Customer Reviews

Old Turtle And The Broken Truth

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Having never heard of or read "Old Turtle", I am not sure WHY I was compelled to look at this book while at the book store today. Perhaps it was the awesome watercolor on the cover..? At any rate, I sat and read the entire book. I remember looking up twice to see if anyone noticed how choked up I was getting - NOT the reaction I was expecting out of myself, but then again, I wasn't expecting to sit down and read one of the most eloquent, beautiful stories I've ever read. I immediately purchased it for an environmentalist/animal rights activist friend of mine, a brilliant girl with so much passion and ability to change the world, who of course I was reminded of by the little girl in the story. This book so amazingly sums up so many of the problems in our world and collective conscience, and so brilliantly pulls them all together into one fundamental flaw in our thinking, whether it's our ignorant views towards animals, nature, or the middle-east, etc. And it offers hope. I can't wait to give it to my friend!

I picked this book because I love turtles and I was intrigued about what on Earth (or anywhere, for that matter!) the Broken Truth might be....

Through Douglas Wood's narrative, I was taken to a land where every stone was a teacher and every breeze a language, where every lake was a mirror and every tree a ladder to the stars.....

And then in a brief moment, the sight of the Broken Truth falling to the ground in an especially poignant watercolor by illustrator Jon Muth.

I found the unfolding story to be told gently and with great care. As one other reader noted, it echoes so clearly many of the challenges which are inherent in humankind today.

And then, on the other hand, I am very familiar with this place where every stone is a teacher, every breeze a language, every lake a mirror and every tree a ladder to the stars.... Very worthy read... and very worthy of sharing with children and grown children everywhere.

Once in a land faraway, a truth fell from the sky and broke in half . . . and so begins the powerful fable told in lyrical words by Douglas Wood, accompanied by the evocative watercolor art of Jon J. Muth. Compared to many picture books, this volume appears subdued and perhaps more than a little daunting for book shoppers. But you know what they say about judging a book by its cover . . .

The story woven into these pages is straight forward enough. Mankind has got it wrong because they only have half the truth. Finding the broken truth that proclaims "You are loved" the people of this fable immediately recognize how special and precious that truth is. But, like so many things, the statement of truth becomes an issue who is loved and who is not. The story follows the progression of people as they fall further and further from the natural world and the simple truths all around them in pursuit of one half of a broken truth. Wars break out, and the world is a disillusioned, darkened place. Bring into this a young girl who sees differently, and goes on a quest to find the missing part of the truth. The conclusion isn't exactly surprising, given the tone of the text-that mankind is missing the point and needs to stop the fear, the hate and the misunderstanding that have become common currency. It's a good story, a powerful message, even if a bit simplistic. But it's not necessarily going to be a picture book for younger children. The tale at times becomes overlong, and the messages and themes are very mature ones-and may go over the heads of a young audience.

What really makes this book worthwhile, though, is the artwork. Brilliant watercolor images that are worthy of being framed and hung on the wall. Jon J. Muth subtly conveys the elegance and power of this story in his soft images alive with light and color. The pictures celebrate the connection to nature that is at the heart of the story. It was the artwork that sold me on this book, and it's what keeps me coming back to it. However, the maturity of the text is also reflected in the art. Images are impressionistic rather than clearly illustrated and this may be challenging for young readers to understand visually. It's not a bad idea to expose youngsters to these images, but you may want to simply discuss the pictures and what they think is happening rather than read the text.

A child ready for THE STORY OF JUMPING MOUSE and JUST SO STORIES will probably readily enjoy this story and the young heroine's quest to find the truth. Younger children may want to stick to retellings of AESOP'S FABLES, like The Tortoise and the Hare, or The Boy Who Cried Wolf. Then, when your child is older, this book will be waiting for them!

Happy Reading! ^_^ Shanshad

This story of a broken truth and the secret to peace and happiness is a remarkable tale for children and adults. Children may not grasp the full meaning of the story, but they may appreciate that it is a child who helps the world. Adults will find that the simple truth gives them chills. The watercolor illustrations are as beautiful as the tale.
I bought this book for my friend's birthday. Once you read it, you, too, will want to share it with those around you.

In an age of religious extremism, where every little group is convinced that it is the holder of the Truth, and every other group is mortally and sinfully wrong, this book presents an opportunity for discussion with your children. It does not answer what The Truth is (well maybe minimally). It discusses what it means to fervantly believe in a "broken truth" an incompete truth, that in the end puts you at odds with everyone else. It is an excellent lead in to the discussion of how it could be that human war over Truth (as if Truth needs assistance from Humans and guns).

In this sequel to the beloved "Old Turtle," the people of the Earth are living in peace until they discover a powerful truth that gives them strength and happiness. The result is that the Earth is soon full of suffering and war until one little girl seeks out Old Turtle, who tells her that what the people do not realize is that the great "truth" is broken and incomplete. It is then up to the little girl to travel back to the world and pass on the precious piece of wisdom that will provide the people with the whole truth.

While I certainly like the idea of a "broken truth" as a metaphor for explaining why so much goes so terribly wrong in the world in which we live, I had to admit that I was rather disappointed by the revelation of what were the two halves of the broken truth. The completed message is certainly worthwhile, and an important one for everyone to appreciate and understand, but I am not sure why half of that truth (the first half in this case), would create a world of war and suffering. However, young readers will not be sidetracked by such practical concerns and should find the message of "Old Turtle and the Broken Truth" to be something that meets their expectations. Douglas Wood's story is complimented by watercolors by Jon J. Muth.

This simple story is actually quiet complex and compelling, revealing the consequences of self-righteousness and intolerance. Within the first few pages, the author quickly sets the stage for conflicts that Old Turtle can explain with his insight and understanding. This is a timely story, as we are often confronted today with accepting others' viewpoints and cultures.

Under the cover of this benevolent looking Old Turtle hides a brilliant parable, brimming with poetry and soul, of how mankind loses contact with the original whole truth and from this separation people are fighting and suffering. Eventually, a Little Girl journeying through mountains, river and forests has arrived to learn the secret from the Ancient One who teaches her to hear the breeze again. The half stone of wisdom is passed down to the Little One to mend the broken truth and return the world to the land

"where Every stone was a teacher
And every breeze a language,
Where every lake was a mirror
And every tree a ladder to the stars."

I have not read a children's book more beautiful than this for a while, and like all other reviewers noted, may we always understand the langague of the nature and see oneness in each other.

Old Turtle is a beautiful book for young and old alike. My children loved it when they were very small, because it was peaceful and the watercolors are superb. Now that they are growing older, it gives us a starting point to dicuss such a large topic, such as God. The book is non-denominational, but instead takes a more unitarian approach to God, how we all have our own interpretations and how we can learn from others at the same time. Makes a great gift along with a turtle stuffed animal. Overall, I think the entire world would do good to read this book and take the message to heart.

After reading this book, and being completely swept away in the message, it is now the gift I give every child from birth to college age adult. The message is timeless and relevant to all. The writing is wonderful and the artwork excellent. It is a treasure.