Category: News

St. Martin Sea Life Book Launch

Thanks to everyone who came to the St. Martin Sea Life book launch! We are happy to share this book with sea and nature loving people! If you missed it, the book is available online for free in English and French. You can also follow those links to buy a copy online.

This book is also headed into St. Martin schools in a special bilingual edition as part of our school book program. Find out more about this amazing program and make a donation here.

This book was made possible with the financial support of 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).

Activity Book Workshop

We were very excited to host a “Make Your Own Activity Book” workshop at the 21st annual St. Martin Book Fair. Participants in the workshop included educators, parents and even kids. Everyone developed their own activity book theme and goals, and then we created five different kinds of activities and shared them with each other.

Activity books are a great way to help kids develop all kinds of skills, from hand-eye coordination to reading, and even creative writing. They are also a chance to share things that might not be present in other parts of their education, like local culture and traditions.

You can access all the workshop materials on this page. We look forward to hosting more workshops like this in the future. If you are interested, get in touch!

Helping develop more authors who can share their knowledge about St. Martin is one of the goals of our book program. You can make a donation to our book program here.

Thank you book program donors!

Thank you to everyone who has donated to our program to give a book about St. Martin to every student and teacher on St. Martin every year! Thanks to a dozen generous donors, we have raised over $1,400 over the past week. We are almost a third of the way to our year-end goal.

This year, we’ve published a dozen new books, including several new titles for preschoolers. We’re in the process of distributing books to every student and teacher on half of the island. We’ve also been doing smaller book donations on the other half as we work to expand to the whole island. We are on target to distribute 15,000 books in 2023 and the feedback from kids, teachers, and parents has been amazing.

Learn more about our book program and donate here!

There are additional options (including 501c3 tax-deductible) on our main donation page.

Thank you for supporting this program!

Launch and Free Giveaway of St. Martin Sea Life book this Saturday at Amuseum Naturalis!

St. Martin Sea Life is a new book about the animals, plants, algae and marine habitats in the seas around St. Martin.

The public is invited to the launch of a new book, St. Martin Sea Life, this Saturday from 9am to noon at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House in French Quarter. Attendees can get a free copy of the book in English or French at the launch.

St. Martin Sea Life is a book that explores the marine habitats surrounding this island, from mangrove wetlands and seagrass beds, to coral reefs and the open ocean. Readers will discover how each habitat is special, and get to know some of the unique animals that live in each one.

“We are very excited to launch this guide to the sea life of St. Martin,” said author Mark Yokoyama. “It shows some of the amazing things we can see in our seas. We also wanted to explain how these plants and animals depend on each other in language that is easy for anyone to understand.”

The book features over 140 vivid color photos that will captivate readers both young and old. The book has been published in English, French and bilingual editions. It was produced by Les Fruits de Mer, and will be distributed to local schools as part of the association’s book program. The French translation was done by Amandine Vaslet. “We’re thrilled to share this special marine life book with St. Martin students and teachers through our 2023 program,” said Les Fruits de Mer President Jenn Yerkes. “And we invite everyone to come celebrate the island’s undersea world at the launch!”

The free launch event and book giveaway will be held at Amuseum Naturalis on Saturday, Saturday, December 2nd 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.

St. Martin Sea Life is also available 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.

This book was made possible with the financial support of 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).

Learn To Make Your Own Coloring & Activity Book!

Coloring and activity books are a great way to help kids build skills and knowledge in many areas, including local nature and heritage. Learn how to make your own coloring or activity book on Saturday, November 25th from 9-10:30am at NIPA in Cay Hill. The workshop is part of the St. Martin Book Fair and there are other workshops, discussions and readings to enjoy during the day. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll develop your book concept, create activities, and learn about resources to help bring your book to life.

Give Books to Kids!

Help grow our book giveaway program! We’re giving books to every student in the French public schools on St. Martin this year. Our goal is to give a book to every student on the island, every year, and you can help! When combined with our grants and funding, 1€ from you lets us give a book to a kid. Our books were written just for St. Martin kids, featuring the nature and culture of their island in the languages that they speak. Make a donation to give books to a class or a whole school!

Launch and Free Giveaway of Two New Books this Saturday at Amuseum Naturalis!

UPDATE: Rescheduled for Saturday, October 28 due to Hurricane Tammy!

Soualikids Island is a multilingual word book with vivid photos of St. Martin animals.

The public is invited to celebrate the launch of Soualikids, a new children’s book series produced by the Les Fruits de Mer association! The free launch event will take place from 9am to noon this Saturday, October 21st at Amuseum Naturalis in French Quarter. The first two books in the series, Soualikids Island and Soualkids Island Coloring Book, spotlight St. Martin animals. 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 new Soualikids series based on requests from St. Martin educators and parents, asking 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 showcase St. Martin nature, culture, and heritage, to help little kids build early word skills about the special place where they live.

“We named the series ‘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. Each pair includes a first book with gorgeous color photos of local wildlife, and a second companion book with fun coloring pages of the wildlife. We’re so excited to launch the first pair of books, which star awesome animals that kids can see right here on their island!”

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

Soualikids Island is a full-color “look and learn” picture book, bursting with vivid photos of incredible St. Martin animals. The companion Soualikids Island Coloring Book is a “color and learn” book with two fun coloring pages for each of the animals. It also has a visual guide on the back cover with bright photos of all the featured animals. Both books include animal names in all four languages.

“When grownups and older kids share these books with little kids, it helps them build their vocabulary and discover the amazing nature 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 2023 book giveaway program. We’re also planning future Soualikids books that focus on St. Martin art and culture, and soon we’ll be rolling out more nature editions about local birds and creatures, too!”

Soualikids Island and Soualikids Island Coloring Book are new quadrilingual word books starring St. Martin animals.

The free launch event and book giveaway will be held at Amuseum Naturalis on Saturday, Saturday, October 21st 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 2023 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 Island and Soualikids Island 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.

Migratory Bird Festival at Amuseum Naturalis 9am to Noon Saturday, October 14th

The free Migratory Bird Festival will be held at Amuseum Naturalis from 9am-noon on Saturday, October 14th.

The public is invited to a free festival celebrating St. Martin’s migratory birds on Saturday, October 14th from 9am to noon at Amuseum Naturalis in French Quarter. The event will include the launch of two new bird coloring books: Soualiga Birds and Birds Around Me. The two books will be available for free at the event while supplies last. Kids can dive right into the books at the festival’s coloring station. Guests can also play fun bird games in the Amuseum’s gardens, learn about the science of bird tracking, and explore the museum exhibits and grounds.

“We’re super excited to bring back the Migratory Bird Festival with the launch of these two great new books!” explained Jenn Yerkes, President of the Les Fruits de Mer association. “ Each one is the latest coloring book in two popular series about local nature. And they both showcase St. Martin birds, including birds that migrate here each year!”

Soualiga Birds is the newest edition in the association’s multi-lingual Soualiga series. It invites young children to learn and practice writing the names of St. Martin birds in English, French, Spanish and Dutch. Like the other books in the Around Me series, Birds Around Me is bilingual in English and French, and is also a nature journal where kids can record their own observations and make their own drawings of local species.

Soualiga Birds is a new quadrilingual coloring book spotlighting 23 St. Martin birds.

In addition to discovering the new books, festival guests can participate in fun Birdsleuth Caribbean activities like Bird Bingo and the Bird Habitat Scavenger hunt. These activities were adapted specifically for the Caribbean, featuring local birds and nature. They are perfect for kids and families to enjoy in the Amuseum’s gardens.

“Migratory birds are truly amazing,” said Mark Yokoyama, co-founder of the Les Fruits de Mer association. “These birds travel thousands of kilometers each year and connect St. Martin with the rest of the Americas. We’re helping people learn more about them with a Motus station at the Amuseum. It uses antennas to track birds that are wearing tiny transmitters. It is one of the very first stations of its kind in the Caribbean.”

The Motus antenna at Amuseum Naturalis can track migratory birds from up to 25 kilometers away. It is part of an international network of hundreds of these antennas, and one of the very first in the Caribbean.

The Migratory Bird Festival will take place from 9am to noon on Saturday, October 14th. It will be held at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House on the hill above Coconut Grove in French Quarter. The event is proudly sponsored by Delta Petroleum. For more information, visit https://lesfruitsdemer.com.

Soualiga Birds and Birds Around Me were produced with support from the Collectivité de Saint-Martin and the Agence nationale de la cohésion des territoires. The book project is supported by the Politique de la ville de Saint-Martin, implemented by the State and the Collectivité de Saint-Martin. Both books are also available for purchase on amazon.com worldwide, and as free downloads at https://lesfruitsdemer.com.

The Migratory Bird Festival will be held at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House, on the hill above Coconut Grove in French Quarter.
Birds Around Me is a new bilingual coloring book and nature journal featuring 40 St. Martin birds.
Delta Petroleum is the proud sponsor of the 2023 Migratory Bird Festival.

Free Native and Heritage Plant Giveaway at Amuseum Naturalis this Saturday

Get free plants at Amuseum Naturalis on Saturday, September 16th from 9am to noon.

The beginning of the fall rainy season is a traditional time for planting on St. Martin. To take advantage of the growing season, stop by the Les Fruits de Mer association’s free plant stand at Amuseum Naturalis! Thanks to support from Delta Petroleum, a wide variety of native tree seedlings and heritage plants will be available for free on Saturday, September 16 from 9am to noon.

“We have a free plant stand at Amuseum Naturalis that we stock all year, but right now is the best time to get those plants into the ground,” explained Les Fruits de Mer President Jenn Yerkes. “ The association gives away about 1,000 plants every year. We focus on native tree seedlings, and heritage plants like herbs and fruit tree seedlings. We want to help people create a space for birds and other animals in their backyard or neighborhood. We also want to support local plant traditions.”

Some of the local tree seedlings include lignum vitae, thatch palm, stinkin’ toe, soursop, coco plum and sugar apple. Heritage plants include paracetamol, stinging thyme, and vervain.

“We are really happy to support the free plant program,” said Natalia Ayala, Delta Petroleum Island Manager. “At Delta St. Martin, gardening and plant traditions are really important to our employees, families and customers. We love that we can help bring life to the island.”

The free plant stand is located directly in front of Amuseum Naturalis, at The Old House in French Quarter. The plant stand and the museum are always free to visit. Guests are welcome to make a self-guided visit any time during daylight hours, any day of the week. For more information, visit amuseumnaturalis.com.

Delta Petroleum is the sponsor of the free plant stand at Amuseum Naturalis.

10 Years of Volunteers!

Les Fruits de Mer has always been an all-volunteer association. We have been incredibly lucky to have an amazing team of volunteers over the years. Events, museums, books: our volunteers have made it all possible. Thank you! As part of our 10th anniversary celebrations, take a trip down memory lane and check out this gallery featuring many of our awesome volunteers!

The Old House Book Launches with Giveaway at Amuseum Naturalis on Saturday

The Old House is a new bilingual book by the Les Fruits de Mer association about The Old House, a historic building in French Quarter.

The Les Fruits de Mer association invites the public to celebrate the launch of The Old House this Saturday. The Old House is a bilingual book about The Old House in French Quarter, the current location of Amuseum Naturalis. Delta Petroleum is sponsoring free copies of the book for all who attend the launch. The launch event will be held from 9am to noon on Saturday, July 22nd.

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. The building showcases the skilled work of many generations of St. Martin artisans, from those who laid the foundations in the 1700s to those who did carpentry, tile and cement work in the last century

“We’re excited to share this book with the public, and thank Delta for supporting the launch,” said Les Fruits de Mer President Jenn Yerkes. “Delta has sponsored Les Fruits de Mer projects and events for ten years. They were the original sponsors of the first Amuseum Naturalis in Grand Case, and now they are helping us share this special book.”

Delta Petroleum is sponsoring the launch of The Old House, including free copies of the book for those who attend.

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 the late 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 profiled its history in an early issue of Discover magazine.

The Old House book is bilingual in French and English. It is available for free online at lesfruitsdemer.com. The print edition will be available for free at the book launch from 9am to noon on Saturday, July 22nd at Amuseum Naturalis. 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.

The Old House book is also available as a free download.

Today The Old House is home to Amuseum Naturalis, a free museum of St. Martin nature, heritage and culture.

About Amuseum Naturalis
Amuseum Naturalis is a free museum of the nature and heritage of St. Martin and the Caribbean, created by Les Fruits de Mer. It is located at the historic Old House in French Quarter on the hill above Coconut Grove. For the latest information, visit amuseumnaturalis.com.

About Delta Petroleum
Delta Petroleum is the top local sponsor of the Les Fruits de Mer association. Delta provides funding for many of the association’s projects, including Amuseum Naturalis, the Soualibra research library, the Plantilles free plant stand, and more. Delta has sponsored Les Fruits de Mer projects and events since 2013. Delta was founded in 1985 and is proud to support St. Martin communities by funding local education projects.

New Sea Activity Book Launches With Free Giveaway Event on Christmas Eve!

Super St. Martin OCEAN! is a new bilingual activity book featuring St. Martin undersea nature and heritage.

The Les Fruits de Mer association invites the public to a festive event, free book giveaway and author signing on the morning of Christmas Eve. The event celebrates the launch of Super St. Martin OCEAN!, the association’s newest publication. This bilingual activity book explores the amazing undersea nature and heritage of the island of St. Martin. It offers young people over a hundred pages of discovery and fun, with mazes, word games, coloring pages, creative writing activities, and much more. It features over 130 plants and animals found in St. Martin’s underwater world. Super St. Martin OCEAN! is the highly-anticipated sequel to Super St. Martin!, the popular bilingual activity book about local land animals and plants.

“We hope St. Martin kids and families will really enjoy the book, during this holiday season and beyond,” said author Jenn Yerkes. “It’s important for kids to have books about where they live. Imagine doing a word search about our coral reef creatures, solving a maze about picking whelks to bring to an elder’s house, inventing short stories about our sea turtles, or drawing the fish attracted to a traditional handmade fish pot!”

