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Turtle Walk
Turtle walk. Nice and slow. Here we go! Explore all four seasons with this charming—and patient!—turtle family.
Award-winning author-artist Matt Phelan guides the youngest readers from the first blooms of spring and the scorching sun of summer to the crisp leaves of fall and fat snowflakes of winter. Fans of Anna Dewdney and Tad Hills will want to go on this journey again and again.
Spring blooms, and a turtle family is on the move. Slow and steady, they travel up, up, up, the gentle hill through all four seasons. Where are they going? To the top of the sledding hill, of course! But how will they get back down the hill to a well-deserved winter’s rest?
Matt Phelan’s simple, rhythmic text is filled with repetition that shines in read-alouds, and his soft, colorful watercolor artwork bring the seasons to vivid life. The joyful journey and gentle, rewarding surprise make Turtle Walk a timeless choice for every home and classroom.
Award-winning author-artist Matt Phelan guides the youngest readers from the first blooms of spring and the scorching sun of summer to the crisp leaves of fall and fat snowflakes of winter. Fans of Anna Dewdney and Tad Hills will want to go on this journey again and again.
Spring blooms, and a turtle family is on the move. Slow and steady, they travel up, up, up, the gentle hill through all four seasons. Where are they going? To the top of the sledding hill, of course! But how will they get back down the hill to a well-deserved winter’s rest?
Matt Phelan’s simple, rhythmic text is filled with repetition that shines in read-alouds, and his soft, colorful watercolor artwork bring the seasons to vivid life. The joyful journey and gentle, rewarding surprise make Turtle Walk a timeless choice for every home and classroom.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published October 6, 2020
2 people are currently reading
202 people want to read
About the author
Matt Phelan
49 books271 followersMatt Phelan made his illustrating debut with Betty G. Birney’s The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs (Atheneum/Simon & Schuster). Since then he has illustrated many picture books and novels for young readers, including Where I Live by Eileen Spinelli (Dial), Very Hairy Bear by Alice Schertle (Harcourt), and The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron (Simon & Schuster) winner of the 2007 Newbery Medal.
Matt studied film and theater in college with the goal of one day writing and directing movies. But his first love was always drawing, and the more he saw the wonderful world of children’s books, the more he realized that this was the place for him. Being an illustrator is in many ways like being an actor, director, cinematographer, costumer, and set designer rolled into one.
Matt writes: “I have a fascination with the decade of the 1930s. The movies were learning to talk (and in the case of King Kong, growl), the music was beginning to swing, and the nation was thrown into tremendous turmoil. On one hand, you see a level of suffering documented in the dramatic and gritty photography of Dorothea Lange and Walker Evans. On the other hand, consider what the American public was flocking to see in the movie theaters: the glamour and grace of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing in a series of perfect musicals. For my first book as both writer and illustrator (coming in 2009 by Candlewick Press), I naturally gravitated to this complex decade, specifically the strange world of the Dust Bowl.”
Matt studied film and theater in college with the goal of one day writing and directing movies. But his first love was always drawing, and the more he saw the wonderful world of children’s books, the more he realized that this was the place for him. Being an illustrator is in many ways like being an actor, director, cinematographer, costumer, and set designer rolled into one.
Matt writes: “I have a fascination with the decade of the 1930s. The movies were learning to talk (and in the case of King Kong, growl), the music was beginning to swing, and the nation was thrown into tremendous turmoil. On one hand, you see a level of suffering documented in the dramatic and gritty photography of Dorothea Lange and Walker Evans. On the other hand, consider what the American public was flocking to see in the movie theaters: the glamour and grace of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing in a series of perfect musicals. For my first book as both writer and illustrator (coming in 2009 by Candlewick Press), I naturally gravitated to this complex decade, specifically the strange world of the Dust Bowl.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
October 26, 2020
A family of turtles walks through the four seasons, ultimately sliding down a snowy hill to find their winter resting place. The same set of words is repeated throughout the books, a great early literacy experience as kids can listen to the different intonations and meanings these same words can take on in different contexts.
