A cute picture book that teaches various concepts in a way that children will enjoy. It is about a Sonoran Desert Tortoise named Bubby who leaves his home and is adopted by a young girl. He lives in the desert in a protected environment with his own little pond. Throughout the story you meet his friends, cactus wren, rabbit, gecko, and his humans, who work together to teach the reader about the habitat (Sonoran desert), needs, and care of desert tortoises. Bubby also learns about friendship, kindness, generosity, and teamwork and the story reinforces these concepts with the reader/listener. The illustrations are beautifully done. The colours are true to the environment and there is plenty of detail. At the end of the book there is a glossary, fun facts, information about Arizona's Desert Tortoise Adoption program and instructions for making a bookmark. A great book when learning about habitats, endangered species and character traits. A good addition to a classroom or school library. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley. ( )

Bubby’s Puddle Pond by Carol Hageman is a short, sweet story about a darling baby desert tortoise. Not only is there information about tortoise life, and behaviour, but there are great lessons of cooperation, sharing, and accepting differences in others. Bubby is adopted by a ma and daughter, and has the run of the tortuga-friendly backyard. He meets new friends- a bunny, a cactus wren, a gecko, a quail, and a puppy. Bubby comes to share his burrow with both Cotton the Bunny and Dottie the Gecko. There is a lesson in courage, when Bubby must go investigate what the strange man is doing in the yard, and things don't go as he expected!

This was certainly a cute read, but I did find the span of time that passes to be confusing. Some three years passed, measured by Bubby’s hibernation cycles. For younger readers that's not too much of an issue, but it is jarring to older readers. My cubs really enjoyed this quick read. They really loved the artwork, which is quite cute. There's even a section at the end with adult level information regarding the care of desert tortoises. I had no idea that the only place you can legally own them is Arizona!

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Niña Story Books for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. ( )