“This book is dedicated to my
family, friends, teachers, and
everybody in the world who
is as interested in saving
water for our world as I am!”
— Chloe Hernandez

It all started at the pet shop.
I was just relaxing with my turtle
buddies when a family stopped
at our tank.
“I like that one!”
exclaimed the little girl as she
pointed at me. So I figured I had
myself a new home.

My new family was very nice.
I was well fed, and I played with
the kids a lot. There was only
one problem.

They were water wasters.

They left the water running while
brushing their teeth, took very long
showers, had dripping faucets, over
watered their plants, and left the
sprinklers on too long. This had to
stop and I knew it.

But, I just didn’t know what
a little turtle could do.

The next day:

“Otis, I’m home!”
the little girl announced.

“Christopher, where is Otis?”

“Did you check his tank?”
he replied.

“Yes. He’s not there!

Let’s go look for him,”
she suggested.

Earlier that day:

I knew I should have been in my
tank, but they had left the sprinklers
on and the faucet dripping.
I escaped from my tank while the
kids were at school and the adults
were at work. First I climbed out the
window, ninja style, across the
lawn and turned the sprinklers off.

Then I had to find a way to get back
in the house. I went under the fence
where Spike (my family’s dog) had
dug a hole.

I went through the doggie door,
and then I had to go turn off the
dripping faucet. I had to get
up to the sink, but how?

I had an idea. I would use Spike’s
water bowl to climb up onto the step
ladder. Then I would get onto the
counter and the rest would be easy.

Suddenly I heard a loud CRASH!
I had accidently knocked down
some dishes. I looked around.
“Good, no harm done,” I thought.
Then I remembered Spike. He had
been sleeping, and the dishes woke
him up. Oh no, big Spike would
surely eat me up! Better make this
a quick job.

Then I heard the front door open.
“Otis, I’m home!”, I heard. Uh oh,
the children were home! I ran like
lightening to the sink.

As it turns out, turtles can’t run so
fast, so by the time I got to the sink,
the children had found out that I
was gone and were looking for me.
“Go Otis, go!” I thought.

“Otis, there you are!” Oh no,
Christopher found me. Well there
was only one thing to do.

“Hello Christopher,” I said.

“What? Otis, you can talk?”

“Yes, and I am sorry I am out
of my tank, but I saw that you
left the faucet dripping and
the sprinklers on, and that wastes
a lot of water. Water is precious,
and we turtles definitely need
it to survive.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know. Can you
tell me some other ways to save
water Otis?”

“Of course I can!”

So Otis and the children discussed ways
to save water. For example, when it rains
outside Otis told them to turn off the
sprinklers. He also suggested that they
plant a California Friendly landscape,
which uses about 50% less water than grass.
He then told them that they should not use
water to clean the driveway; instead, they
should use a broom. Then Christopher
and his little sister shared the information
with their friends and neighbors.

Because of Otis the Turtle, many people
learned how to use water wisely.

Thanks Otis!

Chloe Hernandez . Author

Hi, I’m Chloe Hernandez, and I’m a sixth grade student
at Margarita Middle School. I enjoy writing, playing sports,
and spending time with my family. I got my inspiration for
this story from my pet turtle whose name is Otis. I consider
Otis to be more of a friend than just my pet!

Judy Stickel . Teacher

I am a sixth grade teacher at Margarita Middle School in
Temecula Valley Unified School District. I have enjoyed creative
writing and drawing since I was in elementary school, and now
have the joy of watching my students become creative writers.
I believe in writing across the curriculum and using the visual
arts to enhance my lessons.

Hi! I’m Cassi Tichy . Illustrator

Being a 5th grader at Valle Vista Elementary School (in east Hemet) has been so much fun this year! I really LOVE school, especially Science and Math. Some of my favorite things to do are singing in the school choir... drawing... learning to play the piano and oboe... drawing... collecting different kinds of giraffes... drawing... and hanging out with my friends and family... oh, and did I mention that I like to draw?! Yes, it’s true!

Having been an artist since I was about two years old, some would say it’s “in my genes.” I find it very interesting and exciting to see my improvements each year. Anime-type characters, as well as portraits of my friends and various animals, are what I am best at creating.

Someday, I plan on becoming an elementary school teacher, but I know that I will always remain an artist, too!

Finally, I really want to thank EMWD for such a wonderful opportunity and honor to illustrate this book! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Todd Baker . Teacher

Todd Baker has been teaching 5th grade at Valle Vista Elementary School in the Hemet
Unified School District for the past seven years. He has earned his B.A. in Psychology,
and holds a Master’s Degree in Teaching.

It is evident that Mr. Baker cares deeply about education, the students in his class
each year, and their academic and personal successes.

He offers the following thoughts about himself:
“I love teaching and learning through humor. All students are encouraged to look at
life and education through multiple perspectives. There are many creative ways to
solve problems and answer questions, as there are many ways to live life.”

Acknowledgements

Eastern Municipal Water District Education Specialist Malea Ortloff developed the Write Off program to encourage the wise use of water through literature. This program promotes cross-age learning and curriculum, providing an opportunity for middle school students to write and illustrate a water education story for elementary school students.

Eastern Municipal Water District wishes to thank the following students, teachers, graphic designer, and advisory committee for their collaboration and contributions in the development of this book.

Author

Chloe Hernandez

Mentor Advisors

Judy Stickel
Margarita Middle School Teacher
Temecula Valley Unified School District

Advisory Committee

Malea Ortloff
Education Specialist
Eastern Municipal Water District

Meggan Valencia
Public Information Officer
Rancho California Water District

Ailene Earl
Education Assistant
Eastern Municipal Water District

Book Design

Lisa Huppert
Studio L

Illustrator

Cassi Tichy

Todd Baker
Valle Vista Elementary School Teacher
Hemet Unified School District

Charlotte Golden
Principal Water Education Specialist
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

Teresa Barnett
First Grade Teacher at San Jacinto Elementary School
San Jacinto Unified School District

Copyright pending. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or quoted in whole or in part by mimeograph or any other printed or electronic means, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, or for presentation on radio, television, videotape or film without written permission from Eastern Municipal Water District.

This book is intended for educational, artistic, and water conservation purposes. Permission
is never granted for commercial purposes. Manufactured in U.S.A. The printing of this book
was sponsored in part by Rancho California Water District.