What is it about turtles that fascinates us? Is it how they hide inside their patterned shells, their wizened faces, their slow determination?

In Turtle Pond, a child and his parents visit their local public garden throughout the year, observing the turtles as they play, dive, feed, bask, climb, hide and doze. James Gladstone’s lively prose poem reveals the pleasure and curiosity that come from spending time with the turtles. Karen Reczuch’s stunningly beautiful illustrations accurately portray these extraordinary creatures, both in and out of the water, surrounded by lush plants and the changing seasons beyond the greenhouse windows.

An author’s note provides more information about turtles, including the Red-eared Slider featured in the book.

Out May 2018

MY THOUGHTS:

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

I love picture books with beautiful jackets.  Are there things about turtles that a child doesn’t know? Of course! This book is perfect for the turtle enthusiast and is accompanied with gorgeous, complimentary artwork that fit together like puzzle pieces.

James Gladstone’s lyrical poem is enhanced by Karen Reczuch’s talent and together you get this big, beautiful keepsake. James Gladstone is an editor and author of many books for children. He’s the one who wrote the highly acclaimed picture book, “When Planet Earth Was New.” That book was illustrated by Katherine Diemert and is absolutely wonderful!

Karen Reczuch has illustrated many award winning children’s books and her most recent, “West Coast Wild,” was written by Deborah Hodge. It won the Children’s Literature Roundtables of Canada Information Book Award. Other publications of Karen include: “Loon” by Susan Vande Griek, winner of the TD Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Non-fiction, the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Picture Book Award and many others.

I believe a successful picture is a success because of the partnership between good writing and illustrating.

“Turtle Pond” is fun, informative/educational and full of excellent illustrations. A true success!

I gave this book: