Turtle Picture Books All the Way Down

Hurry Up and Slow Down

Layn Marlow

Hare is always raring to go. He races through the day while the ever-patient Tortoise does his best to keep up. Hare, it certainly seems to Tortoise, has boundless energy. So Tortoise has plans for when it is time for Hare to go to bed - a well-deser ved rest with a cup of chamomile tea! And, for the first time in the day, it is Tortoise who is in a hurry. He reads speedily, with one eye on his cuppa. But Hare has other ideas. As far as he is concerned, when it's time for his bedtime story from Tortoise, he is no longer in a hurry. In fact he wants to take all the time in the world and linger over every picture. After all, some things just shouldn't be rushed! Toddlers will love this simple story, with its cosy farmland setting and lovable characters. And while adults are reading a story that highlights the differences between the energetic and impetuous Hare and the rather more circumspect Tortoise, they will no doubt smile as they recognise the parallels with their own experiences of childcare!

Turtle in the Sea

Jim Arnosky

A poignant story of a sea turtle mother who lays her eggs late one night, this is also a subtle story about how important it is for mothers to take care of themselves for their children's sake. Dramatic and perfect for beginning readers, this bo ok tells of near misses with sharks, boats, storms and nets-all the things a turtle mother must battle in order to stay alive. The turtle mother will not stay to see her eggs hatch, because that is the turtle way. But by ensuring her own survival, she gives her children the gift of life.

Michelle Cuevas

In Turtle's shell there's room for only one. But in Turtle's heart, there is room for everyone! This tale of a lonely turtle who comes out of his shell to find friendship and community celebrates diversity and inclusion. When a solitar y turtle decides to make some renovations to his shell, he doesn’t have a blueprint, only a dream for a better life. He starts by building a deck—though he figures the deck could use a fireplace. And a fireplace needs wood, so naturally, he plants a garden. But it isn’t really a garden without a pond . . . Soon, Turtle can barely recognize his own shadow. Finally satisfied with the intricate world upon his back, word begins to spread of the magical “Town of Turtle,” attracting newcomers from far and wide. All are welcome in Turtle’s town, where life is a little less lonely, if only you come out of your shell.

Matt Phelan

Turtle walk. Nice and slow. Here we go! Explore all four seasons with this charming-and patient!-turtle family. Award-winning author-artist Matt Phelan guides the youngest readers from the first blooms of spring and the scorching sun of summer to the crisp leaves of fall and fat snowflakes of winter.

Cathryn Falwell

While their neighbors in the pond . . . leap! lurch! scamper! and splash! six silent turtles sit still as stones. Will the turtles ever move? Read this book and find out. What are you waiting for? Scoot!

Tortoise Brings the Mail

Dee Lillegard

Because Tortoise is slow to deliver the mail, one animal after another offers to do a better job, but the successful completion of the task always depends on Tortoise.

Martin Waddell

Harry Tortoise is slow. He's very, very, very slow. He wants someone to play with, but everyone is so quick. Will he ever find a friend who is as slow as him?

Hurry and the Monarch

Antoine O Flatharta

When the beautiful orange Monarch on her fall migration route from Canada to Mexico stops to rest at Wichita Falls, Texas, she makes friends with an old tortoise called Hurry. She tells him, "Maybe one day you'll break out of that shell, gr ow wings, and fly away," and then she is off again with millions of other Monarchs. In the spring, she stops again at Hurry's garden just long enough to lay her eggs and head north to Canada. Embedded in this lyrical and tender fictional presentation are the fascinating facts about the amazing 2,000-mile migration and the life cycle of butterflies. An afterword provides additional scientific data.

Jef Czekaj

Hip is a turtle who raps really slowly. Hop is a bunny who raps superfast. One afternoon they see a poster for a rap contest and become friends. On the day of the big event, rappers like LudaFish and Notorious P.I.G. take the stage. It comes down to a rap-off between Hip and Hop, but this time neither slow nor fast wins the prize. This engaging new take on the fable of the tortoise and the hare combines elements of comics with a traditional picture book. Hilarious mini-raps recited at varying speeds make for a rollicking read-aloud that kids will want to hear—and perform—over and over.

Jean Reidy

After his best friend Sarah leaves for her first day of school, a tortoise named Truman goes on an adventure across the living room and learns to be brave in this thoughtful and heartwarming twist on a first experience story. Truman the tortoise live s with his Sarah, high above the taxis and the trash trucks and the number eleven bus, which travels south. He never worries about the world below…until one day, when Sarah straps on a big backpack and does something Truman has never seen before. She boards the bus! Truman waits for her to return. He waits. And waits. And waits. And when he can wait no longer, he knows what he must do. Even if it seems…impossible!

Thyra Heder

Nia loves Alfie, her pet turtle. But he’s not very soft, he doesn’t do tricks, and he’s pretty quiet. Sometimes she forgets he’s even there! That is until the night before Nia’s seventh birthday, when nAlfie disappears! Then, in an innovati ve switch in point of view, we hear Alfie’s side of the story. He didn’t leave Nia—he’s actually searching for the perfect birthday present for his dear friend. Can he find a gift and make it back in time for the big birthday party?

We Found a Hat

Jon Klassen

Two turtles have found a hat. The hat looks good on both of them. But ther are two turtles. And ther is only one hat.