Turbo Turtle by Gregg Dreise

"Way back before Once-upon-a-time time ..."

A little lizard is born and then grabbed by an eagle. He is rescued by Biamme who names him Warrabah. Warrabah enjoys life in this new place, but he longs to return to his homeland. The journey with the eagle has taken him far across the land. Biamme tells Warrabah he can set off to find his family but there are rules to follow. 

"I give you this magic because you have a wonderful kind heart. Use it to search this land and find your family. Be sure to ask permission to be on the different Countries. Let the Elders know what you are doing and ask permission to hunt on your travels."

As with all cautionary tales, Warrabah does not listen and he is impatient and he breaks these very important laws. He is taken back to face the Elders and the scene turns violent:

"They threw their spears. The two shields grew onto Warrabah's body and he ducked his head and arms behind the shields."

Have you guessed what happens? This will be a terrific book to share in your library - it fits into the category of Pourquoi stories - in this case How did the Turtle get his shell? Why do turtles move slowly? Pourquoi is the French word for "why". Pourquoi stories try to explain in an entertaining way why something happens or why things are the way they are, especially in nature.

Bookseller blurb: That lizard wriggled so much his tail broke off. He fell, but Biamme made a safe landing for him. Biamme gave him speed and he became turbo-charged. Biamme shared the Lore with him. When that lizard forgot to ask the Elders permission to hunt on their Country they complained to Biamme. He had to face the punishment called Boreen. Biamme gave him two boreens (shields), which grew on each side of his body to protect him from the Elders spears. He's not turbo-charged anymore.

Thanks to Magabala books for this review copy. Turbo Turtle was published on 11th November 2025. Here are some very detailed and very useful teachers notes. 

This morality tale is a Dreaming story as told by the Gomeroi/Kamilaroi and Euahlayi people of southwest Queensland and north-west New South Wales. Through creating this book, Gregg Dreise not only shares the importance of Lore, language, identity and home, but also subtly includes the challenges faced by members of the Stolen Generations removed from Country, disconnected from family and culture. He also shares the lessons that can be learnt from making mistakes. With important messages of respect, consequences, patience and responsibility, Turbo Turtle also relays the value of connection, acceptance and belonging.  

This is the fourth book in the Scales and Tales series – (it's) more than just a story about the origins of our native creatures for each has an underlying message that relates to human behaviour – in this case, it’s about actions and consequences, and how those consequences can change our pathway forward, even our lives, so that we find where we belong – and how that reinforces the connection to Country that guides today’s First Nations generations. Dreise expands on the origins of this story and its implications on the final page ... The Bottom Shelf

Look for other titles in the Scales and Tails series by Gregg Dreise:

And this book: