What Newt Could Do for Turtle [Paperback]

Jonathan London (Author), Louise Voce (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Spring has come to the swamp. Newt wakes up from his winter's nap, deep in the mud. Luckily, his dearest friend, Turtle, wakes up and pulls him out. Now, Newt has spent the summer trying to think of a way to repay his friend. As winter closes in, Turtle is in real trouble and Newt finds a clever, daring way to save him. Full color.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

When Newt is stuck in the mud, Turtle pulls him out. When a snake is about to gobble Newt, Turtle warns him. When an alligator approaches Newt, mouth open wide, Turtle causes a distraction. Turtle doesn't mind helping his red-spotted friend out of jams, he's just happy to have a companion in the swamp. But Newt is plagued by the question, "What can I do for Turtle?" He desperately wants to return the many favors his friend does for him, yet no matter how long he perches cross-legged on his thinking rock, he can't come up with the perfect reciprocal gesture. Finally, Newt's day arrives. When Turtle is flipped onto his back by a curious bobcat, Newt comes to the rescue with a lever system of his own amphibian design. Turtle is eternally grateful, and Newt is ecstatic with the joy of having helped a friend.

Jonathan London tells this simple story with a cadence and pace that will please readers and listeners, and with a voice that neither insists nor implies that repayment of friendly gestures is mandatory. Louise Voce's bright, bold drawings of swamp life will have children devouring the oversized pages, seeking out the rich variety of animal life contained therein. And, because Newt rates fairly high on the scale of all-time cutest picture book creatures, kids will want to return again and again to this gentle story of the natural give and take of friendship. (Ages 3 to 7) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

A small newt owes many favors to his large friend Turtle. How can he ever return them? "A funny yet pointed fable of the swamp that gives voice to children's anxieties about their own competency," said PW. Ages 3-up.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (April 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763605808
• ISBN-13: 978-0763605803
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,002,575 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it, love it, will love it!, August 16, 2001

By 

Sarah Rivera (Orlando, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: What Newt Could Do for Turtle (Paperback)

This book is one of the keepers - even when my kids get too old to be read to - this one is staying on the book shelf for my grandkids! Wonderful message, goofy characters, great illustrations!

4.0 out of 5 stars Great illustrations and story about showing appreciation for others, November 24, 2009

By 

Daniel Lantz "Dan Lantz" (STILLWATER, MN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: What Newt Could Do for Turtle (Paperback)

I attempt to find quality books that focus on salamanders and amphibians to review at my blog "a salamander blog" at [...]. This book was an exceptional find which I highly recommend. It had great illustrations, a valuable story about helping others without the expectation of a reward and examined the benefit of taking time alone in thought to think about how to reach a goal.

5.0 out of 5 stars Even at 26 years old I learnt a lesson from this!, October 22, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: What Newt Could Do for Turtle (Paperback)

Absolutely wonderful, if children can grasp the message in this book then when growing up and beginning friendships it will be a whole lot easier. I loved it! The graphics were brilliant and story simple but true!