Jean Reidy

I requested this because it was illustrated by Cummins, whose debut picture book, Hungry Lion, has become a favorite of myself and my library. I've learned that you never know what to expect from the books Cummins illustrates and this is no exception!

Jean Reidy has a solid backlist of titles behind her - favorites of my young readers are her earliest trilogy, Too Purpley! Too Pickley! and Too Princessy! and in this book she creates a solid story for Cummins to illustrate in her own show more inimitable style.

Truman is a tortoise, a sweet little tortoise the size of a doughnut. He lives with Sarah in a city, high above the traffic, and enjoys his quiet life with her very much. But one day, things change. Sarah, who has straight black hair and lightly tan skin, puts on new clothes, a big backpack, gives Truman extra treats, and after telling him to be brave... she leaves!

Looking out the window, Truman sees Sarah boarding the bus that roars beneath their window and after waiting and worrying, decides that he must go after her, even though he is a very small tortoise and the city is very big and frightening.Truman makes a slow but determined journey across the apartment, finally arriving at the front door... just as Sarah returns home. Truman happily greets her and is returned to his cage, to dream of traveling together with Sarah to school.

Cummins' art is a gentle accompaniment to this sweet story, showing the contrast of a busy city below and the quiet haven of the peaceful apartment above. Truman is small and determined, and the perspective shifts that show how daunting the empty apartment is for him are perfect, and will resonate in the minds of small children who are getting ready for a new adventure, like school.

Verdict: A quiet but powerful book, perfect for shy children who need a little boost in their confidence and for anyone who loves tiny turtles, as small and sweet as a doughnut.

ISBN: 9781534416642; Published July 2019 by Atheneum; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library show less

Bob is an obnoxious bear who claims to be the biggest, strongest, and smartest, and has zero curiosity about any of the other forest animals. When Bill (a badger?) enters the scenes, full of questions and ready to listen, the animals open up to him immediately, and they all become friends. Bill wins Bob over too - by asking him about himself, inspiring him to ask a question back. "Bob and Bill talked and listened, and listened and talked," and Bob learns that it feels better to have friends show more than to spend all your time caring about who is biggest/strongest/smartest.

Makes a great point about friendship and listening without being didactic about it.

See also: Mabel Wants A Friend by Bernstein/Rosenthal show less

When his little girl goes away one day, riding the 11 Bus southward, Truman the tiny tortoise becomes anxious, especially when she doesn't come back for some time. Finding a way out of his terrarium, he sets out on an epic cross-apartment journey, determined to catch up with Sarah, even if he has to take the 11 Bus himself...

The classic "first day of school" story is told from a different perspective in Truman, which offers the pet's-eye-view of the big day when children set out for the show more first time as students. Truman is a sweet, engaging little hero, and his determination to find Sarah is heartwarming. The artwork here, done by Lucy Ruth Cummins in gouache, brush marker, charcoal and colored pencil, is colorful and cute. Recommended to anyone looking for children's stories about tortoises/turtles, about pets who love their children, or about the first day of school. show less

Peaceful and pensive (and not bigger than a doughnut) describes Truman in a story about bravery, love and devotion.

Truman is a small turtle, who enjoys his life with his owner/friend, Sarah. All is peaceful until one day he notices she behaves slightly different. When she gets on Bus 11, his peaceful world slowly turns to worry. Until he discovers a new trait, bravery, and decides to find Sarah on his own.

Truman is adorable! He holds the calmness and devotion of a true turtle in every way, show more but allows himself to grow as the situation requires. His bravery comes in little steps, and for him, this is exactly right. The vast, scary world hits in a way young readers will sympathize with...and Truman is the perfect character to take it on. It's easy to cheer for him, and his actions warm the heart. The ending opens up to a bright future, while staying as peaceful and calm as Truman...with perhaps, a tiny dab of possible adventure.

The illustrations carry the right amount of charm to let Truman do his thing. The reader is pulled into Truman's world with simplicity and the right amount of warmth and love. Young listeners will be able to 'read' the story to themselves by flipping through the illustrations and discover things they might have missed before along the way.

This is a sweet book with mounds of heart, which is sure to be read again and again and again.

I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed the tale very much. show less