“Every activity is in both English and French, so it’s a great language-learning tool as well,” added Mark Yokoyama, co-founder of Les Fruits de Mer.

The book is bursting with fun activities like mazes, word games, coloring, and creative writing and drawing.

The Christmas Eve free giveaway launch event will be held from 9am to noon on Saturday, December 24th at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House in French Quarter. Free copies of Super St. Martin OCEAN! will be given away at the event while supplies last thanks to Vie Associative and the Politique de la ville de Saint-Martin. The author will be present to sign copies of the book, and light refreshments will be served for all to enjoy. Attendees are invited to wear Santa hats or other seasonal attire or colors if they wish.

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 Super St. Martin OCEAN! will also be given to local schools as part of Les Fruits de Mer’s 2022 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. Super St. Martin OCEAN! 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 Nature Book Launches With Free Giveaway This Saturday!

Incredibilia! is a new book of fun facts about local nature.

The Les Fruits de Mer association invites the public to the launch of Incredibilia!, a new book of fun facts about local nature. The bilingual book reveals the amazing secrets and superpowers of 20 plants and animals found on this island. Bursting with vivid color photos and captivating natural and cultural heritage, Incredibilia! is sure to mesmerize readers young and old.

“On St. Martin, nature is all around us. And it’s full of really wild surprises!” said author Jenn Yerkes. “There are absolutely incredible things to discover, even about the plants and animals we see every day. Like what helps a gecko walk up walls. Or how a bird builds a stretchy nest that expands as its chicks get bigger. Or why a fish would make a sleeping bag out of its own snot!”

The association created the book in response to requests and questions from young people on St. Martin. Les Fruits de Mer cofounder Mark Yokoyama said, “Kids and youth are curious. They have a ton of questions when they visit the museum or read our other books. Once they start, they want to find out more and more.” “When some young folks asked us make a book about what animals do and why, we thought it was a great idea!” said Yerkes. To develop the book, she drew on selections from her 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.

“This book is a fascinating look at how local nature works behind the scenes,” said Yokoyama. “And it would make a great holiday gift for people of all ages,” added Yerkes. “So we’re inviting people to pass by and get a free copy at the Amuseum this Saturday morning!”

To launch the book, a free giveaway event will be held on Saturday, December 17th at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House in French Quarter. Free copies of Incredibilia! will be given away from 9am to noon, thanks to Vie Associative and the Politique de la ville de Saint-Martin.

The book is bilingual in English and French.

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 Incredibilia! will also be given to local schools as part of Les Fruits de Mer’s 2022 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. Incredibilia! 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.

Free Giveaway For New Sea Life Coloring Book This Saturday!

Soualiga Sea is the newest “color and learn” book, starring St. Martin sea life.

The Les Fruits de Mer association has published a new coloring book, Soualiga Sea, just in time for the holidays! The book spotlights St. Martin sea creatures, so kids can color them and learn their names in four of the many languages spoken here.

Soualiga Sea is the latest edition in the association’s Soualiga series of multi-lingual “color and learn” books for young children. The series debuted earlier this year with Soualiga Island, which showcases St. Martin’s land animals. Topics planned for future books in 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 here, but it’s been a richly multi-lingual island for a very long time. That’s why Les Fruits de Mer started producing this series of multi-lingual books for St. Martin’s young people. In the Soualiga books, everything is in English, French, Spanish and Dutch.”

Soualiga Sea stars St. Martin’s amazing sea life. For each sea animal, there is an illustrated coloring page with the animal’s name in all four languages. Each one also has a page where kids can practice writing the names of the animal. There is also a visual guide on the back cover with bright color photos of all the sea animals.

“Reading and writing are important skills for everybody. The best way to learn them is to start early. This series makes it fun by featuring things from this island that kids can see around them, or discover through the books. We believe the local focus will help kids connect more with reading and writing,” said Les Fruits de Mer co-founder Mark Yokoyama. “This series is especially designed to encourage kids to practice handwriting. And to give teachers a great way to help their students practice it, too!”

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

“Multi-lingual books also give parents and family members who might speak a different language at home a way to participate in kids’ education,” added Jenn Yerkes. “Plus, learning sea animal names in different languages is pretty awesome!”

Free copies of Soualiga Sea will be given away at Amuseum Naturalis on Saturday, December 10th 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 Sea will also be given to local schools as part of Les Fruits de Mer’s 2022 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. Soualiga Sea was 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 Coloring Book Launches With Free Giveaway This Saturday!

Soualiga Island is a new “color and learn” book featuring St. Martin wildlife.

The Les Fruits de Mer association has published a new coloring book, Soualiga Island. The book showcases animals that live on the island of St. Martin, so kids can color them and learn their names in four of the many languages spoken here.

“Soualiga is one of the Amerindian names for this island,” said author Jenn Yerkes. “Although English is the most common language here, this has been a richly multi-lingual place for a very long time. We wanted to celebrate that with a multi-lingual book for very young folks. So in this book, everything is in English, French, Spanish and Dutch.”

The book spotlights the wide variety of wildlife on St. Martin. For each animal, there is an illustrated coloring page with the animal’s name in all four languages. Each one also has a page where kids can practice writing the names of the animal. There is a visual guide on the back cover with vivid color photos of all the animals. This encourages kids to learn what these creatures look like, and spot them in the wild.

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

“Everyone needs to read and write. The best way to learn is to start early. This book makes it fun by using animals from this island that kids can see around them. We believe the local focus will help kids connect more with reading and writing,” said Les Fruits de Mer co-founder Mark Yokoyama. “This book is especially designed to encourage kids to practice handwriting. And to give teachers a great way to help their students practice it, too!”

“With multi-lingual books, more parents and family members who might speak a different language at home can still join in kids’ education,” added Jenn Yerkes. “Plus, it’s cool to learn animal names in different languages!”

Free copies of Soualiga Island will be given away at Amuseum Naturalis on Saturday, November 5th 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 or individuals interested in sponsoring copies for schools are also encouraged to contact the association.

Free printed copies of Soualiga Island will also be given to local schools and students as part of Les Fruits de Mer’s 2022 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. Soualiga Island was 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 Sargassum Book Launches With Free Giveaway This Saturday!

Suddenly, Sargassum! is a new book about sargassum on St. Martin.

If you have wondered why tons of sargassum have been washing up on St. Martin shores for the last decade, now you can find out. The story is told in the new book, Suddenly, Sargassum! The book was produced by the Les Fruits de Mer association and explores many aspects of this mysterious seaweed.

“The sudden arrival of sargassum in St. Martin is a big story,” said author Mark Yokoyama. “In recent years, we’ve learned about the unseen forces that bring sargassum here each year. We’ve also seen how it impacts people and nature.”

Suddenly, Sargassum! reveals many facets of this unusual seaweed. It includes guides to the creatures that depend on it, both in the sea and on the land. It outlines the process that brings sargassum blooms to St. Martin. It investigates the impacts of sargassum and even how it inspires art.

To launch the book, a free book giveaway event will be held on Saturday, October 1st at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House in French Quarter from 9am to noon. Free copies of the book will be available in both English and French. A new exhibit about sargassum will also be launched.

The book was researched and written over the past year. Vivid photos reveal an entire world of life that is hidden in the sargassum, from microscopic sea creatures to birds that have learned to hunt and forage in it.

This book and the exhibit were produced with the financial support of the Office francais de la biodiversité, through a micro-project grant from Te Me Um. As part of the project, free copies of the book will be distributed to local schools, libraries and other institutions.

Suddenly, Sargassum! was produced with the financial support of the Office francais de la biodiversité, through a microproject grant from Te Me Um.

New Coloring Book Highlights the Insects of St. Martin

Insects Around Me is a new coloring book and nature journal featuring St. Martin insects.

The Les Fruits de Mer association has published a new coloring book, Insects Around Me. The book showcases 40 insects that live on St. Martin. The book is also a nature journal, where kids can record their own observations and make their own drawings of animals. 

“Insects are all around us, and they are easy to observe,” said author Mark Yokoyama. “Kids are fascinated by insects. They make a perfect gateway to discovery and learning, and we think this book can help.”

The book spotlights the wide variety of colorful insects found on St. Martin. For each species, there is an illustrated coloring page with a short description of the insect. There’s also a space to take notes on any sightings of the insect, and a place to do a drawing of it. There is also a visual guide on the back cover with color photos of each insect. These features encourage kids to observe these creatures in the wild.

For each insect, there is a coloring page, and space to record observations and make drawings.

“In this book, everything is in English and French,” added Les Fruits de Mer President Jenn Yerkes. “We wanted the book to be more versatile on this multi-lingual island. This also means the book can be a language-learning tool, too.”

Free copies of Insects Around Me will be given away at Amuseum Naturalis on Saturday, September 17th 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.

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

Insects Around Me was produced with support from the Collectivité de Saint-Martin and the Agence nationale de la cohésion des territoires. This project is supported by the politique de la ville de Saint-Martin, implemented by the State and the Collectivité de Saint-Martin.

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

New Exhibits Feature French Translations of Local Poetry

The new exhibits are on permanent display in the poetry area in front of the Amuseum.

Three new poetry exhibits at Amuseum Naturalis feature French translations of poetry by St. Martin authors. The exhibits include poems from ten different poets. The translations were done by St. Martin translator Alex Richards.

“Poetry on St. Martin is a powerful expression of culture and identity,” said Jenn Yerkes, co-curator of Amuseum Naturalis. “And poetry translation is an art. We knew it would take a specialized translator from this island to capture the nuance and spirit of these poems, so we were delighted to partner with Alex Richards on this!”

Reflections/Réflexions exhibits poetry and paintings by Lady Ruby Bute.

Two of the exhibits feature selections from recently published books: Reflections by Ruby Bute and SOS: Season of Storms by Fabian Badejo. The third exhibit features poems from ten different St. Martin poets.

All of these exhibits are also displayed at the Amuseum in the original English. Since English has historically been the primary language on the island, almost all St. Martin poetry has been written in English. Often, authors use St. Martin English, which has its own unique words, phrases and grammar.

“St. Martin has a rich culture that is hundreds of years old,” explained co-curator Mark Yokoyama. “In recent decades, many people have immigrated here, including many French-speakers who struggle with the island’s main language, English. French translations of local poetry create a chance for them to experience part of St. Martin’s culture. This is one step on the path to integrating new residents into St. Martin society.”

Season of Storms/Saison des Tempêtes showcases poetry by Fabian A. Badejo.

The new exhibits are on permanent display in the poetry area in front of the Amuseum. Amuseum Naturalis is located at The Old House in French Quarter. It is always free to visit, and all displays are now outdoors. Guests are welcome to make a self-guided visit any time during daylight hours, any day of the week. For more information, visit amuseumnaturalis.com.

These exhibits and other projects were made possible by support from the Collectivité de Saint-Martin and the Agence nationale de la cohésion des territoires. The exhibits were also made possible by the poets who generously gave permission for their work to be translated and exhibited.

St. Martiners Tell Stories from Their Lives in New Oral History Book

Stories of St Martin collects twelve stories told by St. Martiners in their own voices.

The Les Fruits de Mer association has published a new book, Stories of St. Martin. In this book, twelve St. Martiners tell stories from their lives in their own words. Each story captures a unique part of life on St. Martin, and each story captures a unique voice. They are stories of work, hardship, accomplishment and inspiration.

“Reading this book is like sitting down with a neighbor while they tell you a story,” said co-editor Jenn Yerkes. “It’s a great way for St. Martiners of all ages to share the living history of this place, from major events to daily life back in the day. The stories really come alive because each one is told in a unique voice.”

These stories were recorded on St. Martin between 2016 and 2021. Topics include salt and salt harvesting, storms and renewal, work and service, and local traditions. Each one is part of an oral history tradition on St. Martin that stretches back hundreds of years, and continues today. This important process has preserved knowledge, customs, and culture, including the local language, by passing them down from generation to generation.

“We are excited to publish this book in French as well as English,” added co-editor Mark Yokoyama. “People living here who don’t speak the island’s mother tongue don’t have many opportunities to learn about the lives of St. Martiners. We hope this book promotes deeper understanding and connection.”

Twelve St. Martiners are featured in Stories of St. Martin. (Photos Les Fruits de Mer, Ryan Tackling)

Free copies of Stories of St. Martin will be given away at Amuseum Naturalis on Saturday, January 29th from 9am to noon thanks to sponsor 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 worldwide at amazon.com. Teachers and youth group leaders interested in copies are encouraged to contact Les Fruits de Mer at [email protected]. Companies or individuals interested in sponsoring copies for schools are also encouraged to contact the association.

The Les Fruits de Mer association has published twelve books about St. Martin nature and heritage. All are available in both English and French. The association is currently working to develop new books on local topics for all different ages. Their long-term goal is to give a free book about St. Martin to every student on the island, every year they are in school.

Stories of St. Martin was produced with support from the Collectivité de Saint-Martin, the Agence nationale de la cohésion des territoires, and Delta Petroleum.

New Book Explores the Impact of Hurricane Irma on St. Martin Wildlife

Animals After Irma is a new book exploring the impacts of hurricane Irma on St. Martin wildlife.

The Les Fruits de Mer association has published a new book, Animals After Irma. In the book, eight short essays reveal different ways that the hurricane impacted animals on St. Martin. It also explores how different species survived or even thrived in the aftermath. The book is full of vivid color photos of animals and their habitats after the storm.

“Hurricane Irma had a huge impact on St. Martin,” said author Mark Yokoyama. “The effects it had on nature are important. We live on an island with few wild spaces remaining. We also have unique species found nowhere else in the world that depend on those spaces.”

Animals After Irma has been published in English and French. It is one of several books being produced by the Les Fruits de Mer association that explore the impacts of climate change on St. Martin. These impacts include drought, increased hurricane activity and sargassum beachings.

