Two Turtles by Kiah Thomas illustrated by Jack A Minton

Terrence and Frank are serious rivals. Everything is a competition. If you have siblings you might relate to this. 

"Who has the shiniest shell ... Who can walk the slowest ... Who is the best at pretending to be a shark?"

Then Frank falls off the cliff or perhaps he rolls off - is this an accident? - he cannot bear to lose so he turns this mishap into a competition too and calls out to Terrence 'Bet I can beat you to the bottom'. 

Naturally Frank takes up the challenge and he also jumps off the cliff. Luckily (or perhaps it could be a disaster) this is a very very high cliff. This means there is time to think. About halfway they both realise this could end very badly. At this point you, the reader, are invited to offer some help.

Both turtles have lots of things inside their shells. There are things they have stowed that can could save them but ... you and your young audience need to shout:

HEY, TERRANCE AND FRANK! JUST WORK TOGETHER!

What did they have in their shells? Do they land safely? And most important of all did they learn a life lesson about cooperation (not competition)?

Two Turtles is listed on TWO CBCA 2025 Notables lists - Picture Book of the Year and the Early Childhood list so I thought it must be an amazing book - sorry but I was slightly disappointed. First off I disagree that this is a book for very young readers aged 0-6. 

I made similar comments about Jetty Jumping (here are the teachers notes) and the inclusion of risk-taking behaviours for an audience of very young children. Jetty Jumping is a beautifully illustrated book and it tells a special story but I worried about it being listed for very young children. 

Secondly, Two Turtles is overtly didactic with its lesson about the importance of cooperation, but the ending shows the two turtles are not going to change that that their propensity to see every aspect of their relationship as a competition and it seems their rivalry will continue.

I do like:

• the way this book 'breaks the fourth wall'
• the expressive faces on the two turtles (and the bird)
• the humour - packing a toaster
• the wise little bird watching these silly turtles - you could write a whole story from his/her perspective
• the wordless page
• and there is room here to read other books such as The Hare and the Tortoise (text reference: who can walk the slowest); and The Great White Man-eating Shark by Margaret Mahy (text reference: who is best at pretending to be a shark). 
• The story structure is interesting moving from the present back to the past and then ending where the story started.

I'm not such a fan of:

• Repeated digital illustrations (you can see inside this book here)
• The sudden arrival of extra birds on the second last page - where did they come from?
• Two pages of black showing the side of the tall cliff
• The patterned end papers - do they relate to the story or are they decorative?
• I'm not sure how the four pigs fit into the narrative and also there is a puzzling wire frame around the tree stump where the bird is trying to catch a worm
• There are tiny butterfly decorations on some pages - are these necessary?

The Kids' Book Reviewer totally disagrees with me. 

The illustrations are stunners, with a gorgeous green and brown palette throughout and the funkiest of animal pals. A birdy spectator features on the pages, expressing its own views about the juvenile turtles with the most entertaining facial expressions. ... Two Turtles is a story for everyone. It’s a story about all of us. I highly recommend you grab a copy. It’s an award winner for sure!

What Book Next.com say: But instead of this becoming a tale of a terrible tragedy, readers will laugh out loud at the antics of two rival turtles. ... Entertaining to the last possible moment!  

Other reviewers liken Two Turtles to books by Jon Klassen such as This is not my Hat. Some other (better) books about rivalry for readers aged 6+ are:

The Real Winner

Best Test

I previously read and enjoyed a middle grade novel by Kiah Thomas - The Callers.

The Callers (five stars from me)

Jake A Minton entered this book in the CBCA New Illustrator award 2023. It didn't win but I was one of the judges and we all agreed this book had very special illustrations. 

There's no such book

Henry's Little Sister by Jo Weaver

 

Henry is introduced to his new baby sister. He is sure she will be happy to learn all his elephant wisdom but each time he shows Celeste something important she simply 'does her own thing'. When the pair wander off to eat some delicious acacia pods a storm whips up and they are separated from the herd. It is at this point that Celeste repeats back to Henry all the things he had been trying to teach her - smelling the air for water; and trumpeting loudly to alert the herd. Luckily their mother hears their trumpeting and arrives to help them. 

