de Saint-Martin.

Delta Petroleum is the sponsor of the 2025 Endemic Animal Festival.
St. Martin Unique Nature was developed with support of the Collectivité de Saint-Martin.
St. Martin Unique Nature was developed with support of the BirdsCaribbean.

Launch and Giveaway of St. Martin Activity Book SoualiKulture on Sunday, April 6th

SoualiKulture is the first-ever activity book about the culture of this island.

The public is invited to celebrate the launch of SoualiKulture, the first-ever activity book about St. Martin culture! The free, festive launch event will be held at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House in French Quarter on Sunday, April 6th from 9am to noon. SoualiKulture was created by the Soualiwomen Kultural Association (SKA) and the Les Fruits de Mer association. Guests attending the launch will receive a free copy of the book. The event will also feature a cultural scavenger hunt, a display of Carnival costumes, a coloring station, and refreshments for all to enjoy.

“SKA was formed to celebrate Carnival in another way, more creative and cultural. Then we opened up more to promote and share our culture and traditions,” explained Erica and Laticha Stephen, President and Vice-president of SKA. “This book brings together many parts of our culture, like our sayings and language, our food, our Ponum dance and Carnival. It presents them to the next generation through the fun of activities. It’s a new way to share the things that inspire us and make us who we are as a people.”

SoualiKulture was developed by the Soualiwomen Kultural Association and the Les Fruits de Mer association.

SoualiKulture features over 100 pages of stories, heritage photos, mazes, word games, coloring pages, creative writing and drawing activities, and more. Topics include art, music and dance, Carnival, food and fishing traditions, livestock and agriculture, and the St. Martin language. The book is bilingual in English and French. Ten members of SKA worked together with Les Fruits de Mer to develop and write the book.

“We are thrilled to help SKA launch the first activity book about St. Martin culture!” said Les Fruits de Mer president Jenn Yerkes. “This is incredibly special, and we hope it’s the first of many. St. Martin culture is very rich, and it would be wonderful to see many more books for kids like this. We also look forward to giving this book to thousands of students over the coming years. It can help pass on cultural knowledge and traditions, so they can survive and thrive into the future.”

The book launch will be held on Sunday, April 6th from 9am to noon at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House on the hill above Coconut Grove. Free copies of the book will be given to those who attend the event. The launch is also a great chance to visit the museum and learn more about SKA. The event will feature a display of some of SKA’s traditional handmade Carnival costumes. Kids will enjoy a special cultural scavenger hunt and a coloring station. Light refreshments will also be served.

Free printed copies of SoualiKulture will be given to local schools and students as part of Les Fruits de Mer’s book program. The book is also available as a free download from lesfruitsdemer.com, and for purchase on amazon.com worldwide. Teachers and youth group leaders interested in copies are encouraged to contact Les Fruits de Mer at [email protected]. Companies, organizations or individuals interested in sponsoring copies for schools are also encouraged to contact the association.

This book was produced with the support of the Fonds pour le développement de la vie associative (FDVA).

This project is supported by the Fonds pour le développement de la vie associative (FDVA).

Launch and Free Giveaway For Soualiga Colors This Saturday!

Soualiga Colors is the newest “color and learn” book, starring color names and the colorful nature of St. Martin.

The Les Fruits de Mer association invites the public to the festive launch of a new coloring book, Soualiga Colors. The free launch event will take place from 9am to noon this Saturday, February 15th at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House in French Quarter. The new book celebrates the rich colors found in St. Martin’s plant and animal life. It will be given away for free at the launch. The event will also feature a coloring station, and a craft station where kids and adults can decorate colorful wooden bookmarks to take home.

Soualiga Colors is the latest in the association’s popular Soualiga series of multi-lingual “color and learn” books for young children. Earlier books in the series include Soualiga Island, Soualiga Sea, Soualiga Birds, and Soualiga Creatures.

“English is the most common language here, but this is a very multi-lingual island,” said author Jenn Yerkes. “That’s why our all-volunteer association makes multi-lingual books for kids. In the Soualiga series, everything is in English, French, Spanish and Dutch.”

Soualiga Colors helps kids learn the names for colors while highlighting the spectacular colors of our local nature. An image guide on the back cover has bright photos of all the featured plants and animals. Inside, kids will find two coloring pages for each color name. Each one has a local plant or animal of that color, with the color name in all four languages. Each coloring page is also paired with a page where they can practice writing the color names.

“By showcasing the unique nature of this island, the Soualiga series makes practicing reading and writing fun! St. Martin educators and parents tell us that the local topics help kids connect more with these skills,” said Les Fruits de Mer co-founder Mark Yokoyama. “This series is specially created to help kids practice handwriting. And to help teachers inspire their students to practice it, too!”

“For parents and family members who might speak a different language at home, multi-lingual books give them a way to participate in kids’ education,” added Jenn Yerkes. “And it’s pretty cool to learn the names for colors in different languages!”

The free launch event and book giveaway of Soualiga Colors will be held at Amuseum Naturalis on Saturday, February 15th from 9am to noon, thanks to Delta Petroleum. Amuseum Naturalis is a free museum of nature and heritage located in French Quarter, St. Martin. It is open every day from sunrise to sunset.

The book is also available as a free download from lesfruitsdemer.com, and for purchase on amazon.com worldwide. Teachers and youth group leaders interested in copies are encouraged to contact Les Fruits de Mer at [email protected]. Companies, organizations or individuals interested in sponsoring copies for schools are also encouraged to contact the association.

Free printed copies of Soualiga Colors are being given to local students as part of Les Fruits de Mer’s book giveaway program. This program is supported by Vie Associative and the Politique de la ville de Saint-Martin, implemented by the State and the Collectivité de Saint-Martin, and by Fondation Air France. Soualiga Colors was produced with support from Vie Associative, the Collectivité de Saint-Martin and the Agence nationale de la cohésion des territoires, and from Fondation Air France.

This project is supported by the Collectivité de Saint-Martin and the Agence nationale de la cohésion des territoires, through Vie Associative and Politique de la Ville.
Delta Petroleum is a proud sponsor of Les Fruits de Mer’s book program.

Homemade Games & Toys of St. Martin by Celeste Rollin Beauperthuy Launches Saturday, January 25th at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House

Homemade Games & Toys of St. Martin will launch at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House on Saturday, January 25th from 9am to noon.

The Les Fruits de Mer association is thrilled to launch the new book Homemade Games & Toys of St. Martin by Celeste Rollin Beauperthuy. The public is invited to celebrate this landmark work at the free launch event. It will be held Saturday, January 25th from 9am to noon at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House in French Quarter. Guests will receive a free copy of the book, and the author will be present to sign copies.

“This amazing book reveals the St. Martin of the 1940s and 1950s, when the island was very different,” said book editor Mark Yokoyama. “Children made their own toys with the materials they had, from wood scraps to cashew nuts. They were very creative, and we are very lucky to have a chance to read about it.”

The book includes descriptions and illustrations of over 20 games, toys, traps, ovens and musical instruments handmade in St. Martin. Celeste Rollin Beauperthuy wrote detailed descriptions of the items and how to make them. He also illustrated all of them from memory. In addition, the book shares stories about the items and their use from the author and others.

“This book is an incredible way to explore the cultural heritage of St. Martin,” explained Les Fruits de Mer president Jenn Yerkes. “It’s a window into a lost era, a kid’s-eye view of what it was like to live here at that time. For elders, I’m sure it will bring back memories. For younger generations, it’s a fantastic chance to connect with the past. The excellent instructions and illustrations could even pave the way to bring some of these toys and traditions back to life on the island! Mr. Beauperthuy’s extraordinary work preserves and passes on this special heritage and history in a truly unique way. It is a beautiful gift to his island and his people. And it is also a delight to read!”

Celeste Rollin Beauperthuy is the author of Homemade. (Photo by Ryan Tackling)

The Homemade Games & Toys of St. Martin launch will be at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House on Saturday, January 25th from 9am to noon. Free copies of the book will be given to those who attend the event. The book is also available as a free download at lesfruitsdemer.com, and for sale worldwide at amazon.com.

Free printed copies of Homemade Games & Toys of St. Martin will be given to local schools and students as part of Les Fruits de Mer’s book program. This program is supported by Vie Associative and the Politique de la ville de Saint-Martin, implemented by the State and the Collectivité de Saint-Martin, and by Fondation Air France.

Save the Date: Homemade Launches January 25th

We’re going to be launching an amazing book: Homemade Games and Toys of St. Martin by Celeste Rollin Beauperthuy. The launch will be at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House on Saturday, January 25th from 9am to noon. Guests will receive a free copy of the book and the author will be there to sign them! Put it on your calendar, because you do not want to miss this!

Booktastic!

Booktastic! is different from any other book we’ve made. It’s a workbook we use when teaching people how to make their own educational activity books. We’ve made a lot of books and we’ve learned a lot about making books. It’s a process that anyone can learn. It’s hard work, but it’s fun work. If we want locally-made books about local topics for kids all over the Caribbean — and we do! — then we have to help lots of people learn how to do it. Booktastic! is a start.

Booktastic! Create your own coloring and activity book

Learn how to create your own educational coloring and activity book! The Les Fruits de Mer association has developed educational coloring and activity books with a Caribbean focus for all ages of kids. These are powerful tools to promote education about local subjects. Use this activity book to learn how to develop your own coloring and activity books.

Download the book for free. (PDF, 57 pages)
Buy the book.

 

New Books from 2024!

As we wrap up our year, the Les Fruits de Mer association is proud to have published fourteen new books in 2024! It seems like a lot — maybe too many? — but really there are so many books waiting to be made. This year we had the chance to make coloring books specifically about migratory birds, and the unique animals that live only on St. Martin or only on a few islands in our area. We made our first coloring book with simplified art for younger kids. We published four books that were by St. Martin authors or made in collaboration with people outside our association. We also made a workbook that we use when teaching people how to develop their own activity books. We’ve got many more things in the pipeline for 2025. Until then, check out all our books here: https://www.lesfruitsdemer.com/resources/books/

Super St. Martin OCEAN

Super St. Martin OCEAN! is an activity book all about St. Martin’s sea life. Activity books can be a great way to teach any subject. In this book, each activity builds on the ideas introduced in previous activities to teach all about marine life and habitats. It also shares how the people of St. Martin have been connected to the sea and sea life for centuries.

Super St. Martin OCEAN! Activity Book


Draw, create, color and solve! Explore the amazing undersea world and heritage of the island of St. Martin, with over 100 pages of fun mazes, word games, coloring pages, creative writing activities and more!

Free download. (PDF, 108 pages).
Buy the book.

Find all the books by Les Fruits de Mer here.

Help us give a book to every child on St. Martin every year they are in school. Make a donation today!

Association + Culture

On St. Martin, knowledge and culture have been passed on from generation to generation through oral tradition. Recording oral histories is one way to tap into this tradition and make sure the knowledge isn’t lost. It also makes it possible to share this knowledge with future generations and the world. Association + Culture is a book of oral histories. Members of nonprofit associations talk about the local culture that inspires them and what they do to preserve and share it.

Association+Culture: Speaking of Heritage

Associations are a key part of St. Martin’s cultural landscape. They preserve, document, and share the unique culture of the island. In this book, we share interviews with members of three associations about their cultural work. We learn what inspired them, and how they keep culture alive on St. Martin.

Download the book for free. (PDF, 46 pages)
Buy the book.

 

The Incomplete Guide to the Wildlife of Saint Martin

The Incomplete Guide to the Wildlife of Saint Martin was the first book we published. It covers all kinds of wildlife from bats and birds to insects and snails. Though it is incomplete, it does include hundreds of species. The first wildlife book of its kind for St. Martin, it is a great resource for anyone who wants to learn the local fauna!

The Incomplete Guide to the Wildlife of Saint Martin

2nd-ed-guide-cover-webCalled “the best, and most complete, natural history book I have read about any single Caribbean island” by Dr. James “Skip” Lazell, the updated and expanded second edition of this wildlife guide is a unique volume covering all the terrestrial wildlife of St. Martin, from mammals and birds to reptiles and insects. It includes over 500 color photographs, and features hundreds of species, including those which are found only on St. Martin. The text includes detailed information about both the biology and the local history of the animals featured and is written to be accessible to persons of all ages and backgrounds.
Buy the book.
Download the book for free. (PDF, 130 pages)

Find all the books by Les Fruits de Mer here.

Help us give a book to every child on St. Martin every year they are in school. Make a donation today!

Migratory Birds Around Me

Coloring books are a great way to introduce kids to the special wildlife around them on St. Martin. They can also help teach important ideas. Migratory Birds Around Me showcases many of the migratory birds that spend part of their year on St. Martin. It also explains the concept of migration and illuminates how amazing these birds and their voyages are.

Migratory Birds Around Me: St. Martin Nature Coloring Book and Journal


Birds are everywhere on St. Martin. There are birds on every beach, pond and hill, and in every neighborhood on the island. Wherever you are on St. Martin, you can find a bird. From season to season, you might notice how the birds change. We start hearing the loud calls of the Laughing Gull in April, and they go away in October. Thousands of small, brown shorebirds flock to our beaches and ponds in late summer. They stay for the winter, but leave in spring. These birds are some of our migratory birds. Our migratory birds spend part of the year here and part of the year somewhere else. They travel thousands of miles between North America, South America and the Caribbean. These special birds make amazing journeys. You can see these birds in the wild on our island. You can bring this book with you when you go to find them.

Download the book! (PDF, 75 pages).
Buy the book.

 

St. Martin Sea Life

The sea around St. Martin is rich and beautiful. From mangroves and seagrass beds to coral reefs and the open waters, each habitat is full of animals and more. St. Martin Sea Life visits many different sea habitats and shows what is living there. It’s a great intro to marine life. It’s also a great way for kids to discover, and learn to appreciate, one of St. Martin’s most important resources!

St. Martin Sea Life

Discover the amazing living seas of St. Martin! We are surrounded by unique habitats, from mangroves and seagrass beds to coral reefs and the open ocean. Each one has its own story, and a special group of animals that lives there. Find out what makes each of these underwater places so important, and how every creature has a special role to play in St. Martin’s seas.
Buy the book.
Download the book for free. (PDF, 52 pages)

 

Find all the books by Les Fruits de Mer here.