Free copies of Animals After Irma will be given away at Amuseum Naturalis on Saturday, January 15th from 9am to noon thanks to sponsor 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 worldwide at amazon.com. Teachers and youth group leaders interested in copies are encouraged to contact Les Fruits de Mer at [email protected]. Companies or individuals interested in sponsoring copies for schools are also encouraged to contact the association.

The Les Fruits de Mer association has published twelve books about St. Martin nature and heritage. All are available in both English and French. The association is currently working to develop new books on local topics for all different ages. Their long-term goal is to give a free book about St. Martin to every student on the island, every year they are in school.

Animals After Irma was produced with support from the Collectivité de Saint-Martin, the Agence nationale de la cohésion des territoires, and Delta Petroleum.

New Poetry Exhibits at Amuseum Naturalis Showcase Local Authors

Reflections exhibits the poetry and paintings of Lady Ruby Bute.

There are two new outdoor poetry exhibits at Amuseum Naturalis in French Quarter. They both showcase poetry from recently released books by local authors. The Season of Storms exhibit presents poetry from S.O.S. Season of Storms by Fabian A. Badejo. An exhibit featuring the work of Lady Ruby Bute spotlights poems and paintings from her new book, Reflections.

“We are delighted to share these wonderful exhibits,” said Amuseum co-founder Jenn Yerkes. “Lady Ruby Bute and Fabian Badejo have been important contributors to St. Martin’s literature and arts for decades, and we are very proud to feature their work at the Amuseum.”

Season of Storms is a new exhibit of poetry by Fabian A. Badejo.

The Season of Storms exhibit focuses on Badejo’s poetry about Hurricane Irma, recent protests and the coronavirus pandemic. It also includes details from the book’s powerful cover art, painted by Ras Mosera.

The Reflections exhibit presents vivid poetry and paintings by Ruby Bute. Many of them highlight St. Martin heritage and traditions, from the outdoor market to J’ouvert morning festivities.

Amuseum Naturalis is located at The Old House in French Quarter. It is always free to visit, and all displays are now outdoors. Guests are welcome to make a self-guided visit any time during daylight hours, any day of the week. The new exhibits are on permanent display in the poetry area in front of the house. For more information, visit amuseumnaturalis.com.

These exhibits and other projects were made possible by support from the Collectivité de Saint-Martin and the Agence nationale de la cohésion des territoires.

New Activity Book Highlights St. Martin Nature and Heritage

Super St. Martin! is a new bilingual activity book featuring St. Martin nature and heritage.

The Les Fruits de Mer association has published a new activity book, Super St. Martin! This unique bilingual activity book invites young people to explore and celebrate the amazing nature and heritage of the island of St. Martin. It has over a hundred pages of discovery and fun, with mazes, word games, coloring pages, creative writing activities, and much more. The book features over 150 plants and animals that can be seen on St. Martin, including some that are only found here, and nowhere else in the world!

The book is bursting with fun activities like mazes, word games, coloring, and creative writing and drawing.

“We hope St. Martin kids and families will really enjoy this book, during the holiday season and beyond,” said author Jenn Yerkes. “It’s important for kids to have books about where they live. Imagine doing a word search with local names for birds, inventing short stories about this island’s night creatures, dreaming up a new kind of insect, or creating a beautiful floral pattern for a traditional dress!”

“Every activity is in both English and French, so it can also be a great tool for language learners,” added Mark Yokoyama, co-founder of Les Fruits de Mer.

Sponsor Delta Petroleum has provided 100 free copies for individuals to pick up at Amuseum Naturalis.

One hundred free copies of Super St. Martin! are being given away at Amuseum Naturalis in December and January thanks to sponsor 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. Teachers and youth group leaders interested in copies are encouraged to contact Les Fruits de Mer at [email protected]. Companies or individuals interested in sponsoring copies for schools are also encouraged to contact the association. The book is also available on amazon.com worldwide.

Super St. Martin! was produced with support from the Collectivité de Saint-Martin, the Agence nationale de la cohésion des territoires, and Delta Petroleum.

Introduced Species Crossword – Mots Croisés : Espèces Introduites

Solve this puzzle, and learn about some of the island’s introduced species! Download the free page here: https://www.lesfruitsdemer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/SSM-30.pdf

Résolvez ce jeu de mots croisés, et découvrez certaines des espèces introduites de l’île ! Téléchargez la page gratuite ici : https://www.lesfruitsdemer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/SSM-31.pdf

Amuseum@Home presents fun local learning activities for free every day! Find more great stuff to do at: https://www.lesfruitsdemer.com/category/athome/

Find cool books and more at: https://www.lesfruitsdemer.com/resources/
This page came from Super St. Martin!

Amuseum@Home présente gratuitement tous les jours des activités ludiques pédagogiques sur des sujets locaux! Trouvez d’autres choses à faire fantastiques sur : https://www.lesfruitsdemer.com/category/athome/

Trouvez des livres formidables, et plus sur :  https://www.lesfruitsdemer.com/resources/
Cette page provient de Super St. Martin !

New Coloring Book Highlights the Animals of St. Martin

Sponsor Delta Petroleum has provided 100 free copies for individuals to pick up at Amuseum Naturalis.

The Les Fruits de Mer association has published a new coloring book, Animals Around Me. The book showcases 44 animals that live on St. Martin. The book is also a nature journal, where kids can record their own observations and make their own drawings of animals. 

“It is never too early to learn about St. Martin’s amazing wildlife,” said author Mark Yokoyama. “Some of our most common animals are ones that live only here on this island, and nowhere else in the world. We made this book to share these incredible animals, and their stories, with younger kids.”

The book spotlights birds, insects, reptiles and more. For each species, there is an illustrated coloring page with a short description of the animal. There’s also a space to take notes on any sightings of the animal, and a place to do a drawing of it. There is also a visual guide on the back cover with color photos of each animal. These features encourage kids to observe these animals in the wild.

For each animal, there is a coloring page, and space to record observations and make drawings.

“In this book, everything is in English and French,” added Les Fruits de Mer President Jenn Yerkes. “We wanted the book to be more versatile on this multi-lingual island. This also means the book can be a language learning tool, too.”

One hundred free copies of Animals Around Me will be given away at Amuseum Naturalis in October thanks to sponsor 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. Teachers and youth group leaders interested in copies are encouraged to contact Les Fruits de Mer at [email protected]. Companies or individuals interested in sponsoring copies for schools are also encouraged to contact the association. The book is also available on amazon.com worldwide.

Animals Around Me was produced with support from the Collectivité de Saint-Martin, the Agence nationale de la cohésion des territoires, and Delta Petroleum.

Animals Around Me is a new coloring book and nature journal featuring St. Martin wildlife.

Gulf Fritillary Coloring Page – Coloriage de Agraulis nacré

Have fun coloring, and learn about St. Martin’s St. Gulf Fritillary!
Download the page here: https://www.lesfruitsdemer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/AAM-Gulf-Fritillary.pdf

Amusez-vous à colorier, et découvrez l’Agraulis nacré de Saint-Martin !
Téléchargez le coloriage ici : https://www.lesfruitsdemer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/AAM-Gulf-Fritillary.pdf

Amuseum@Home is fun local learning for free every day. Find more fun stuff to do at:
https://www.lesfruitsdemer.com/category/athome/

Find cool books and more at: https://www.lesfruitsdemer.com/resources/

This coloring page came from Animals Around Me.


Amuseum@Home présente gratuitement tous les jours des activités ludiques pédagogiques sur des sujets locaux. Trouvez d’autres choses à faire supers sur : https://www.lesfruitsdemer.com/category/athome/


Trouvez des livres formidables, et plus sur :  https://www.lesfruitsdemer.com/resources/

Ce coloriage provient d’Animaux Autour de Moi.

Exhibit of French Quarter Etchings by Sir Roland Richardson Opens at Amuseum Naturalis

The Last Frontier is a new exhibit of etchings and memories of French Quarter by Sir Roland Richardson.

A new outdoor exhibit is now open at Amuseum Naturalis in French Quarter. The exhibit is titled The Last Frontier: Sir Roland Richardson’s French Quarter. It features etchings of people and places in French Quarter, and Richardson’s memories of the time he lived there. Visitors can come and enjoy the exhibit any time from sunrise to sunset, any day of the week.

“We are so excited to share this with St. Martin,” said Amuseum co-founder Mark Yokoyama, who developed the exhibit with Richardson. “It is an exhibit about art, and about French Quarter, and about St. Martin’s past. Sir Roland’s etchings aren’t as well-known as his paintings, but they are historical treasures. This exhibit presents them much larger than life size, and the detail is amazing. Combined with his memories, this is an exhibit that transports you to a time and place that no longer exists.”

The Last Frontier features eight Richardson etchings. Subjects include an etching of the house where Richardson lived in French Quarter, and The Old House, the historic building where Amuseum Naturalis is located. The text, taken from interviews with Richardson, reveals a French Quarter where traditions still survived on a rapidly changing island. He also shares insights into his artistic process.

Sir Roland Richardson remembers his time in French Quarter fondly, “I felt that was part of my real privilege, that opportunity to sleep with my doors open. I didn’t have any worries and I felt totally at home, but I felt really privileged to have out of every door or window where I looked, the natural landscape. I did a huge, huge body of work during those years.”

The Last Frontier features French Quarter people and places, like The Old House.

Amuseum Naturalis is located at The Old House in French Quarter. It is always free to visit, and all displays are now outdoors. Guests are welcome to make a self-guided visit any time during daylight hours, any day of the week. The Last Frontier is on permanent display just in front of the house. For more information, visit amuseumnaturalis.com.

This exhibit and other projects were made possible by support from the Collectivité de Saint-Martin and the Agence nationale de la cohésion des territoires.

Caribbean Curiosities

Dive into the wild world of St. Martin wildlife and nature. Caribbean Curiosities explores all kinds of unique nature stories happening all around us on St. Martin.

Use the links below to download it for free, or order it online if you’re not on St. Martin. If you are on St. Martin and would like to get a print copy, visit Librarie du Bord de Mer in Marigot, or send a message to [email protected].

If you are a teacher or work with kids, contact us and we will do our best to provide copies for your class or group. If you or your business want to help us provide copies to schools, let us know!

Caribbean Curiosities

Take a deeper dive into some of the amazing plants and animals of St. Martin. St. Martin is full of unique animals. Many are found only in the Caribbean, and some are found only on St. Martin. Each species has its own story, and exploring this rich natural heritage is a fascinating way to explore the island. Learning how our wildlife became so unique is also a great way to understand the way all life has evolved and diversified. From prehistoric times to the present day, one of the most important ways humans have impacted St. Martin is by introducing new animal and plant species. Discover them through tales of animals that were brought to St. Martin by people and how these new species have changed the island. How has the island been changed forever by these new arrivals and what are they doing right now to change the island’s future?
Buy the book.
Download the book (PDF, 86 pages, 10MB).

Curiosités des Caraïbes

Caribbean Curiosities examine de plus près certains des animaux et plantes fascinants, qui met en valeur l’histoire naturelle de St. Martin et des Caraïbes.
Téléchargez une copie gratuite.
Achetez une copie.

Shadow of a Drought

Have you ever wondered why St. Martin can seem so lush and green in November and so dry in April? How is climate change impacting nature and people? Shadow of a Drought uses striking images of the 2015 drought to explore some of these questions.

Use the links below to download it for free, or order it online if you’re not on St. Martin. If you are on St. Martin and would like to get a print copy, visit Librarie du Bord de Mer in Marigot, or send a message to [email protected].

If you are a teacher or work with kids, contact us and we will do our best to provide copies for your class or group. If you or your business want to help us provide copies to schools, let us know!

Shadow of a Drought

Shadow-of-a-Drought-web

During 2015 drought conditions impacted much of the Caribbean. This photo essay documents some of the impacts of drought on St. Martin. It was produced by Les Fruits de Mer as a companion piece to the 2015 Migratory Bird Festival. All photos and text by Mark Yokoyama. Translation into French by Jennifer Yerkes.
Buy the book.
Download it as an ebook: English (PDF, 30 Pages)French (PDF, 30 pages)

En 2015, les conditions de sécheresse ont touché une grande partie des Caraïbes. Cet essai photographique documente certains des effets de la sécheresse sur Saint-Martin.
Téléchargez une copie gratuite.
Achetez une copie.

Eye on Endemics

St. Martin and the Caribbean are special because there are many unique animals that live here and nowhere else. Get to know them and learn how adaptation and survival created these exceptional animals.

Use the links below to download it for free, or order it online if you’re not on St. Martin. If you are on St. Martin and would like to get a print copy, visit Librarie du Bord de Mer in Marigot, or send a message to [email protected].

If you are a teacher or work with kids, contact us and we will do our best to provide copies for your class or group. If you or your business want to help us provide copies to schools, let us know!

Eye on Endemics: Caribbean Originals

This book showcases over a dozen animal species that are found only on the island of St. Martin or only in the Caribbean region. Get to know two species of lizard that live only on St. Martin. Discover insects you can’t see anywhere else. Find out which common birds on the island are Caribbean originals. And learn why there are so many unique animals on St. Martin!
Buy the book.
Download the book (PDF, 64 pages, 5MB).

Regard sur les Espèces Endémiques : Uniques aux Caraïbes

Ce livre présente plus d’une douzaine d’espèces animales que l’on ne trouve que sur l’île de Saint-Martin ou dans la région des Caraïbes. Apprenez à connaître deux espèces de lézards qui vivent uniquement à Saint-Martin. Rencontrez des insectes que vous ne pouvez voir nulle part ailleurs. Découvrez quels oiseaux communs sur l’île sont uniques aux Caraïbes. Et apprenez pourquoi il y a tant d’animaux uniques à Saint-Martin!
Téléchargez une copie gratuite.
Achetez une copie.

Pond Life

Ponds on St. Martin are amazing places full of birds and other life. Take a closer look at our amazing ponds and all the creatures that live there in the book Pond Life.

Use the links below to download it for free, or order it online if you’re not on St. Martin. If you are on St. Martin and would like to get a print copy, visit Librarie du Bord de Mer in Marigot, or send a message to [email protected].

If you are a teacher or work with kids, contact us and we will do our best to provide copies for your class or group. If you or your business want to help us provide copies to schools, let us know!

Pond Life

If you like your ecosystems wet and wild, then you will love Pond Life. Each chapter explores a different view into these ever-changing wild spaces. How do they transform with the seasons? What has changed in recent years? How do they reflect centuries of history? Like St. Martin itself, life on the pond is rich and always in motion. Ponds connect sea and land, human and nature, past and present: dive in, and discover.
Buy the book.
Download the book (PDF, 70 pages, 9MB).

La vie des étangs

Si vous aimez découvrir d’incroyables écosystèmes, vous allez adorer La vie des étangs. Chaque chapitre explore une vision différente de ces espaces sauvages en constante évolution. Comment se transforment-ils avec les saisons? Qu’est-ce qui a changé ces dernières années? Comment reflètent-ils des siècles d’histoire? Comme Saint-Martin lui-même, la vie sur l’étang est riche et toujours en mouvement. Les étangs relient la mer et la terre, les humains et la nature, le passé et le présent–et vous invitent à la découverte!
Téléchargez une copie gratuite.
Achetez une copie.

The Book of Cures

Take a unique journey into St. Martin’s past through the pages of a notebook full of medical recipes. Find out what this unique artifact can tell us about life in the 19th century Caribbean.

Use the links below to download it for free, or order it online if you’re not on St. Martin. If you are on St. Martin and would like to get a print copy, visit Librarie du Bord de Mer in Marigot, or send a message to [email protected].

If you are a teacher or work with kids, contact us and we will do our best to provide copies for your class or group. If you or your business want to help us provide copies to schools, let us know!

The Book of Cures

In a small notebook, an unknown 19th-century author on the island of St. Martin recorded medical remedies and other useful information. Preserved for perhaps 200 years, through hurricanes and other calamities, this book of cures provides a unique window into life on St. Martin. Dive into this unique artifact on a page-by-page journey of discovery.
Buy the book.
Download the book for free. (PDF, 38 pages)

 

Le Cahier de Remèdes

Au 19ème siècle, sur l’île de Saint-Martin, un auteur inconnu a consigné des remèdes et autres informations utiles dans un petit cahier. Préservé pendant quelque 200 ans, après avoir survécu aux ouragans et autres calamités, ce cahier de remèdes offre une fenêtre unique sur la vie de l’époque à Saint-Martin. Page après page, plongez dans ce cahier extraordinaire et partez pour un voyage de découverte.
Achetez une copie.
Téléchargez une copie gratuite.

Wild Things!

Wild Things! is a book that tells some amazing stories about animals on St. Martin. Learn which animals are found only on this island and nowhere else in the world. Explore caves and freshwater habitats. Find out how animals introduced by people are transforming the island.

Use the links below to download it for free, or order it online if you’re not on St. Martin. If you are on St. Martin and would like to get a print copy, visit Librarie du Bord de Mer in Marigot, or send a message to [email protected].

If you are a teacher or work with kids, contact us and we will do our best to provide copies for your class or group. If you or your business want to help us provide copies to schools, let us know!

Wild Things! Animals of St. Martin

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.
Buy the book.
Download the book! (PDF, 46 pages).

Le Côté Sauvage!: Les Animaux de Saint-Martin

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!
Téléchargez une copie gratuite.
Achetez une copie.

Bugs in Paradise

Enjoy exciting images and amusing verses about some of St. Martin’s littlest critters in the book Bugs in Paradise.

Use the links below to download it for free, or order it online if you’re not on St. Martin. If you are on St. Martin and would like to get a print copy send a message to [email protected].

If you are a teacher or work with kids, contact us and we will do our best to provide copies for your class or group. If you or your business want to help us provide copies to schools, let us know!

Bugs in Paradise

Bugs-in-Paradise-web

For our coming festival
We thought it would be nice
To make an ebook just for kids
Called Bugs in Paradise.
With photos to astound the eye
Of creatures where they dwell
The text is written all in verse
And will delight as well.
Buy the book.
Download the ebook (PDF, 24 pages, 3.2MB).

St. Martin Wildlife Guide

Are you curious about the wildlife of St. Martin? Get to know many of the creatures great and small that share the island with us. The St. Martin wildlife book is available in English and French.

Use the links below to download it for free, or order it online if you’re not on St. Martin. If you are on St. Martin and would like to get a print copy, visit Van Dorp in Madame Estate or Librarie du Bord de Mer in Marigot, or send a message to [email protected].

If you are a teacher or work with kids, contact us and we will do our best to provide copies for your class or group. If you or your business want to help us provide copies to schools, let us know!

The Incomplete Guide to the Wildlife of Saint Martin

2nd-ed-guide-cover-web
Called “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)

 

Guide incomplet a la faune sauvage de Saint-Martin

edition-francaise-cover-web

Le Guide incomplet de la faune sauvage de Saint-Martin présente la faune terrestre de l’ile, des mammifères aux oiseaux sans oublier les insectes et araignées. Ce guide décrit des centaines d’espèces et comprend plus de 500 photos en couleur. En plus de décrire les animaux sauvages, ce livre fournit des informations sur l’écologie des espèces et leurs habitats. Ce livre constitue un guide de terrain unique sur les animaux sauvages de Saint Martin et de la région Caraïbe.
Téléchargez une copie gratuite.
Achetez une copie.

Plantilles: Plants of St. Martin

Curious about St. Martin plants and their role in history and culture? Check out Plantilles: Plants of St. Martin, a brand new book all about St. Martin’s plants.

Use the links below to download it for free, or order it online if you’re not on St. Martin. If you are on St. Martin and would like to get a print copy, visit Librarie du Bord de Mer in Marigot, or send a message to [email protected].

If you are a teacher or work with kids, contact us and we will do our best to provide copies for your class or group. If you or your business want to help us provide copies to schools, let us know!

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).

 

Plantilles: Plantes de Saint-Martin

Saint-Martin est recouverte de plantes, et Plantilles vous donne l’opportunité d’en apprendre plus sur elles! Les plantes indigènes de l’île sont vitales pour toute vie à Saint-Martin, et elles ont des pouvoirs étonnants pour survivre aux sécheresses et aux tempêtes. Les gens dépendent aussi des plantes. Elles sont cultivées pour la nourriture et la médecine. Les traditions végétales de Saint-Martin remontent à des milliers d’années. Ces traditions proviennent de cultures différentes, notamment Amérindiennes et Africaines. Découvrez ces plantes et traditions fascinantes, et apprenez à reconnaître plusieurs des belles plantes que vous voyez chaque jour! Traduit de l’anglais par Jenn Yerkes, Amandine Vaslet et Julie Quéau.
Achetez une copie.
Download the book! (PDF, 95 pages).

Free Bird Coloring Book Offers Virtual Tour of the Caribbean

Free copies of the coloring book Endemic Birds of the West Indies are available at Amuseum Naturalis.

There are almost 200 birds that live only in the Caribbean. Some live only in a certain part of the region, and some live only on a single island. A new coloring book, Endemic Birds of the West Indies, features 50 of these special birds. Copies are available for free at Amuseum Naturalis in French Quarter.


“Kids are often amazed to learn that there are birds and other animals that live only on their island,” commented the writer, Mark Yokoyama. “These birds, and this book, can help them discover how special their home is. It is also a chance to take a bird tour of the Caribbean and see some of the incredible birds from other islands.”


“Endemic” means found only in a specific place. In the Caribbean that can mean just one island, like the Sisserou parrot in Dominica. Or it can be birds special to a region, like our Sugar Bird and the hummingbirds that live on St. Martin. The book features five birds that are found on St. Martin.


St. Martin’s Antillean Crested Hummingbird is one of the birds featured in the book.

The coloring book features beautiful illustrations by artist Christine Elder, and text by Mark Yokoyama. It was published by BirdsCaribbean. There are 50 coloring pages and fun activities. The book also explains why there are so many unique birds here, and how we can help them.


Anyone who wants a free copy can pick one up in the exhibit hall at Amuseum Naturalis on the hill above Galion beach in French Quarter. Teachers or youth leaders interested in multiple copies can email [email protected]. The book can also be downloaded for free at: lesfruitsdemer.com/resources/books/

Amuseum Naturalis Announces July 7th Reopening

Amuseum Naturalis is located at The Old House in French Quarter.

After closing for lockdown, St. Martin’s free nature and heritage museum Amuseum Naturalis will be reopening in “park mode” for the public to enjoy safely! Starting Tuesday, July 7th, guests are invited to make self-guided visits during daylight hours to the outdoor areas, including the open-air Amuseum exhibit hall, and outside exhibit areas, viewpoints and gardens including the agriculture heritage displays, bush tea garden, and the St. Martin poetry exhibits. 

Amuseum Naturalis is located at the historic Old House in French Quarter. It is created and run by the all-volunteer Les Fruits de Mer association, and presents more than 40 fascinating exhibits showcasing the unique wildlife, culture and history of St. Martin. 

“With outdoor exhibits and beautiful views, we hope that the Amuseum can be a fun and safe place to enjoy nature and heritage during a tough time,” explained Les Fruits de Mer President Jenn Yerkes. “Our top concern is the safety of the community, so we ask that visitors follow safety instructions so we can stay open.”

The Amuseum features outdoor exhibits and scenic views.

To keep the community safe, properly worn masks are required for all visitors, as well as respecting physical distance of 2 meters between non-household members. Hand sanitizer will be available. Visitors will need to bring their own drinking water.

For now, guided group visits and activities are not available, to protect the community. However, teachers and youth group leaders are encouraged to contact [email protected] to find out about the many things that are currently offered to schools and youth groups, including free books and other free, fun educational resources. 

Access to the indoor areas and services of the Amuseum is now available by appointment on a case-by-case basis. These include Soualibra, the free research library about St. Martin, and the free Heritage Preservation services. Those interested are invited to contact [email protected] for more information.

St. Martin poetry exhibits showcase local authors.

The Amuseum can also be visited virtually at any time at http://amuseumnaturalis.com/. The Amuseum@Home program of free ebooks, activities, short films and games based on St. Martin nature and heritage are available at https://www.lesfruitsdemer.com/category/athome/ or by visiting Les Fruits de Mer on Facebook. The free Heritage Backup program and tools are available at https://www.lesfruitsdemer.com/projects/heritage-backup/.

Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House is located on the hill above Le Galion. Entry is free to all. More information and a map are available at http://amuseumnaturalis.com/.

Les Fruits de Mer Launch Amuseum@Home for Local Learning

Free ebooks about nature are included in Amuseum@Home.

The Les Fruits de Mer association has launched a free at-home learning program. Amuseum@Home shares several fun learning resources each day via social media and the Les Fruits de Mer website. The program supports local learning while schools are shut down and St. Martiners of all ages are staying at home to avoid spreading coronavirus. 

“With the acceleration of this global pandemic we knew we had to act,” explained Les Fruits de Mer President Jenn Yerkes. “Sharing these free learning tools and activities can help kids stay engaged and entertained during this difficult time, while also learning about their island. It can help parents and teachers too. We hope that it also makes it easier for people to stay at home to slow the potential spread of coronavirus.”

The Amuseum@Home program launched on Sunday with an ebook about pond birds, a set of coloring pages and a short documentary film about flamingos on St. Martin. The theme for the day was wetlands. Les Fruits de Mer plans to share several resources each day.

Coloring pages and other activities are being shared for free.

“This is a very hard time, but the rich nature and heritage of St. Martin have a way of lifting spirits,” said Les Fruits de Mer co-founder Mark Yokoyama. “Let’s find inspiration in the stories of St. Martiners and in the amazing plants and animals that have survived countless droughts and tempests. It is a good time to explore and celebrate what makes this island special.” 

All of the Amuseum@Home materials are offered for free. To access them, visit Les Fruits de Mer on Facebook, or go to https://www.lesfruitsdemer.com/category/athome/ for daily collections of books, activities, videos and more.

The St. Martin 100

Where can you look if you want to learn more about St. Martin? If you want to know about hotels, restaurant and tourist attractions, head to the internet. If you want to know what commanders were in charge of the colonies and how many barrels of salt were produced in the 19th century, look in various government archives. If you want to know foreigners saw the island, many of the history books written in the 20th century will tell you.

But what if you want to learn about life on St. Martin—how it is and how it was? What about local culture? What about local events that weren’t “historical” enough to make it into the permanent record? What about the knowledge passed down from generations?

The best, and often only, source of this knowledge is direct conversation with St. Martiners. At this very moment, the people of the island know more about St. Martin than all the sites on the web and all the archives in Europe. This is a tremendous resource. It is the most vast and valuable part of St. Martin’s heritage.

There is a line that has been slipping away for a long time. It is a fuzzy line drawn somewhere in the early 1960s when the age of tourism began in earnest. It is a line that divides those that remember the island’s traditional period and those who never knew it. It is a line edging close to the horizon.

It is time to act while a different era is still remembered. (Barbara Cannegieter postcard collection)

St. Martin’s unique cultural legacy will endure, as it has for hundreds of years. But the depth and richness of that legacy will depend largely on what we are able to record today and in the coming few years. It will depend in part on how we protect and preserve what has already been documented. But most of all, it will depend on how many people we can speak to and how many stories we can record right now.

With time working against us, perhaps we can start by identifying the St. Martin 100. Who are the 100 St. Martiners who need to be interviewed most urgently? Perhaps their oral histories are of special value because of their experience or role in the community. Perhaps the perfect St. Martin 100 simply captures a diversity of experience: people from all walks of life from all over the island. Certainly it includes elders who can still remember life when it was very different here.

Of course, the St. Martin 100 is just a start. If 100 oral histories could be recorded a year, a library of 1,000 interviews could exist in a decade. So many stories would be saved and so many traditions described from different points of view. This would be a true library of culture and heritage.

Who would you suggest for the St. Martin 100? Tell us by writing in to The Daily Herald or [email protected].