"Will you teach me more about being an elephant tomorrow?' Celeste whispered sleepily. 'Of course,' said Henry, happily. 'And let's do some more playing as well,' he added, cuddling up beside her."

I eavesdropped on a library session this week where the teacher-Librarian was explaining to her young group ways to determine if a book was fiction or non-fiction. One of the criteria she showed the group was the assigning of a human name to an animal - such as in this book where the young elephant is named Henry. At the same time there are 'facts' in this book such as the way elephants use their ears to keep cool, and using dust as a sun protection. 

Henry's Little Sister is a new book published in 2023. Jo Weaver is a truly special illustrator. You could pair this book with a non-fiction book about elephants such as these [hint library Dewey number 599.67].

Lousy, Rotten, Stinkin' Grapes by Margie Palatini illustrated by Barry Moser

"The problem was, Fox was only so high ... and the grapes were so, so, so high. 'No matter,' said he. I am sly. Clever. smart. After all, I am a fox."

Stop and ponder a few of these words - sly, clever, smart - and also think about the arrogance of 'I am a fox.'

Fox is certain he knows how to get those delicious grapes. He refuses to listen to the other animals who, as a reader, we can see, will have a much easier and potentially successful solution to the issue of obtaining those yummy grapes. He enlists the help of Bear and climbs onto his head but alas he is too short. Along comes Beaver. 

"You stand on Bear's head ... I stand on your tail. And on the count of three - Bear gives a boost - as you give an oomph - which brings me - there - and voila! Grapes!"

Beaver has a much better plan, but Fox will not listen. He climbs the tower of Bear and Beaver, but he is still too short. Along comes Porcupine. And yes, you've guessed the pattern of a tower of animals is repeated and of course it fails and of course Porcupine did have a way better idea, but Fox did not listen. Similarly, he does not listen to Possum. 

Next to arrive is Skunk but this time Fox declares defeat. Finally, this is the scene we have all been waiting for, Possum can run up the tree; Porcupine can shoot them down with his quills; Beaver can cut them down; and Bear can simply shake the tree. 

Fox storms off in a huff declaring he won't eat those lousy, rotten, stinkin' grapes while all other the animals settle down to enjoy them - they are delicious, huge, and so juicy. 

This book was published in 2009 and so sadly it is out of print but if you can track down a second hand copy, I do recommend this book as well worth adding to your school library collection. 

Blog report by James Patterson: Unable to reach the tantalizing bunch of purple grapes high in a tree, Fox, who considers himself sly, clever, and smart, makes a plan to get them. "Hop. Skip. Jump. Flying leap. And . . . No grapes." Which is when he turns to Bear for help. Bear eyes Fox's written plan and tries to make a suggestion, but Fox cuts him of with, "Ta-ta-ta-a-ta. Bear, Bear, Bear, my dear dim buddy. Your job is brawn. Not brain. You leave the thinking to me." Fox climbs atop Bear's head, but he's still not high enough, which is why he enlists the help, in quick succession, of Beaver, Porcupine, and Possum, stacking the animals into a not-quite-high-enough tower. The dialogue is crackling and Moser's realistic watercolors are comical in Palatini's latest reworking of the well-known fable.

Review: We see both the animal’s predatory authority and his egotistical foolishness when he is shown launching himself wildly at the grapes from various absurd locations. What really seals this picture book as a bedtime choice for children ages 4-8, though, is Ms. Palatini’s lively dialogue…In the end, as in Aesop, Fox stamps away disgruntled. But in this version, the other creatures feast cheerfully on the elusive delicacy that was, for resourceful them, always within reach. Wall Street Journal

Book design - notice the purple paper on the end papers, the placement of the grapes and fox on the title page, the huge bunch of grapes on the next page, and the eyes of the animals on the cover!

