Customer Reviews

Old Turtle

5 star:		(66)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is a book worth having, if only for the stunning artwork by Illustrator Cheng-Khee Chee. But in addition to the artwork, the story is one that is ideal for young and old. In this story, the world begins as a beautiful place, filled with luscious trees and colorful plants and flowers, stuffed with a wide variety of strange and exotic creatures. They begin talking, then discussing, then arguing over who God is. Before they come to blows, Old Turtle offers her wisdom and view of the future. There is peace until God adds people to the earthly creatures, and they (we) go through the same argument - whose definition of God is the accurate or better one? The people argue, hurt each other, wars break out (stop me if you've heard this one!). Old Turtle comes to the rescue again. Diversity, God as in all of us - a wonderful book, and absolutely worth having or giving in hardcover.

I received this book years ago as a holiday gift from an adult friend to an adult me! However, my grand-daughter has heard this story over and over since she was 3 or 4, and it has led to many wonderful discussions about tolerance, diversity, the Creator, taking care of Mother Earth and all her children, what "God" might be like, etc. I'm not really wild about organized religion, but through repetition and gentle discourse according to her age, I've managed to convey to her a grounded understanding of spirituality to be found in nature and in everyday life.

In addition, this has become my standard newborn baby gift.

I still have this amazingly and beautifully illustrated story book in hard cover with the "1993 ABBY Book of the Year Children's Book Award" gold sticker on the front. This book is a priceless gem that I have read to my children countless times.
Douglas Wood's phenomenal writing teaches us about honoring the diversities among nature, plants, trees, mountains, the ocean, and all of the different kinds of people on Earth.
Cheng-Khee Chee created the most beautiful watercolor illustrations that look brand new over a decade later in the hard cover edition, which is truly the only edition you would want to buy.
The story is too beautiful to describe. It is an amazing experience. If you want to know which book out of a million to read to your children, this is the one.
HIGHLY Recommended. It is Priceless, and as an adult, I love reading this book as much as my children love hearing it. A MUST BUY, and A MUST READ!

I had first heard of this book when I was in high school and trying to decide what to do with my life. Such a big deal was being made of it that I decided to pick it up in the bookstore and read it. I cried at the end! It was given to me as a gift shortly thereafter and I have kept it with me ever since. It has touched me, and explains god in a way that children and even disenchanted young adults can understand. It also helped me find my way to ecology and the study of god's beautiful creation. I highly recommend this for anyone struggling with how to explain god to their child, or who want to help their children understand the sacredness of life and the beauty within all of us. I still sniffle every time I reach the end.

I am so torn here. I love this book - my mother would love this book. So what's the problem? It's a feel good book that seems like it would better reach a new parent, a teen, or someone going through hard times better than a child.

The story clearly has a moral tale to convey. I tend to like that, and I love the message on diversity. Unfortunately, as far as plot/story, it falls short. It fails to go beyond just a morality lesson. And for this, it failed to captivate either of my children.

If the target audience are children: For lessons on friendship with story intact, try pumpkin soup. For a story about diversity and acceptance, try The Woman Who Outshone the Sun. For general moral tales - Zen Shorts.

The Publisher's Weekly review said this is too difficult for children. But back when it was first in bookstores, my 6-year-old daughter told me there was a very good book we should look at. She took my hand and led me to Old Turtle in a bookstore, where she had discovered it herself. We bought it promptly. Kids need everyday books like how Tommy first tied his shoe, but until pre-teen brain damage sets in, we need to give them more credit for the higher concepts they can understand. For us, it was the story that touched us so deeply. The illustrations were just a lovely and interesting bonus.

How do you explain what God is to children? As a parent, how do you explain about the importance of caring for the environment and all living creatures? This book accomplishes these things and more. The flowing text and beautiful water-color drawings inspire an understanding of Spirit that children and adults alike can relate to. If you have children, please share this book with them, my daughters love it. If you don't have children, buy this book as a gift for yourself, and read it often, to reconnect with the Spirit that is all around us and in everyone of us. Many thanks to Douglas Wood and Cheng-Khee Chee for such a beautiful book, it has become a family favorite.

Wow...What a wonderful book! I would have to say this is probably one of the very best books I have ever read! Along with the amazing illustrations is a wonderful story of who the animals, mountains, the winds and the waters, the fish, and the rocks and the birds, and the trees see God. I think in a way it gives us a simile on how all of the different things of the earth could symbolize how all the different religions see God. But as the Old Turtle said God is all of the things that they said. God IS!
I would highly recommend this book to parents or teachers to read to children.
The Illustrations of the book are water colors and with how the author places the setting and talks about all the creations of the world I think it really ties the book and illustrations together. ~Kellie~

This book might be seen as a children's book, but adults could learn lessons of God, love, acceptance and the celebration of diversity from this beautiful book. The watercolors are stunning, and the words bring the story across with gentleness and simplicity. A classic. And be sure to look for the new recording by the Turtle Creek Chorale and Women's Chorus of Dallas for the musical setting of this book with Marlo Thomas narrating. Listening to this moving music while reading the book brings every art form together for a true emotional experience.

I NEVER write reviews, but I had to write about this one!

It talks of all the different aspects of the earth and their arguments with each other over what is God. Old Turtle speaks up and proclaims that God is all the things they have said, but most importantly, GOD IS.

Old Turtle then goes on to talk about how humans are coming and are a gift. The humans do come, but they forget the gift and thereby destroy much of the earth. When they remember, they realize that if they love, they will experience the gift of God again.

This is how I want to teach my son and new baby about God. Not the politics of who is "right" or "wrong." We can all just be assured that through whatever spiritual path we are all on, we can take solace in knowing that GOD IS.

Beautiful story.