Customer Reviews

Turtle Spring

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Clee isn't happy about the new baby who is getting all the attention and making a lot of noise. But her wild Uncle Fishtank has the right touch when he gives Clee a gift just for her-"She ain't a gift for a baby". Clee loves her exotic pet turtle and by the time winter comes around most of the baby excitement has worn off. As the snow piles up, the baby grows and Clee learns to be a big sister. But the turtle seems to have died from the cold. So, when spring thaw comes and Clee realizes the turtle has only been hibernating, the children rejoice together in its return. The colorful, full-page watercolor pictures, handsomely laid out, are crisp and lively and beautifully, complement this lovely story which is told with warmth and humor.

Many complex issues are addressed in Turtle Spring. A new baby has arrived and Clee is feeling a bit neglected. Her father has gone away to work for many months and she misses him. Her uncle brings her a turtle to care for and she learns what to do the hard way. There is a long harsh winter and her father is delayed in returning home.

Those are a great number of issues for a small child to deal with. I found that my children (3 and 5 years old) did not follow this book very well. The book did not specifically say that Uncle Fishtank Hal gave Clee a turtle, but I paused reading to ask them to find the thing on the page that was a gift for her. They successfully found that the turtle was the gift.

However, it was not clear that Clee believed the turtle had died. I suspected this, but not knowing the ending I did not know how to engage my children to become involved with the story. It wasn't clear if I should lead them to believe the turtle had died or if I should lead them to believe he was fine.

At the end, the fact that the turtle was still alive was lost on them. They really had no idea why Clee was crying or exactly what it meant that a turtle was cold.

If you are working with your children to learn about turtles or the seasons, you may be able to work this book in if you read it quietly to yourself before reading it to your children. Be prepared to fill in where the book leaves information out. Doing so will make this book more enjoyable for everyone.

Clee wasn't thrilled about her new baby brother. He got all the attention. Then Uncle Fishtank Hal came to visit and brought Clee a wonderful gift. "She's a rebel with no cause, jumped tank one time too many." It was a turtle!

In late summer, Clee's father left to work a job that would take several months, and it was lonely for Clee. But she had her turtle. Fall arrived and in November the air turned colder. Clee ran to her turtle's home and he was 'stone still, stone cold.' Clee wished she'd taken in the turtle. It was too cold for him to live outside. Now he was gone! Her heart was sad. Fall became winter and winter became spring and Clee mourned the loss of her turtle. In early April Clee and her brother visited the sandbox and saw movement from the compost pile where turtle had lived. Clee and her baby brother receive a wonderful surprise! Guess who emerged from the warmth of the compost pile.

Turtle Spring is a charming story with words so crisp and descriptive that adults as well as children will be drawn to it. The illustrations are many and delightful. Each colorful picture will hold a child's attention long after the page has been read.

My favorite character is Uncle Fishtank Hal. His part is small and I wanted more of him. It would be great if Uncle Fishtank Hal could have his own book. The only criticism I have is that the turtle is never formally introduced. Fishtank Hal talks about him, but he's never formally introduced. We're to assume, when the turtle appears on the next page, that that was the gift. Adults most likely will have to explain to children that the turtle was the gift.

Armchair Interviews says: Turtle Spring will be a favorite of children with the interesting story and crisp, fun narrative. The bonus is a page about turtles and hibernation.