Here is a 2011 blog post by Margie Palatini. I was surprised to discover a book by Margie Palatini that was illustrated by our Australian illustrator Bruce Whatley.

Here are some other books by Margie Palatini:

Barry Moser is the celebrated illustrator of nearly three hundred books for children and adults. His work can be found in the National Gallery of Art, the Metropolitan Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, among many others. Barry Moser lives in Massachusetts.

Finally here are some Aesop collections worth finding and adding to a school library. You could also just browse the non fiction shelves at [398.24].

Frog series by Max Velhuijs

 

At a recent charity book sale I picked up a couple of books from the Frog series by Max Velthuijs. Reading them today I marvel at the way these simple books for young children contain such wisdom.The series begins with Frog is Frog. My favourite is Frog is a Hero. I need to add this one to my own collection. 

Wikipedia have a page devoted to this series: Frog "observes daily events from a childlike perspective, offering children insight into social interactions. In Frog's world, there is no status. All the animals are the same size, which gives them absolute equality. Every animal has its own personality and skills. Frog and his friends enjoy life and deal with real life issues, such as fear, love, sadness, and loss, making these difficult subjects and emotions more understandable for children. At the end of each book, there's always a positive solution for the dilemma's the animals face."

Max Velthuijs received the Hans Christian Andersen Medal in 2004 he died in 2005.

Here are three I have added to my shelves:

Frog and the Stranger (1993)

Is this new fellow a filthy dirty rat? A greedy fellow? A thief? No he is not. He is kind. He has stories to tell of his travels around the world. He is clever and can even speak three languages. Frog is keen to make a new friend but it will take several disasters to convince Duck, Hare and Pig that Rat does not deserve the harsh judgements they levelled at him before taking time to get to know him.

Blurb: When a rat comes to live at the edge of their wood, the animals decide they don't like having a stranger in their midst. But Frog is friendly by nature, and decides to find out if Rat is really as unpleasant as he is made out to be. As Frog discovers, Rat is intelligent and good-hearted, and proves in a series of unexpected emergencies that the other animals have been too quick to condemn him.

Key sentences: "He may be different from us, but he's not doing anything wrong and the wood belongs to everyone."  "Different said Frog, but we're all different."

Themes: New friends; Suspicion; Listening; Prejudice; Acceptance of difference; Kindness; Strangers

Frog and the Wide World (1998)

In a previous book (Frog and the Stranger) we met Rat. In this new installment Rat is setting off on an adventure. Frog asks if he can come along too but Frog is not really prepared for the long walk and sleeping outdoors. After a couple of days Frog becomes quite homesick so Rat agrees to lead him home. When all the friends are gathered together Frog describes his adventure with Rat in glowing terms. This ending is sure to make you smile. I would pair this book with The Trip to Panama by Janosch.

Blurb: When Frog hears that Rat is off in an adventure to explore the wide world, he excitedly joins him and they set off full of anticipation. But it doesn't take long for Frog to start missing his friends Pig, Duck and Hare. He soon discovers that he was much happier leaving the wide world where it was, far from home. . .

Key Sentence: "Right now, we're on our way to foreign lands. Look around you! See how beautiful it is? And every where is the unknown." "You're not ill, you're homesick."

Themes: Adventures; Journeys; Patience; Perseverance; Home; Storytelling.

Frog finds a Friend (2001)

Frog finds a teddy bear lying in the grass. He is sure given time and patience he can teach the bear to talk and indeed this is exactly what happens. Little Bear and Frog become great friends until one day Bear decides to leave. Frog is so upset but then one morning Frog wakes up to find Little Bear has returned - this is his true home.

Blurb: One fine autumn day, Frog finds a little bear lost and alone in the forest. He decides to take him home to be his new friend. Hare tells him bear won't be able to talk, but Frog is determined to teach him. And to the other animals' surprise, he does! They become the best of friends, but one day, little bear decides to go back to where he came from. Frog is inconsolable - will he ever see him again?