Themes: Seasons, Turtles, Families, Journey, Fast and Slow
Age range: 2-6
Themes: Seasons, Turtles, Families, Journey, Fast and Slow
Age range: 2-6
January 13, 2021
Super cute. Who doesn't love the idea of turtles walking to find a snowy hill to go sledding on! The text is repetitive and this would be a great lap-read. Even though the text stays the same, the pictures change, allowing for some good conversation to happen. But it just lacks a certain pizzazz for me.
October 13, 2020
Adorable illustrations, changing seasons, short text for storytime. It's hilarious when you realize it takes the turtle family a whole year to travel to the top of the hill just so they can sled back down to their cave!
June 28, 2021
Richie’s Picks: TURTLE WALK by Matt Phelan, HarperCollins/Greenwillow, October 2020, 32p., ISBN: 978-0-06-293413-0
“A loggerhead sea turtle tracked by satellite ended up in the Northern African country of Tunisia following a nearly-300 day journey across the Mediterranean starting in Turkey, over 3,000 kilometers (1,864 miles) away, Turkish scientists found.”
-- Hurriyet Daily News (6/13/21)
“Your friend is heavy
But he was ready
And never stopped for a while
While you were sleeping
He kept on keeping
The final line in his mind”
-- John Lodge, “The Tortoise and the Hare” (1970)
TURTLE WALK features a family foursome of turtles who keep that final line in their minds.
“Turtle walk. Nice and slow.
Here we go.
Are we there yet?
No.”
This simple rhyme repeats as endearing watercolor and pencil illustrations depict the turtles steadily lumbering through the seasons: Spring flowers and showers, robins and bunnies. Sunflowers, praying mantises, kids swinging and blowing bubbles. Lightning bugs. Trees changing colors, apple picking, squirrels gathering acorns, and jack-o-lanterns.
Finally, the turtles come face-to-face with the snow.
This time, the question, “Are we there yet?” is met with a resounding “YES,” as the turtles momentarily survey the glittering landscape before tucking in their legs and employing their shells as toboggans. The stoicism of the journey is replaced by wide eyes and grins as they jet down the slopes.
Cowabunga! (As a previous generation of turtle aficionados would exclaim.)
The journey concludes as the quartet locate a cave in which to curl up for a nice, long rest.
The threes- and fours- will get a kick out of the story, and will subsequently pore over the details of the seasonal illustrations when provided a post-storytime opportunity,
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
https://twitter.com/richiespicks
[email protected]
“A loggerhead sea turtle tracked by satellite ended up in the Northern African country of Tunisia following a nearly-300 day journey across the Mediterranean starting in Turkey, over 3,000 kilometers (1,864 miles) away, Turkish scientists found.”
-- Hurriyet Daily News (6/13/21)
“Your friend is heavy
But he was ready
And never stopped for a while
While you were sleeping
He kept on keeping
The final line in his mind”
-- John Lodge, “The Tortoise and the Hare” (1970)
TURTLE WALK features a family foursome of turtles who keep that final line in their minds.
“Turtle walk. Nice and slow.
Here we go.
Are we there yet?
No.”
This simple rhyme repeats as endearing watercolor and pencil illustrations depict the turtles steadily lumbering through the seasons: Spring flowers and showers, robins and bunnies. Sunflowers, praying mantises, kids swinging and blowing bubbles. Lightning bugs. Trees changing colors, apple picking, squirrels gathering acorns, and jack-o-lanterns.
Finally, the turtles come face-to-face with the snow.
This time, the question, “Are we there yet?” is met with a resounding “YES,” as the turtles momentarily survey the glittering landscape before tucking in their legs and employing their shells as toboggans. The stoicism of the journey is replaced by wide eyes and grins as they jet down the slopes.
Cowabunga! (As a previous generation of turtle aficionados would exclaim.)
The journey concludes as the quartet locate a cave in which to curl up for a nice, long rest.
The threes- and fours- will get a kick out of the story, and will subsequently pore over the details of the seasonal illustrations when provided a post-storytime opportunity,
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
https://twitter.com/richiespicks
[email protected]
October 11, 2021
In this super cute picture book, a group of four turtles are taking a loooong journey. As they patiently travel, we witness the changing of the seasons through the Spring, Summer, Fall, and the Winter. The text is repetitive… until it isn’t. “Turtle Walk. Nice and Slow. Here we go. Are we there yet? No.” Be looking for a funny little twist near the end that will have youngsters chuckling. This one would be especially fun to read on a snow day! ❄️ Watercolor and pencils were used to prepare the full-color art in this book.
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
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November 18, 2020This is such a cutie pie turtle book! With the repeating, rhythmic, rhyming words "Turtle walk. Nice and slow. Here we go. Are we there yet? No." the patient turtle family sets off for a loooong walk that takes them through all the seasons until they finally have the chance to be FAST, pulling inside of their shells and zipping down a snow-covered hill. Love it.
October 22, 2020
Simple, repetitive text follows a turtle family’s journey through the season. The end switches up the repeated phrases and gets a little silly (I’m pretty sure turtles don’t sled lol) but still super cute. Nice watercolor illustrations although I wished some of images were larger.
May 27, 2021
Lovely illustrations. This is a book to be read slowly and with discussion. What are the turtles doing? What do they see? Where do you think they are going? How do you think they feel? Do you like to walk slowly? When do you have to be patient or not give up?
February 10, 2021
A nice little repeating rhyme.
March 25, 2021
Cute story about a group of turtles who go on a little hike, very slowly. Their final destination will surprise you. Pretty illustrations. Highly recommended for Grades K-1.
May 25, 2021
This book is so stinkin' adorable! The kids and I were oohing and aahing over every cute turtle illustration.
March 9, 2021
A turtle family sets out on a long slow walk, leaving their spot by the pond behind. They start off in the spring through fields of flowers, bouncing rabbits, and robins. They cross a river and curl up together on a rainy night. They continue on under bright yellow flowers, seeing insects, bubbles, and fireflies. They keep walking into autumn with its changing leaves, apples, and chipmunks gathering acorns. They pass jack-o-lanterns and fall asleep together in the falling leaves. Next comes winter with the world turned white with snow. They finally reach their destination after a long climb. And now it’s not time to go slow anymore!
Told in simple language, this book is a gentle and slow look at the changing seasons. With a refrain of “Are we there yet?” the answer seems it will never be yes. Throughout the book there is a joy in the present moment, a pleasure in the journey itself and the changing seasons around the turtle family. The final pages have a burst of speedy joy in them, and then a return back to their burrow for the winter, once again piled together asleep.
The art is simple as well, the turtles moving through their environment, crossing rivers and streams, watching the wildlife around them, and marveling at special moments in each season. Done in watercolor, the bright green turtles are always the focus of the images as the seasonal colors swirl around them.
A joyous yet quiet look at seasons that would make a great board book too. Appropriate for ages 2-4.
Told in simple language, this book is a gentle and slow look at the changing seasons. With a refrain of “Are we there yet?” the answer seems it will never be yes. Throughout the book there is a joy in the present moment, a pleasure in the journey itself and the changing seasons around the turtle family. The final pages have a burst of speedy joy in them, and then a return back to their burrow for the winter, once again piled together asleep.
The art is simple as well, the turtles moving through their environment, crossing rivers and streams, watching the wildlife around them, and marveling at special moments in each season. Done in watercolor, the bright green turtles are always the focus of the images as the seasonal colors swirl around them.
A joyous yet quiet look at seasons that would make a great board book too. Appropriate for ages 2-4.
November 18, 2020
Turtle Walk chronicles a turtle family's trip from their cave, across the park, up a hill, and home again -- over the course of a year. It's their trip home that provides the purpose for the journey: sledding down the hill in the snow to their doorstep. This is a cute, repetitive story reinforcing the concept of having to wait for fun times. The text and watercolor art are simple and soothing. Most everything about the book can be used as a teachable moment: about waiting, the seasons, or turtles. And I would love this book if that were 100% the case. However, turtles would burrow long before the snows came and they wouldn't be out sledding in the snow. I would be able to overlook this inconsistency if the turtles were more like cartoon characters and if I expected a fictional story. Therefore, only 3 stars from me.