Help us give a book to every child on St. Martin every year they are in school. Make a donation today!

The Old House

The Old House is one of St. Martin’s most important historical buildings. Dating back to 1766, the history of the house reflects much of the history of the island. The building itself features many classic building techniques used in days gone by. Take a closer look at this heritage house in the book The Old House.

The Old House

Learn about The Old House in French Quarter, St. Martin. The 250-year history of this home reflects the history and culture of the island itself. Its design and craftsmanship showcase the talents of St. Martin builders and artisans. Since the year 2000, The Old House has been a museum, preserving and sharing the island’s heritage.
Download the book for free. (PDF, 42 pages)
Buy the book.

Endemics Around Me

There are some plants and animals that live only on St. Martin. Many more only live here and on a few nearby islands. They are amazing and special, but kids don’t necessarily learn about them in school. Everyone can get to know them in Endemics Around Me, a coloring book and nature journal about plants and animals that are endemic to our island or our part of the Caribbean.

Endemics Around Me: St. Martin Nature Coloring Book and Journal


St. Martin is full of amazing animals and plants. Some of them live only on St. Martin. They don’t live anywhere else in the world! Other animals and plants live only in our part of the Caribbean. That makes them special. We are lucky that we are able to see them. Scientists use the word “endemic” for animals and plants that live only in a certain place. Something is endemic to St. Martin if it lives only on our island. A plant or animal can also be endemic to just a few islands, or just our part of the Caribbean, the Lesser Antilles. This book is full of things that live only on St. Martin, or only in our part of the Caribbean. Every time you see them, you know you live somewhere special and unique!

Download the book! (PDF, 91 pages).
Buy the book.

Soualiga Sea

Dive into the Caribbean sea and see who’s living there. Soualiga Sea is perfect for kids learning to read and write. Since St. Martin is a melting pot of nationalities, this book is quadrilingual: English, French, Spanish and Dutch. This gives kids a chance to learn in several languages. It also gives parents and kids a chance to connect, even if the parents don’t speak the language used in their kids’ school.

Soualiga: Sea • Mer • Mar • Zee


Soualiga is an Amerindian name for the island of St. Martin. Many languages are spoken on this island. You can use this book to learn words in four of these languages! In this book, you’ll find the English, French, Spanish and Dutch names for St. Martin sea animals. There is a drawing of each sea animal for you to color. Each drawing has the animal’s name in all four languages. There is also a place for you to practice writing the names of each animal.

Free download. (PDF, 49 pages).
Buy the book.

Find all the books by Les Fruits de Mer here.

Help us give a book to every child on St. Martin every year they are in school. Make a donation today!

6 Poems by Lasana M. Sekou

6 Poems by Lasana M. Sekou is St. Martin poetry for St. Martin youth. We produced this trilingual English-French-Spanish edition with the generous permission of author Lasana M. Sekou and House of Nehesi Publishers. Featuring some fantastic new translations by Alex Richards and Fabian Badejo, this collection makes local literature more accessible. We’ve distributed over 1000 copies to students on St. Martin.

6 Poems by Lasana M. Sekou

Discover the magic of St. Martin poetry and celebrate the unique heritage of this island with 6 Poems by Lasana M. Sekou, the first companion edition to the poetry exhibition project of Amuseum Naturalis. Presented in English, French and Spanish, these poems are a perfect introduction to the poetry and literature of St. Martin.
Download the book for free. (PDF, 36 pages)
Buy the book.

Animals Around Me

What if Caribbean kids could get coloring books featuring the animals found on their island? Animals Around Me is a coloring book full of animals that live on St. Martin that kids can see around them in real life. It’s also a nature journal, so kids can make their own observations and drawings of local wildlife.

Animals Around Me: St. Martin Wildlife Coloring Book and Nature Journal


Get to know the native animals of St. Martin! Find out their names, where they live and what they do. Learn what they look like by coloring and drawing them. Study them in the wild and make notes in your nature journal.
Download the book! (PDF, 97 pages).
Buy the book.

Animaux Autour de Moi : Livre de coloriage et journal de la nature sur les animaux de Saint-Martin

Apprends à connaître les animaux natifs de Saint-Martin ! Découvre leurs noms, où ils vivent et ce qu’ils font. Apprends à quoi ils ressemblent en les coloriant et en les dessinant. Observe-les dans la nature et note tes remarques dans ton journal de la nature.

Téléchargez une copie gratuite. (PDF, 97 pages).
Achetez une copie.

 

Find all the books by Les Fruits de Mer here.

Help us give a book to every child on St. Martin every year they are in school. Make a donation today!

Découvrez tous les livres Les Fruits de Mer ici.

Aidez-nous à donner un livre à chaque enfant à Saint-Martin, chaque année d’école. Faites un don aujourd’hui !

Incredibilia!

Looking for something incredibly fun and incredibly interesting? Check out Incredibilia! and the Incredibilia! Activity Book. They feature amazing true stories about St. Martin nature that will astound you!

Incredibilia!


On the island of St. Martin, nature is all around. And it’s full of really wild mysteries! Every bird you see has a story. Every tree you pass holds hidden surprises. This book reveals some of the secrets and superpowers of our local plants and animals! Discover page after page of cool facts, lost histories, and amazing abilities. Explore some very curious skills and behaviors. And learn how nature really works behind the scenes! How does a fish stay safe at night? How does a heron keep clean? How does a bug feed her babies? Find out, with this inside look at the adaptations that help wild things survive and thrive on this special island!
Buy the book.
Download the book! (PDF, 45 pages).

 

Incredibilia! Activity Book


On the island of St. Martin, nature is all around. And it’s full of really wild mysteries! Every bird you see has a story. Every tree you pass holds hidden surprises. This book reveals some of the secrets and superpowers of our local plants and animals!

Discover page after page of cool facts, lost histories, and amazing abilities. Explore some very curious skills and behaviors. And learn how nature really works behind the scenes! How does a fish stay safe at night? How does a heron keep clean? How does a bug feed her babies? Find out, with this inside look at the adaptations that help wild things survive and thrive on this special island!

Buy the book.
Download the book for free. (PDF, 86 pages)

 

Find all the books by Les Fruits de Mer here.

Help us give a book to every child on St. Martin every year they are in school. Make a donation today!

Plantilles

Interested in plants and plant traditions on St. Martin? Dig into Plantilles: Plants of St. Martin! Learn about traditional agriculture and plant medicine, how plants help protect us, and much more!

Plantilles: Plants of St. Martin

Plantilles is a book about plants and plant traditions on St. Martin. It tells the stories of native plants and how they survive on the island, farming and bush medicine traditions and the importance of plants in culture. It also includes a guide to local flowers.
Buy the book.
Download the book! (PDF, 95 pages).

Find all the books by Les Fruits de Mer here.

Help us give a book to every child on St. Martin every year they are in school. Make a donation today!

Super St. Martin

What’s fun, educational, and all about St. Martin? It’s not a riddle, it’s Super St. Martin. This activity book has over 100 pages of fun activities about St. Martin nature.

Super St. Martin! Activity Book


Get set to draw, create, color and solve! This unique bilingual activity book invites young people to explore and celebrate the amazing nature and heritage of the island of St. Martin. There’s over 100 pages of discovery and fun! It’s bursting with mazes, word games, coloring pages, creative writing and drawing activities, and much more. Every activity is in both English and French, so it’s also a great tool for language learners. Over 150 of this special island’s plants and animals are featured, including some that are found only on St. Martin, and nowhere else on the planet!

Free download. (PDF, 108 pages).
Buy the book.

Find all the books by Les Fruits de Mer here.

Help us give a book to every child on St. Martin every year they are in school. Make a donation today!

Suddenly, Sargassum!

Ever wonder why the Caribbean was suddenly invaded by huge amounts of sargassum? Treat yourself to the answer! Get your copy of Suddenly, Sargassum! and find out why this strange seaweed is here and what it is doing to the region.

Suddenly, Sargassum

In 2011, a floating seaweed called sargassum landed in huge amounts on the shores of St. Martin and other Caribbean islands for the first time in history. Since then, it has come almost every year, changing beaches and seas.

What is sargassum? Why is it washing up on St. Martin’s beaches? How does it impact life on land and sea? What can be done about it?

Learn all this and more in Suddenly, Sargassum!

Buy the book.
Download the book! (PDF, 53 pages).

 

Soualikids Island!

Looking for a great gift for young kids? Share the amazing wildlife of St. Martin with them in four languages! Get the Soualikids Island picture book and the Soualikids Island Coloring Book and share the magic of nature together!

Soualikids: Island • Île • Isla • Eiland

Soualikids Island
This word book invites kids to explore the amazing nature on Soualiga, the island of St. Martin! Inside, they can discover local animals and learn their names in four of the many languages spoken here. Big, bright photos show little ones their island’s unique wildlife. And animal names in English, French, Spanish and Dutch help them build early word skills about the special place where they live!

Soualikids Île
Ce livre de mots invite les kids à explorer la nature étonnante de Soualiga, l’île de Saint-Martin ! À l’intérieur, ils peuvent découvrir les animaux locaux et apprendre leurs noms dans quatre des nombreuses langues parlées ici. De grandes photos éclatantes illustrent aux enfants la faune unique de leur île. Et les noms d’animaux en anglais, français, espagnol et néerlandais les aident à acquérir la base du vocabulaire pour décrire l’environnement exceptionnel dans lequel ils vivent !

Soualikids Isla
¡Este libro de palabras invita a los niños a explorar la increíble naturaleza de Soualiga, la isla de San Martín! En el interior, pueden descubrir animales locales y aprender sus nombres en cuatro de los muchos idiomas que se hablan aquí. Las fotos grandes y brillantes muestran a los más pequeños la fauna única de su isla. ¡Y los nombres de animales en inglés, francés, español y holandés les ayudan a desarrollar habilidades tempranas de palabras sobre el lugar especial en el que viven!

Soualikids Eiland
Dit woordenboek nodigt kinderen uit om de prachtige natuur van Soualiga, het eiland St. Martin, te ontdekken! Kinderen kunnen in dit boek kennismaken met lokale dieren en hun namen leren in vier van de vele talen die hier worden gesproken. Grote, levendige foto’s laten de kleintjes de unieke fauna van hun eiland zien. Dierennamen in het Engels, Frans, Spaans en Nederlands helpen ze om al vroeg woordvaardigheden op te bouwen over de speciale plek waar ze wonen!

Free download. (PDF, 46 pages).
Buy the book.

Soualikids: Island • Île • Isla • Eiland Coloring Book

Color and learn the names of animals on the island of St. Martin in English, French, Spanish and Dutch!

Colorie et apprends les noms des animaux de l’île de Saint-Martin en anglais, français, espagnol et néerlandais !

¡Colorea y aprende los nombres de los animales de la isla de San Martín en inglés, francés, español y holandés!

Kleur en leer de namen van dieren op het eiland St. Martin in het Engels, Frans, Spaans en Nederlands!

Free download. (PDF, 49 pages).
Buy the book.

Wild Things Activity Book

Looking for a great holiday gift for a young person? Wild Things is a fun activity book about St. Martin’s amazing wildlife. Learn about animals that live nowhere else in the world, explore caves and freshwater streams and find out how recently arrived species are changing the island. Explore the island of St. Martin and its amazing wildlife, with over 100 pages of fascinating discoveries, mazes, word games, quiz games, coloring pages, creative writing activities and more!

Wild Things! Animals of St. Martin Activity Book

Get to know the wild things of St. Martin! This entertaining overview of St. Martin’s land and freshwater wildlife will take you all over the island. Discover the unique animals living on the island of St. Martin. Learn about animals that live nowhere else in the world, explore caves and freshwater streams and find out how recently arrived species are changing the island. Explore the island of St. Martin and its amazing wildlife, with over 100 pages of fascinating discoveries, mazes, word games, quiz games, coloring pages, creative writing activities and more!

Découvrez les histoires incroyables de la faune de Saint-Martin! Apprenez à connaître les animaux qui ne vivent qu’ici, les nouveaux arrivants qui changent l’île, les bestioles qui crient la nuit et bien plus encore ! Explore l’île de Saint-Martin et sa faune formidable, avec plus de 100 pages de découvertes fascinantes, de labyrinthes, de jeux de mots, de quiz, de coloriages, d’activités d’écriture créative et plus encore !

Download the book! (PDF, 108 pages).
Buy the book.

Les Fruits de Mer Association Launches New Local Wildlife Activity Book this Saturday with Free Giveaway Funded by Fondation Air France

The Wild Things! Animals of St. Martin Activity Book launches Saturday, November 30th from 9am to noon at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House.

The Les Fruits de Mer association is launching a new bilingual book about St. Martin wildlife, Wild Things! Animals of St. Martin Activity Book. People of all ages are invited to celebrate the new book at the free launch event. It will be held from 9am to noon this Saturday, November 30th at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House. Free copies of the new book will be given to the public during the launch, thanks to funding from Fondation Air France. There will be a coloring station to start enjoying all the wonderful activities in the book. Light refreshments will be served, and the Amuseum’s exhibits and gardens will be there to discover.

“This book tells many of the big stories about St. Martin wildlife,” said co-author Mark Yokoyama. “It showcases animals that live only here, and explains why that is. It explores the night world of the island and its creatures. It takes the reader into caves and streams to see what is living there.”

The new activity book was created as a companion to Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House. Students visiting the museum on class trips will each receive a copy to use during and after their visit. The book was made with support from Fondation Air France, which also funded the books for students on class trips and the free books for the launch event. It is part of the Les Fruits de Mer association’s larger Island of Discovery project, funded by Fondation Air France. This major transboundary project was created by the all-volunteer association to boost education about local nature, heritage and culture on both sides of the island.

The book is bilingual in English and French, and has eight sections. Each section teaches a concept about local wildlife or describes a habitat, and spotlights a selection of related animals. There are also creative activities and quizzes in each section. The book itself is over 100 pages of learning and fun.

“We are really excited to launch this book, and very grateful for the support of Fondation Air France who made this book and much more possible!” said co-author and Les Fruits de Mer President Jenn Yerkes. “This is our first major project that is bringing books for all ages, museum visits and more to thousands of kids on both sides of St. Martin. We couldn’t have done this without them!”

