Turtle Spring

by Deborah Turney Zagwyn

Book Overview

Clee learns about the long sleep of winter and the rebirth that comes with spring. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1883672538
• ISBN13: 9781883672539
• Release Date: March 2004
• Publisher: Tricycle Press
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 9.4" x 12.1"
• Age Range: 5 to 7 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 2

Customer Reviews

Your children will love this

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.

lovely story

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.