February 1, 2023
Possibly the most joyful book I've read all year. This is my pick for Caldecott Medal this year, for sure. The illustrations have Phelan's signature sketchy style, which works perfectly for the sparse but persistent story of turtles slooowly making their way to a snowy hillside so they can slide down. Highly recommended.
Note: This is even better if you make the kids march in place until the turtles get to the sled hill. They also need to repeat the refrain with you and answer "no" until they arrive. Once the story gets to the hill, everyone needs to run in place.
Note: This is even better if you make the kids march in place until the turtles get to the sled hill. They also need to repeat the refrain with you and answer "no" until they arrive. Once the story gets to the hill, everyone needs to run in place.
December 21, 2020
So charming and cute! A turtle family goes on a long journey through the seasons. The text is sparse and repeats short sentences, so it would be easy for kids to repeat the phrase with you. I love the sledding at the end. This almost borders on a wordless picture book since most of the storytelling is in the illustrations--some of the pictures are small so I don't know how this would do in a group setting, but definitely great for one-on-one reads. Short, sweet, and delightful.
July 7, 2021
I loved this so much I read it at my Zoom storytime this week. It's ideal for that, because it only has a few lines of text, easy to read on camera. The text repeats, so this is a good choice for kids who like to read along, but the pictures provide a great deal to talk about as the turtle family walks through the seasons, till finally reaching a paradise for winter sledding. Delightful.
February 2, 2021
We know how slow turtles walk. This book traverses through the seasons....leaves and flowers and pumpkins....until we arrive at a snow with a hill. The end brought a smile to my face.
Nothing super spectacular but it was sort of fun.
Nothing super spectacular but it was sort of fun.
October 15, 2020
3.5 stars --Oh, my goodness---how cute is this? Adorable illustrations.
January 9, 2021
The progression and flow of text and illustrations is perfect, the characters are spunky and the progression of the sessions is fun.
August 28, 2022
“Turtle walk, nice and slow, here we go. Are we there yet? No.”
We love this Book so much we made it into a song… We sing it in the car, at the park, and at the zoo. I’m sure that as my child grows we will also make it into a game of catch.
This book features four turtles that are on an adventure. The catch? Because they’re so slow it takes them ages to reach their destination. You get to experience the seasons with these turtles: the snow melting and flowers blooming in spring, children playing with bubbles and playground equipment in summer, the leaves changing and pumpkin patches of autumn, and the thick blanket of winter snow.
My daughter is 18 months old, and is in love with this book. I am sure that she will like it up until she’s four years old or more.
The actual book is relatively durable. We borrowed it from the library, And there’s absolutely no sign of wear. We ended up ordering our own copy because she loved it so much… Can’t wait for it to come in. :)
We love this Book so much we made it into a song… We sing it in the car, at the park, and at the zoo. I’m sure that as my child grows we will also make it into a game of catch.
This book features four turtles that are on an adventure. The catch? Because they’re so slow it takes them ages to reach their destination. You get to experience the seasons with these turtles: the snow melting and flowers blooming in spring, children playing with bubbles and playground equipment in summer, the leaves changing and pumpkin patches of autumn, and the thick blanket of winter snow.
My daughter is 18 months old, and is in love with this book. I am sure that she will like it up until she’s four years old or more.
The actual book is relatively durable. We borrowed it from the library, And there’s absolutely no sign of wear. We ended up ordering our own copy because she loved it so much… Can’t wait for it to come in. :)
October 21, 2020
They walk among us, sometimes seen, and other times unseen. Purpose is in every step they take. A future destination guides their direction. Perhaps they follow a well-worn path or a completely new route. For some it takes only a day to reach their intended place and for others it is considerably longer.
One creature known for its unhurried and steady pace is a turtle. Turtle Walk (Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, October 6, 2020) written by Matt Phelan is a family's exceptional trek through what is expected toward something extraordinary. This journey will be long remembered by readers for its priceless and precious delight.
My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...