Since 1992, Fondation Air France has funded close to 1680 projects in 80 countries served by the airline company. It partners with associations on projects that impact children and youth, with a focus on educational, environmental, and humanitarian projects. The foundation is funding the Les Fruits de Mer project Island of Discovery on St. Martin.

The Wild Things! Animals of St. Martin Activity Book launch will be at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House on Saturday, November 30th from 9am to noon. Free copies of the book will be given to those who attend the launch. The book is also available as a free download at lesfruitsdemer.com, and for sale worldwide at amazon.com.

Fondation Air France funded the creation and distribution of the Wild Things! Animals of St. Martin Activity Book.

Two Fun New Nature Books Launch With Free Giveaway This Saturday!

Incredibilia! 2 and the companion Incredibilia! 2 Activity Book are new books full of fun stories about local nature.

The Les Fruits de Mer association invites the public to celebrate the double launch of Incredibilia! 2 and the companion Incredibilia! 2 Activity Book. These two new books are the latest in the association’s popular Incredibilia! series about St. Martin nature. The free launch event will be held this Saturday, October 26 from 9am to noon at Amuseum Naturalis. There will be a coloring station and an art activity where kids and adults can enjoy decorating bags with some of the local wildlife featured in the books. Free copies of both books will be given away at the event.

Each book in the Incredibilia! series reveals the wild secrets and superpowers of 20 plants and animals found here. Incredibilia! 2 pairs the 20 fascinating nature stories with bright color photos. The Incredibilia! 2 Activity Book pairs the stories with coloring pages, as well as fun mazes, word games, and creative writing activities. At the request of St. Martin educators, the association now creates an activity book to accompany each Incredibilia! photo and story book.

“Nature is all around us on St. Martin,” said author Jenn Yerkes. “And there are amazing things to discover about it, like how the Green Heron uses tools. And which bat can make a tent from a tree!” These incredible true nature stories also inspire the activities in the activity book, she adds. “One writing activity invites you to imagine what would happen if your mouth had drilling superpowers like the Antillean Carpenter Bee, and write a story about it!”

The new books are both bilingual in English and French.

Both books are bilingual in English and French, and bursting with natural and cultural heritage. The stories in the new books draw on selections from Yerkes’ popular weekly St. Martin nature series “Le saviez-vous ?” published in Le Pélican. The French parts of the books were edited thanks to the editing team of Le Pélican.

Free printed copies of both new books will be given away, thanks to Vie Associative and the Politique de la ville de Saint-Martin. The giveaways will be offered at the launch, along with coloring and the art activity. The free event will be held on Saturday, October 26 at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House in French Quarter from 9am to noon.

At the October 26th free launch event, kids and adults can decorate bags with local wildlife featured in the new books.

The new books are also both available as free downloads from https://lesfruitsdemer.com, and for purchase on amazon.com worldwide. Teachers and youth group leaders interested in copies are encouraged to contact Les Fruits de Mer at [email protected]. Companies, organizations or individuals interested in sponsoring copies for schools are also encouraged to contact the association.

Free printed copies of both new Incredibilia! books will also be given to local schools as part of Les Fruits de Mer’s book giveaway program. This program is supported by Vie Associative and the Politique de la ville de Saint-Martin, implemented by the State and the Collectivité de Saint-Martin, and by Fondation Air France. Both books were produced with support from Vie Associative, the Collectivité de Saint-Martin and the Agence nationale de la cohésion des territoires.

This project is supported by the Collectivité de Saint-Martin and the Agence nationale de la cohésion des territoires, through Vie Associative and Politique de la Ville.

Les Fruits de Mer Association Launches Huge Local Education Project on Both Sides of St. Martin with Funding from Fondation Air France

The Island of Discovery project will distribute over 8,000 books across both sides of the island.

The all-volunteer Les Fruits de Mer association is thrilled to announce the launch of Island of Discovery, a new project that will boost education about local nature, heritage and culture. The project will reach thousands of students on both sides of the island in the coming year. The €40,900 project is funded by Fondation Air France. It includes class visits to Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House and the distribution of thousands of books about St. Martin to students.

“Our volunteer team is so excited to take our education programs island-wide!” said Les Fruits de Mer president Jenn Yerkes. “We’ve had great success on the French side, but St. Martin is one island and this project brings our local education programs to the Dutch side in a big way. It is the biggest transboundary education project we know of on this island, and the funding from Fondation Air France makes it possible.”

The Island of Discovery project includes funding for class visits to Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House for classes from both sides of the island. On the French side, this new project will build on the association’s existing subvention-funded school book program to also give books to other associations and organizations that work with kids. On the Dutch side, the project will fund books for all primary school students and some secondary school students. Over 8,000 books about St. Martin will be distributed as part of this project.

Fondation Air France is funding the Island of Discovery project.

The project also includes the distribution of educational banners and the publication of a fun new activity book for students who visit Amuseum Naturalis. The new book will be based on museum exhibits, to reinforce the learning that happens during class visits.

The Island of Discovery project funds class visits to Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House.

“For years, we have been hearing from the community that learning about St. Martin’s nature, heritage, and culture is a necessity, but that it is not very present in the curriculum on either side of the island..That’s what this program is all about,” said Les Fruits de Mer co-founder Mark Yokoyama. “We want the next generation to know St. Martin and love St. Martin. For us, that means getting materials about this island in the hands of every single student. We are grateful to Fondation Air France for helping us cross boundaries and expand this vision.”

The Les Fruits de Mer association has published over 40 books about St. Martin nature, heritage, and culture. They include oral histories, and works created in partnership with Lasana M. Sekou and Lady Ruby Bute. In 2023, the association distributed over 15,000 books for free, giving at least one book to every student and teacher in public school on the French side of the island. It has also offered free class visits to Amuseum Naturalis since 2016.

Since 1992, Fondation Air France has funded close to 1680 projects in 80 countries served by the airline company. It partners with associations on projects that impact children and youth, with a focus on educational, environmental, and humanitarian projects.

The Les Fruits de Mer association is thrilled to launch an island-wide local education program with support from Fondation Air France.

2023 Book Program Gave 15,000 Books About St. Martin to Students, Teachers and the Public

The Les Fruits de Mer book program distributed over 15,000 books about St. Martin to students, teachers and the public in 2023.

The Les Fruits de Mer association is delighted to announce the success of their 2023 book program. The goal of the annual program is to create educational books about the island of St. Martin and give them to students, teachers, and the public. In 2023, the program met several key milestones and reached new heights.

“In 2023, we were able to distribute at least one book to every single student and teacher in all the public schools on the French side, from preschool through high school, which is really groundbreaking!” said association President Jenn Yerkes. “We distributed over 15,000 books in total last year.”

To date, the all-volunteer association has published over 40 books about St. Martin nature, heritage, and culture. Books have been developed for every age group, allowing children to receive a different book every year they are in school from age 3-18.

“If you want to give kids a book every school year, then you need a different book for each year,” said association co-founder Mark Yokoyama. “Developing quality books for every age group has been a huge task for the association. But we now have at least one book available for every grade, so that’s a major milestone for us!”

Books developed for this program include coloring and activity books, books about nature and heritage, collections of oral histories, and poetry and literature. In addition to the books developed by association members, there are four books by St. Martin authors, and two collections of oral history interviews with St. Martiners. All of the books are about this island, and all are available in English and French. Many are quadrilingual, with text also in Spanish and Dutch.

The program has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from teachers, students, and parents. Some of the new books developed for the program came from ideas suggested by teachers and students.

The 2023 book program was supported by the Politique de la ville de Saint-Martin, implemented by the State and the Collectivité de Saint-Martin, the Vie Associative service of Saint-Martin, the Cité Éducative de Saint-Martin, a grant from the Office français de la biodiversité, and the Fonds pour le Développement de la Vie Associative. The book program was also supported by private donations and the help of dozens of dedicated volunteers.

The Les Fruits de Mer association is currently working on their 2024 book program. New books are in development to cover more aspects of St. Martin’s culture and heritage and target new areas of learning. The association also hopes to build towards covering all students and teachers on both sides of the island. Local businesses or individuals interested in supporting the program are encouraged to contact the association at [email protected]. For more information about the program, and free downloads of the books, visit lesfruitsdemer.com.

The book program is supported in Sandy Ground by the Cité Éducative de Saint-Martin.
The book program is supported by the Collectivité de Saint-Martin and the Agence nationale de la cohésion des territoires
The book program is supported by FDVA (Fonds pour le Développement de la Vie Associative).
The book program is supported by the Office of Biodiversity of France, thanks to a micro-grant from Te Me Um, a program from the Office of Biodiversity of France to support biodiversity in French overseas territories (TErres et MErs UltraMarines).

New Oral History Book Launches Saturday at Amuseum Naturalis

The new oral history book Association+Culture launches Saturday, June 22nd from 9am to noon at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House.

The Les Fruits de Mer association will be launching a new book of oral histories at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House this Saturday. The book, Association+Culture: Speaking of Heritage, features members of three non-profit associations. Across ten interviews, they discuss their cultural inspirations and how they work to preserve and share St. Martin heritage. The public is invited to enjoy the free book launch event, which will be held from 9am to noon. Attendees can take home a free copy of the book, which is bilingual in English and French.

“Much of St. Martin’s heritage has been passed down through oral traditions,” said Jenn Yerkes, one of the book’s editors. “Oral histories are a great way to record and share cultural information. We are especially excited to share the stories of people who are active promoters of local culture!”

The book presents interviews with members of three St. Martin associations: Soualiwomen Kultural Association (SKA), Good Friends Association, and the Roland Richardson Heritage Association. On St. Martin, associations are some of the most important heritage groups, and do key cultural work here. Their essential role on this island is highlighted in the book.

“The two biggest themes in this book are people being inspired by St. Martin heritage and culture, and people coming together to share St. Martin traditions,” said co-editor Mark Yokoyama. “Associations are vital platforms for this activity. They are a vibrant and indispensable part of life on St. Martin. We are delighted to celebrate these groups, their members, and their stories.”

This book was made possible by a grant from FDVA (Fonds pour le Développement de la Vie Associative). It is a collaboration between the Les Fruits de Mer association and the associations showcased in the book. In addition to the copies offered at the book launch event, copies will be distributed to schools and distributed by the featured associations.

The Association+Culture book launch will be held 9am to noon on Saturday, June 22nd at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House in French Quarter. Attendees will receive a free copy of the book. For more information, or to download the book for free, visit lesfruitsdemer.com.

Association+Culture was made possible by a grant from FDVA (Fonds pour le Développement de la Vie Associative).

Launch and Free Giveaway of Two New Nature Books this Saturday!

Soualikids Creatures is a multilingual word book with bright photos of St. Martin creatures.

The public is invited to celebrate the launch of two new nature books produced by the Les Fruits de Mer association! The free launch event will be held 9am to noon this Saturday, May 4th at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House. The two new books are the latest in the popular Soualikids children’s series, Soualikids Creatures and Soualkids Creatures Coloring Book. They showcase this island’s insects and other little creatures. These two books will be given away for free at the event, which will feature a coloring station. The author and photographer will be present for book signing.

The Les Fruits de Mer association developed the Soualikids series based on requests from St. Martin educators and parents for materials about this island for toddlers and pre-school age kids. Each book in the series is a quadrilingual word book, in four of the many languages spoken here: English, French, Spanish and Dutch. The goal of the series is to highlight St. Martin nature, culture, and heritage, to help little kids build early word skills about the special place where they live.

“The series is called ‘Soualikids’ because it was created for the kids of St. Martin, and Soualiga is one of the Amerindian names for this island,” explained author Jenn Yerkes. “The nature books in this series are designed in pairs: a first book with wildlife photos, and a second companion book with fun coloring pages of the same wildlife. We’re thrilled to launch this third pair of books, which stars the incredible insects and other little critters that kids can see here on St. Martin!”

Soualikids Creatures is a “look and learn” picture book, with colorful photos of captivating local creatures. The companion Soualikids Creatures Coloring Book is a “color and learn” book with two fun coloring pages for each of the creatures. It also has a visual guide on the back cover with vivid photos of all the featured creatures. Both books include creature names in all four languages.

“Adults can share these books with little kids, to help them build their vocabulary and discover the cool creatures on their own island!” said Mark Yokoyama, co-founder of the Les Fruits de Mer association. “We’ll be giving free printed copies of both of these books to local preschools as part of Les Fruits de Mer’s 2024 book giveaway program. And more Soualikids books are on the way that spotlight island nature, art and culture!”

Soualikids Creatures Coloring Book has two fun coloring pages for each creature, and creature names in four languages.

The free launch event and book giveaway will be held at Amuseum Naturalis on Saturday, Saturday, May 4th from 9am to noon thanks to event sponsor Delta Petroleum. Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House is a free museum of nature and heritage located in French Quarter, St. Martin. It is open every day from sunrise to sunset.

Both new books are also available as free downloads from lesfruitsdemer.com, and for purchase on amazon.com worldwide. Teachers and youth group leaders interested in copies are encouraged to contact Les Fruits de Mer at [email protected]. Companies, organizations or individuals interested in sponsoring copies for schools are also encouraged to contact the association.

Les Fruits de Mer’s 2024 book giveaway program is supported by the Politique de la ville de Saint-Martin, implemented by the State and the Collectivité de Saint-Martin, the Vie Associative service of Saint-Martin, and the Cité Éducative de Saint-Martin. Soualikids Creatures and Soualikids Creatures Coloring Book were produced with support from the Collectivité de Saint-Martin and the Agence nationale de la cohésion des territoires.

Distribution of Soualikids Creatures and Soualikids Creatures Coloring Book to students in Sandy Ground is supported by the Cité Éducative de Saint-Martin.
This project is supported by the Collectivité de Saint-Martin and the Agence nationale de la cohésion des territoires.
Delta Petroleum is a proud sponsor of Les Fruits de Mer’s book giveaway program.

Launch and Free Giveaway For New Coloring Book This Saturday!

For each creature, there is a coloring page, and space to practice writing its name in four of the languages spoken on this island.

The Les Fruits de Mer association invites the public to celebrate the launch of a new coloring book, Soualiga Creatures. The free launch event will take place from 9am to noon this Saturday, March 16th at Amuseum Naturalis in French Quarter. The new book spotlights the incredible insects and other little creatures of St. Martin. It will be given away for free at the launch. The event will also feature a coloring station, and a craft station where kids and adults can decorate creature-themed fabric bags. The author will be present for book signing.

Soualiga Creatures is the latest in the association’s popular Soualiga series of multi-lingual “color and learn” books for young children. Earlier books in the series include Soualiga Island, Soualiga Sea, and Soualiga Birds. Future topics planned for the series include St. Martin plants and heritage.

“Soualiga is one of the Amerindian names for St. Martin,” said author Jenn Yerkes. “English is the most common language spoken on this island. But it’s been a richly multi-lingual place for a very long time! That’s why our association makes multi-lingual books for the kids here. In the Soualiga series, everything is in English, French, Spanish and Dutch.”

Soualiga Creatures stars some of the tiniest of St. Martin’s amazing animals, especially insects. It’s a great look at the fascinating little critters that fly, crawl, glide and jump around on this island. There is a visual guide on the back cover with vivid color photos of all the featured creatures. This encourages kids to learn what they look like, and spot them in the wild. Inside, kids will find a coloring page for each creature with its name in all four languages. Each one also has a page where they can practice writing the names of the creature.

Soualiga Creatures is the newest “color and learn” book, starring the little creatures of St. Martin.

“Reading and writing are key skills for everyone. This series makes it fun to learn them by showcasing wildlife from this island that kids can see around them, or discover through the books. We hear from St. Martin educators and parents that the local topics help kids connect more with reading and writing,” said Les Fruits de Mer co-founder Mark Yokoyama. “This series is especially designed to inspire kids to practice handwriting. And to give teachers a great tool to encourage their students to practice it, too!”

“With multi-lingual books, parents and family members who might speak a different language at home can participate in kids’ education,” added Jenn Yerkes. “Plus, it’s fun for everyone to learn creature names in different languages!”

The free launch event and book giveaway of Soualiga Creatures will be held at Amuseum Naturalis on Saturday, March 16th from 9am to noon, thanks to Delta Petroleum. Amuseum Naturalis is a free museum of nature and heritage located in French Quarter, St. Martin. It is open every day from sunrise to sunset.

The book is also available as a free download from https://lesfruitsdemer.com, and for purchase on amazon.com worldwide. Teachers and youth group leaders interested in copies are encouraged to contact Les Fruits de Mer at [email protected]. Companies, organizations or individuals interested in sponsoring copies for schools are also encouraged to contact the association.

Free printed copies of Soualiga Creatures are being given to local schools and students as part of Les Fruits de Mer’s 2024 book giveaway program.This project is supported by the Politique de la ville de Saint-Martin, implemented by the State and the Collectivité de Saint-Martin. Distribution of this book to students in Sandy Ground is supported by the Cité Éducative de Saint-Martin. Soualiga Creatures was produced with support from the Collectivité de Saint-Martin and the Agence nationale de la cohésion des territoires.

Distribution of Soualiga Creatures to students in Sandy Ground is supported by the Cité Éducative de Saint-Martin.
This project is supported by the Collectivité de Saint-Martin and the Agence nationale de la cohésion des territoires.
Delta Petroleum is a proud sponsor of Les Fruits de Mer’s book giveaway program.

Launch and Free Giveaway of Two New Bird Books this Saturday!

Soualikids Birds is a multilingual word book with bright photos of St. Martin birds.

The public is invited to celebrate the launch of two new books in the Soualikids children’s series produced by the Les Fruits de Mer association! The free launch event will take place from 9am to noon this Saturday, February 10th at Amuseum Naturalis in French Quarter. The two new books in the series, Soualikids Birds and Soualkids Birds Coloring Book, star St. Martin’s birds. These two books will be given away for free at the event, which will feature a coloring station. The author and photographer will be present for book signing.

The Les Fruits de Mer association developed the Soualikids series based on requests from St. Martin educators and parents for materials about this island for toddlers and pre-school age kids. Each book in the series is a quadrilingual word book, in four of the many languages spoken here: English, French, Spanish and Dutch. The goal of the series is to highlight St. Martin nature, culture, and heritage, to help little kids build early word skills about the special place where they live.

“The series is called ‘Soualikids’ because it was created for the kids of St. Martin, and Soualiga is one of the Amerindian names for this island,” explained author Jenn Yerkes. “The nature books in this series are designed in pairs: a first book with wildlife photos, and a second companion book with fun coloring pages of the same wildlife. We’re so excited to launch the second pair of books, which showcase amazing birds that kids can see here on St. Martin!”

Soualikids Birds is a full-color “look and learn” picture book, full of colorful photos of fabulous local birds. The companion Soualikids Birds Coloring Book is a “color and learn” book with two fun coloring pages for each of the birds. It also has a visual guide on the back cover with bright photos of all the birds presented. Both books include bird names in all four languages.

Soualikids Birds Coloring Book has two fun coloring pages for each animal, and bird names in four languages.

“Adults can share these books with little kids, to help them build their vocabulary and discover the incredible birds on their own island!” said Mark Yokoyama, co-founder of the Les Fruits de Mer association. “We’ll be giving free printed copies of both of these books to local preschools as part of Les Fruits de Mer’s 2024 book giveaway program. And more Soualikids books are on the way that spotlight island creatures, and St. Martin art and culture!”

The free launch event and book giveaway will be held at Amuseum Naturalis on Saturday, Saturday, February 10th from 9am to noon. Amuseum Naturalis is a free museum of nature and heritage located in French Quarter, St. Martin. It is open every day from sunrise to sunset.

Both new books are also available as free downloads from https://lesfruitsdemer.com, and for purchase on amazon.com worldwide. Teachers and youth group leaders interested in copies are encouraged to contact Les Fruits de Mer at [email protected]. Companies, organizations or individuals interested in sponsoring copies for schools are also encouraged to contact the association.

Les Fruits de Mer’s 2024 book giveaway program is supported by the Politique de la ville de Saint-Martin, implemented by the State and the Collectivité de Saint-Martin. Soualikids Birds and Soualikids Birds Coloring Book were produced with support from the Collectivité de Saint-Martin and the Agence nationale de la cohésion des territoires.

This project is supported by the Collectivité de Saint-Martin and the Agence nationale de la cohésion des territoires.

New Activity Book Launches With Free Giveaway This Saturday!

Incredibilia! Activity Book is a new book of fun facts and activities about local nature.

The Les Fruits de Mer association invites the public to the launch of the first Incredibilia! Activity Book, a new book of fun facts and activities about local nature. The free, festive launch event will be held this Saturday, December 23 from 9am to noon at Amuseum Naturalis. It will feature cookie decorating and an art activity station. Kids and adults will enjoy personalizing wood ornaments in the shapes of St. Martin wildlife. Free copies of both the new Incredibilia! Activity Book and the original Incredibilia! book will be given away at the event.

The new Incredibilia! Activity Book is bilingual in French and English, with 80 pages of amazing St. Martin nature stories, mazes, word games, coloring pages, and creative writing activities. The association created the new book in response to the requests of St. Martin educators to expand the original Incredibilia! book into a coloring and activity book.

“On this island, we’re surrounded by nature,” said author Jenn Yerkes. “And there are really cool things to discover about it, like why a caterpillar would eat poison. And which bird has a built-in comb in its foot!” These incredible true nature stories are the perfect inspiration for the activities in the book, she adds. “One writing activity invites you to imagine what would happen if you would walk up walls like a gecko, and write a story about it!”

The book is bilingual in English and French.

The Incredibilia! Activity Book draws on selections from Yerkes’ popular weekly St. Martin nature series “Le saviez-vous ?” published in Le Pélican. The French parts of the book were edited thanks to the editing team of Le Pélican.

“It’s packed with fascinating natural and cultural heritage as well as fun activities,” said Mark Yokoyama, co-founder of Les Fruits de Mer. “And it makes a great holiday gift,” added Yerkes. “So pass by and get a free copy at the Amuseum this Saturday morning!”

Free copies of the new Incredibilia! Activity Book and the original Incredibilia! will be given away, thanks to Vie Associative and the Politique de la ville de Saint-Martin. The giveaways will be offered at the launch, along with coloring, art activities and cookie decorating. The free event will be held on Saturday, December 23rd at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House in French Quarter from 9am to noon.

The launch’s free art activities include decorating ornaments in the shapes of St. Martin wildlife.

The book is also available as a free download from https://lesfruitsdemer.com, and for purchase on amazon.com worldwide. Teachers and youth group leaders interested in copies are encouraged to contact Les Fruits de Mer at [email protected]. Companies, organizations or individuals interested in sponsoring copies for schools are also encouraged to contact the association.

Free printed copies of the Incredibilia! Activity Book will also be given to local schools as part of Les Fruits de Mer’s 2023 book giveaway program. This project is supported by Vie Associative and the Politique de la ville de Saint-Martin, implemented by the State and the Collectivité de Saint-Martin. The Incredibilia! Activity Book was produced with support from Vie Associative, the Collectivité de Saint-Martin and the Agence nationale de la cohésion des territoires.

This project is supported by the Collectivité de Saint-Martin and the Agence nationale de la cohésion des territoires, through Vie Associative and Politique de la Ville.

New Book Highlights The Old House as a Place of Heritage and History

The Old House is a new bilingual book by the Les Fruits de Mer association about The Old House, an 18th century home in French Quarter.

Overlooking Coconut Grove in French Quarter, The Old House has been a part of St. Martin’s history for over 250 years. Very few buildings from its era survive today. A new bilingual book by the Les Fruits de Mer association, The Old House, highlights this landmark and the stories that surround it.

“In many ways, The Old House itself represents the story of St. Martin,” explained Les Fruits de Mer co-founder Mark Yokoyama. “The building showcases the craftsmanship of many generations of St. Martiners, from those who laid the foundations in the 1700s to those who did carpentry, tile and cement work in the last century.”

The book includes a historical look at The Old House, which reflects the history of the island. During the colonial period, a variety of crops were raised by enslaved people for the benefit of slaveholding families and colonial governments. Around the time of Emancipation, the industry shifted to salt production on the Orient Bay salt pond, which continued until the late 1950s. In 2000, the house itself became a museum developed and run by Pierre Beauperthuy.

The book explores various aspects of The Old House, from its architecture and craftsmanship to its role in salt production and its representation in art. The book includes interviews with Elise Hyman, who worked at the Orient Bay salt pond in her youth, and Sir Roland Richardson, who created an etching of the house and showcased it in an early issue of Discover magazine.

“Sadly, The Old House is one of very few old buildings left on St. Martin,” said Les Fruits de Mer President Jenn Yerkes. “This makes the house itself, and its story, even more important. The destruction of two historical sites on the island already this year shows how vulnerable local heritage is. When these old buildings are destroyed, history is erased. The history of enslavement and enslaved people is especially vulnerable. With fewer written records of their lives, the things they built are a key part of their legacy. The history of the culturally-rich traditional period between Emancipation and the rise of tourism is also being lost along with these buildings.”

The Old House book is bilingual in French and English. It is available for free online at lesfruitsdemer.com. A printed edition will be available in the coming weeks. The public is welcome to visit Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House every day of the week from sunrise to sunset. The free museum features exhibits about The Old House itself, and many other parts of St. Martin’s nature, heritage and culture.

Trilingual Poetry Book by Lasana M. Sekou Launches Saturday with Signing and Free Give-away Event

6 Poems by Lasana M. Sekou is an introduction to the author’s work presented in English, French, and Spanish.

The public is invited to celebrate the launch of 6 Poems / 6 Poèmes / 6 Poemas by Lasana M. Sekou on Saturday, February 4. The launch and free give-away of the new book will be held at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House in French Quarter from 9 am to 12 noon.

The author, St. Martin poet and writer Lasana M. Sekou, will be present to sign copies of 6 Poems, and light refreshments will be served for all to enjoy, said the Les Fruits de Mer association, publisher of the book. The launch event is part of the 32nd annual Black History Celebration organized island-wide by Conscious Lyrics Foundation.

The book presents six poems by Sekou in three languages: English, French and Spanish. It was created by Sekou and Les Fruits de Mer for distribution to students, schools, and the public. The internationally renowned author has published over 20 books, said Les Fruits de Mer. St. Martin and its people are often the focus of his writing.

“For the last 40 years, Sekou’s poetry has been a vital expression of St. Martin culture and identity. It was a privilege to develop 6 Poems together to help make his work accessible to more people, especially youth,” said Mark Yokoyama, editor at Les Fruits de Mer.

“We selected poems with themes of the island’s past and present, its traditions, elders, art, and spirit. We chose to present them in French and Spanish, as well as the original English, to make them more available to more people here. And we will be giving hundreds of copies to schools and students,” said Yokoyama, who is also an author.

St. Martin poet and writer Lasana M. Sekou will be present to sign copies of his new book at the launch event on Saturday, February 4, between 9 am and noon. (Photo by Ryan Tackling)

The slim volume includes new translations by Alex Richards, Fabian Adekunle Badejo, and Jocelyne Illidge. A new exhibit in the Amuseum’s poetry garden will be unveiled at the launch event, featuring the poems from the book in three languages.

“6 Poems is an outcome of the St. Martin literature panels and poetry in the park exhibits that Mark Yokoyama, Jenn Yerkes, and Les Fruits de Mer have initiated at Amuseum Naturalis. The association is known for its fascinating books for children and adults about St. Martin’s wildlife from the land, air, and sea,” said Sekou.

“It’s an honor to be one of the writers with work being made visible to young people, parents, teachers, visitors, all who visit the museum. With 6 Poems some of that writing can be taken home and into classrooms and media centers of schools throughout our island,” said Sekou.

The 6 Poems collection is also available as a free download from lesfruitsdemer.com, and for purchase on amazon.com worldwide. Teachers and youth group leaders interested in copies are encouraged to contact Les Fruits de Mer at [email protected]. Companies, organizations, or individuals interested in sponsoring copies for schools are encouraged to contact the association, said Yokoyama.

Free printed copies of 6 Poems by Lasana M. Sekou will be given to St. Martin schools as part of Les Fruits de Mer’s book give-away program, said Yokoyama. This project was funded by the Collectivité de Saint-Martin through Vie Associative. Permission to publish the poems in this volume was granted by House of Nehesi Publishers and Sekou.