If you move slowly, then move early.

This was the advice that Bermudian writer Ezra Turner's father gave him as a child struggling with learning challenges.

The advice is echoed in Mr. Turner's latest children's book 'The Science Project — Nonsuch Island'.

The book, dedicated to Mr. Turner's father, Reginald Leroy Trott, tells the story of 14-year-old Chris Watson who is "a little slow". "He goes to school but he doesn't like school," said Mr. Turner. "He is a bit slower than the other kids."

In the story, Chris' teachers recommend that he be put into a special school. Chris' parents, however, have more faith in him than his teachers. "I am creating a family atmosphere," said Mr. Turner. "It is about his relationship with his parents."

In the story, Chris becomes interested in science when his class begins to do a project about endemic plants and animals of Bermuda. "They go to Nonsuch Island one day and learn about endemic plants," said Mr. Turner.

On Nonsuch Island, Chris meets retired government conservation officer David Wingate. "He talks with Dr. Wingate, who gives him some advice about life," said Mr. Turner. "He tells him about difficulties he himself had in school."

Dr. Wingate tells the fictional Chris how be became interested in the cahow. At that time Bermudians thought the bird was extinct.

"Dr. Wingate related how on one particular evening after the sun had set his father told him about a bird of the night called a cahow," said Mr. Turner. "He wondered if this bird could still exist and still be found in some remote undeveloped part of Bermuda. He became preoccupied about whether it would still exist in some place like Castle Harbour."

Of course, in real life Dr. Wingate and a team of scientists rediscovered the bird in 1951.

As an adult, Dr. Wingate worked to turn Nonsuch Island into a nature preserve and living natural history museum.

"A lot of people think that Bermuda's national bird is the longtail, but it is the cahow," said Mr. Turner. "This book gives you a lot of information about Nonsuch Island and Bermuda's natural history."

Mr. Turner had Dr. Wingate sign off on the book, before it was published.

Mr. Turner thought that his own battle with learning problems actually made the book easier to read. "I am dyslexic, so the way I write is easy reading and educational and fun all at the same time," he said.

"During the time I went to school, a lot of Bermudians were dyslexic but they didn't know what it was. I had trouble concentrating on things. I could lock into things, but if someone interrupted me I would have to go all the way back to the beginning."

He dealt with his problem by improving his memory. "I have a photographic memory," said Mr. Turner. "I can picture something and remember it.

"I do identify with the character with this book. He was just a little slow and just needed encouragement."

Mr. Turner said his own interest in science was inspired by Leon James, a science teacher at the old Robert Crawford school.

"The way he taught science it was like a story," said Mr. Turner. "It locked in. I think he got me interested in other subjects also and showed me how they were all connected."

He said his dyslexia means he sometimes does things halfway. "But my writing is 115 percent," said Mr. Turner. "I have spent a lot of time taking advantage of different things."

He has a sheaf of certificates from a variety of courses completed including a Police night course, a customs clearance course and a course at Agriculture & Fisheries.

He took a biology course last year because he wanted to familiarise himself with biology and young people.

"I was with 16- and 17-year-olds in the classroom," said Mr. Turner. "That was an experience. Nothing registered until I went home and studied my books. I would be up to 3 a.m. studying."

When he is not writing, he works for the Tuckers Point Club and drives a taxi. "Writing is my passion," said Mr. Turner.

Mr. Turner is the author of several other books including 'Bermuda Rock Lessons' , 'Pond With No End' and 'Adventures of King'.

They are available in local bookstores.