Hurry, Little Tortoise, Time for School!
Written by Carrie Finison
Illustrated by Erin Kraan
Random House Studio (2022)
ISBN 9780593305669
Listen to a sample from the audiobook.
It’s the first day of school and Little Tortoise is ready with a backpack filled with new school supplies. Little Tortoise can’t wait to get to school and tries very hard not to be the last student there.
But soon Cheetah, Llama, and even a snail on a scooter, overtake her. And then when she gets stuck in the gutter of the book, she’s sure she’ll be the last pupil to arrive! But the timely arrival of Mr. Sloth, her new teacher, changes everything.
Gentle reassuring language full of wordplay, and bold and bright art by an up-and-coming artist offer students a comforting story about this new experience.
If ordering from Belmont Books, request a signed copy in the Order Comments field. Please note any special personalization (e.g. children’s names).
Reviews
“Children will giggle at this funny story about persistence and trying to do one’s best; they’ll definitely root for Little Tortoise. The humor is amplified by swift pacing, abetted by brisk page turns and snappy, exclamatory sentences. Onomatopoeic words and words occasionally set in large capitals enhance the comedic effect. The colorful illustrations exude liveliness; animal characters are very expressive, especially Little Tortoise, who’s an endearing, self-assured charmer . . . . Hurry to read this adorable, delightful twist on a very familiar tale.” – Kirkus Reviews
“Every year I select my favorite Back to School picture book title. And this year that honor is going to this marvelous work by Finison and Kraan . . . . [The] true joy of the book is the narrative. It’s so enthusiastic with lines like, “She is probably setting a new land speed record for tortoises.” Then you get kooky sounds from other critters . . . the readaloud aspects are great, but then just LOOK at Erin Kraan’s art at work here! Woodcuts illustrated with watercolors? With a gorgeous brown/pink palette? All that and the racing stripes painted on Little Tortoise’s shell make me extra happy.” – School Library Journal
If ordering from Belmont Books, request a signed copy in the Order Comments field. Please note any special personalization (e.g. children’s names).
Themes
First day of school, self acceptance, differences, connections with teacher