Key sentences: "He went up closer and saw that it was a little brown bear wearing a red sweater. It had beady black eyes and there was a teardrop on its cheek." "Before going to sleep, Frog told little bear fairytales and taught him words such as apple, rose moon ..."

Themes: New friends; Patience; Toys; Imagination; Kindness.

Here are all twelve Frog titles:

• Frog and a very Special Day Frog 
• Finds a Friend 
• Frog in Winter 
• Frog is a Hero 
• Frog and the Treasure 
• Frog is Frog 
• Frog and the Wide World 
• Frog is Frightened 
• Frog and the Birdsong 
• Frog in Love 
• Frog and the Stranger 
• Frog is Sad

The quiet blend of curiosity, respect, and joy in Velthuijs's text is enhanced by the simplicity of his bright, beautifully designed art. Kirkus (Frog and the Birdsong)

This is a Gift for You by Emily Winfield Martin

There seems to be a slight avalanche of books lately with advice for children - often either for a boy or for a girl but of course many are for both too. Lots of these, I think, will appeal to adults more than children themselves. Perhaps the publishers are aiming at grandparents or godparents or other close relatives who are looking for a book to gift to a new baby or young child.

This gift is for you reads like a poem. Kirkus say it feels like an extended greeting card. Here is Emily Winfield Martin's web page. I previously talked about her novel Snow and Rose. 

Here is part of the text from "This gift is for you". 

This gift is for you:

Just something little and out of the blue.

This is a thing that's true:

The best treasures fit in a pocket (or two).

This is a thing I know:

If we watch the world closely ...Magic will show.

Sp I'll give you this world like a lucky blue stone ...

The gift of alone ... And not being alone.

Emily Winfield Martin has another book in this genre:

You could pair this with one of these:

This is a new Australian picture book published in March, 2022. 

 have talked previously about an Evie Barrow book - I saw Pete and Pete saw me

The Go-Away Bird by Julia Donaldson illustrated by Catherine Rayner

The Go-Away bird rejects every offer of friendship from her rain forest companions. 

"I am the Chit-Chit bird. Will you chat with me? We can talk of the weather and other things like the colour of eggs, the the ache in our wings."

"I'm the Peck-Peck bird. Will you eat with me? There are juicy berries on every twig. We can peck, peck til we both grow big."

The four potential friends are each rejected and then along comes a huge brown bird - the Get-You Bird. This huge bird will not go away simply because the Go-Away bird demands this. Luckily the rejected friends see the danger. They form a team and save the day. But what of the Go-Away bird? Her life has been saved - how will she react? How should she react? I love stories that contain a life lesson but not in a didactic way. With an older group you should take a look at Shelter which is a perfect book if you want to talk about rejection and forgiveness. 

Everything about this book is of the highest quality as you would expect from the team of Julia Donaldson and Catherine Rayner. Too many authors attempt rhyme and it just fails but rhyme in the hands of a master like Julia Donaldson can sing. In fact in this book the words do feel like a song. The rhyme is not used for every line and the repetition of "go away" is simply a perfect way to engage young children.  This is a book that should be added to preschool read aloud program.

Make sure you take time to notice the fern leaf pattern on the end papers which is repeated on the title page and then used in various ways throughout the book. 

This is a delightful story about the value of friends especially in times of need. Kids' Book Review

A lovely tale about needing time to oneself, but also the value of friendship and teamwork. Lovely. Rogan's Books

This is a stellar author/artist partnership. Julia’s witty, bouncy rhyming text is pure pleasure to read aloud and highly join-in-able; and Catherine’s art is simply awesome – richly coloured and textured, superbly expressive: every spread is a joy to linger over – after you’ve read the story aloud once first. Red Reading Hub

Companion reads:

The Bad Mood

Oddbird

Little Wise Wolf

Welcome

Elmore