TURTLE-TURTLE AND THE WIDE, WIDE RIVER

Help comes in unexpected ways as a lone baby turtle battles a storm-tossed river.

Heron, Frog, and Otter all know the signs: “The reeds rustled. / The waves crashed. / The lightning flashed. / The thunder clapped, / and the rain pelted down, down, down.” Turtle-Turtle, however, is too young to understand what’s happening. So while the others run for cover, he cowers under his shell on their small island. After a climactic double-page spread in which the little reptile is tossed this way and that in the water, he learns that he can hold his breath underwater and keep his eyes open—qualities he didn’t know he had. With the support of the other animals, Turtle-Turtle reaches land once again. The authors’ use of alliteration, onomatopoeia, and internal and end-of-line rhymes makes this story flow effortlessly and dramatically when read aloud. These elements, as well as the repetition of words and a refrain, will encourage even the youngest listeners to participate. Will Hillenbrand’s digital scenes employ diagonal lines, signs of motion, and a darker palette to signal the danger, whereas the aftermath depicts a return to calm and a gradual brightening, leading to a rainbow. The book’s dedication suggests that the inexperience and resilience of children during the pandemic—and the support of helpers—were inspirations.

The target audience will appreciate this tale of getting by with a little help from one’s friends.