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Thursday, December 17, 2020

Turtle Walk, written and illustrated by Matt Phelan. Greenwillow Books, Harper. 2020. $21.99 ages 3 and up

 

"Turtle walk. Nice and slow.
Here we go. 
Are we there yet? 
No.
"

A walk with family is just one of the joys that families can enjoy in these days of isolation and being at home. For this turtle family, the trek takes longer than the epidemic has lasted. Beginning in spring sunshine, the family - two parents and two children - set out to explore their surroundings, an unspoken destination in mind. Around the pond, across fields of flowers they walk. 

By the time spring turns to summer, they are moving ever-so-slowly forward, echoing the same refrain about being there soon. The answer continues to be NO. Patient and plodding, they continue to move forward. Passing a field of sunflowers. a lone grasshopper, children playing outdoors, and brilliant fireflies, they head toward autumn. Not there yet, they are witness to familiar fall activities. Still no end in sight. With the arrival of snow, the walk becomes more labored and even slower. A hill to climb proves difficult. When the answer to the perpetual question is YES, they are in for a big surprise! 

Little ones will love it, and want to hear it again, and for good reason. There is much to see on the quick return trip. All are reminders of their family walk and the absolute joy that ends it. Clear and simple, indeed: a perfect book. It is a 'keeper'. 
                                                                                           
                                                                          


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