One creature known for its unhurried and steady pace is a turtle. Turtle Walk (Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, October 6, 2020) written by Matt Phelan is a family's exceptional trek through what is expected toward something extraordinary. This journey will be long remembered by readers for its priceless and precious delight.
My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...
March 7, 2022
The eye-catching cover invites young readers to join the turtle family as they walk, “nice and slow” through the seasons with youngsters always asking, “Are we there yet?”, ending in winter with a FAST slide down a snow-covered hill, ending back at their own cave.
Repetition and rhyming sentences lend to listeners predicting the next word. Watercolor artwork are simple but encourage the eye to linger.
Could be used to show the cycle of the four seasons and invite readers outdoors to explore and compare nature in all seasons. Great for one-on-one or group sharing.
Repetition and rhyming sentences lend to listeners predicting the next word. Watercolor artwork are simple but encourage the eye to linger.
Could be used to show the cycle of the four seasons and invite readers outdoors to explore and compare nature in all seasons. Great for one-on-one or group sharing.
November 10, 2020
Great googly moogly! I totally missed the whole walking through the four seasons on my first read through. It's a good thing that I read the book again and paid better attention to the gentle watercolor illustrations. That is one LONG walk. My favorite things here were the repetition and the turtles sliding. I would like to think that somewhere, some place snowy, there are turtles totally doing this.
April 17, 2021
A turtle family is out for a walk, nice and slow. Every once in a while the littles ask if they're there yet. When the answer is no, not yet, the family stops for a rest. This walk lasts through all of the seasons until they arrive at their destination in winter. All of a sudden the turtles tuck their legs under them and go sledding, fast!, down the hill.
Children will giggle when the see the end. Recommended for storytime.
Children will giggle when the see the end. Recommended for storytime.
September 24, 2021
One spring morning a family of turtles set out for a "nice and slow" walk. With the repetitive refrain "Are we there yet?", the journey lasts through summer, fall, and winter and ends with a delightful surprise - for the reader. Careful readers will notice the story actually begins before the title page and will delight in the details of the walk. A wonderful book to use in units about the seasons.
January 6, 2022
I really enjoyed the repetition in this book and thought it would be a fun read aloud to younger children. The illustrations take you through the four seasons and it's a nice way to talk about the different elements of each one. It made me question at the end if you would actually see a turtle in the snow? Do they hibernate? I'll have to conduct some research on turtles and find out....Apparently, thanks to Google, it is called "brumation". =)
October 19, 2020
Possible contender for the Mock Caldecott Awards in January. Cute picture book with lovely watercolor illustrations. Great book for bedtime with young ones since it's repetitious and they'll be able to "read" along quickly. A family of turtles go off on a long, slow walk but end up somewhere you wouldn't expect!!
November 5, 2020
Everyone knows that turtles move slowly. But this takes it to the extreme.
Adults reading this to youngsters will get the humor intended.
Illustrations show this excursion as a circular book moving from spring through winter which adds a bigger punch to the humor.
Repeating lines:
"Turtle walk. Nice and slow. Here we go."
and "Are we there yet?"
Adults reading this to youngsters will get the humor intended.
Illustrations show this excursion as a circular book moving from spring through winter which adds a bigger punch to the humor.
Repeating lines:
"Turtle walk. Nice and slow. Here we go."
and "Are we there yet?"
November 21, 2020
Join the turtle family as they go for a walk in this adorable and delightful picture book that takes readers along on their journey during spring, summer, fall, and winter. The rhyming words, repeating phrases and detailed eye-catching illustrations make it a wonderful read aloud and instant classic that families will enjoy.
Reviewer #15
Reviewer #15
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November 22, 2020Turtle walk! Nice and slow. Here we go. Are we there yet? No.
This repetitive story is delightful. Adorable turtles make their plodding walk, exploring the wonders of the world--from fireflies to fallen apples--slowly making their way through the seasons to the cave where they will nap for the winter. A fun storytime read.
This repetitive story is delightful. Adorable turtles make their plodding walk, exploring the wonders of the world--from fireflies to fallen apples--slowly making their way through the seasons to the cave where they will nap for the winter. A fun storytime read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews