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Mossy
Who will help Mossy return home to Lilypad Pond?
Mossy, an amazing turtle with a gorgeous garden growing on her shell, loses her freedom when Dr. Carolina, a biologist, takes her to live in her Edwardian museum. Visitors flock to see Mossy, but it is Dr. Carolina's niece, Tory, who notices how sad Mossy is living in a viewing pavilion. She misses the outdoors and her friend, Scoot.
Dr. Carolina finds a way to keep the spirit of Mossy alive at the museum.... Then she and Tory take Mossy home, where Scoot is waiting for her.
Jan Brett fans will pore over the colorful paintings of Lilypad Pond and lush borders displaying wildflowers, ferns, butterflies and birds in contrast to elegant spreads of the museum filled with visitors in stylish Edwardian dress and exquisite borders of shells, rocks, crystals and birds' eggs.
MOSSY gives readers a fascinating look at nature in the wild and on display in a natural history museum.
Mossy, an amazing turtle with a gorgeous garden growing on her shell, loses her freedom when Dr. Carolina, a biologist, takes her to live in her Edwardian museum. Visitors flock to see Mossy, but it is Dr. Carolina's niece, Tory, who notices how sad Mossy is living in a viewing pavilion. She misses the outdoors and her friend, Scoot.
Dr. Carolina finds a way to keep the spirit of Mossy alive at the museum.... Then she and Tory take Mossy home, where Scoot is waiting for her.
Jan Brett fans will pore over the colorful paintings of Lilypad Pond and lush borders displaying wildflowers, ferns, butterflies and birds in contrast to elegant spreads of the museum filled with visitors in stylish Edwardian dress and exquisite borders of shells, rocks, crystals and birds' eggs.
MOSSY gives readers a fascinating look at nature in the wild and on display in a natural history museum.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 18, 2012
About the author
Jan Brett
136 books1,060 followersWith over thirty three million books in print, Jan Brett is one of the nation's foremost author illustrators of children's books. Jan lives in a seacoast town in Massachusetts, close to where she grew up. During the summer her family moves to a home in the Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts.
As a child, Jan Brett decided to be an illustrator and spent many hours reading and drawing. She says, "I remember the special quiet of rainy days when I felt that I could enter the pages of my beautiful picture books. Now I try to recreate that feeling of believing that the imaginary place I'm drawing really exists. The detail in my work helps to convince me, and I hope others as well, that such places might be real."
As a student at the Boston Museum School, she spent hours in the Museum of Fine Arts. "It was overwhelming to see the room-size landscapes and towering stone sculptures, and then moments later to refocus on delicately embroidered kimonos and ancient porcelain," she says. "I'm delighted and surprised when fragments of these beautiful images come back to me in my painting."
Travel is also a constant inspiration. Together with her husband, Joe Hearne, who is a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Jan visits many different countries where she researches the architecture and costumes that appear in her work. "From cave paintings to Norwegian sleighs, to Japanese gardens, I study the traditions of the many countries I visit and use them as a starting point for my children's books."
--from www.janbrett.com
As a child, Jan Brett decided to be an illustrator and spent many hours reading and drawing. She says, "I remember the special quiet of rainy days when I felt that I could enter the pages of my beautiful picture books. Now I try to recreate that feeling of believing that the imaginary place I'm drawing really exists. The detail in my work helps to convince me, and I hope others as well, that such places might be real."
As a student at the Boston Museum School, she spent hours in the Museum of Fine Arts. "It was overwhelming to see the room-size landscapes and towering stone sculptures, and then moments later to refocus on delicately embroidered kimonos and ancient porcelain," she says. "I'm delighted and surprised when fragments of these beautiful images come back to me in my painting."
Travel is also a constant inspiration. Together with her husband, Joe Hearne, who is a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Jan visits many different countries where she researches the architecture and costumes that appear in her work. "From cave paintings to Norwegian sleighs, to Japanese gardens, I study the traditions of the many countries I visit and use them as a starting point for my children's books."
--from www.janbrett.com
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 318 reviews
February 26, 2018
Love this book. This book has me missing my own garden from years ago. Jan paints great details of all things from a garden as borders. It is stunning. I love the butterflies, insects and flowers. This is a real work of art. I'm convinced reading a Jan Brett book to start your day will help improve your mood for the day.
The story was a little easy to predict and that's ok. Mossy had quite the journey. I love seeing the garden grow on the turtle. It was amazing.
The kids really enjoyed this one. They now want a turtle so they can grow a garden on it's back. We will not be doing that. They kept asking if that was real. I have never seen it, but I suppose it could happen, maybe not to that degree. Who knows. I left that window of imagination open for them. This book is a wonder.
The story was a little easy to predict and that's ok. Mossy had quite the journey. I love seeing the garden grow on the turtle. It was amazing.
The kids really enjoyed this one. They now want a turtle so they can grow a garden on it's back. We will not be doing that. They kept asking if that was real. I have never seen it, but I suppose it could happen, maybe not to that degree. Who knows. I left that window of imagination open for them. This book is a wonder.
October 3, 2012
I always enjoy Jan Brett's illustrations, but often her stories are a bit lackluster for me. Not so with "Mossy", which I found both visually stunning and emotionally engaging. It is the story of a turtle named Mossy who spends so much time by the mossy pond that moss begins to grow on her shell and soon she has a miniature garden blooming there. Just when she meets a new boy turtle and is eager to be his friend, the curator from the local natural history museum and her niece find Mossy and think she will make an amazing display! They set up a beautiful glass home for Mossy and think she has everything she needs, and people love coming to see her. But the niece wonders, Is Mossy lonely? Does she want a friend? There is a happy resolution and a gentle message about animals and captivity that I really appreciated. The illustrations are gorgeous-gorgeous-gorgeous! So lush and beautiful. This would make an especially good spring-time read.
Thanks to my local librarian, I found out that Jan Brett is actually coming to our area on a "Mossy" tour so I plan to go see that in a few weeks. I'm very excited! All you Jan Brett fans out there might want to check to see if she is coming to your area, too.
Thanks to my local librarian, I found out that Jan Brett is actually coming to our area on a "Mossy" tour so I plan to go see that in a few weeks. I'm very excited! All you Jan Brett fans out there might want to check to see if she is coming to your area, too.
October 3, 2012
illustrations = 5 stars + story = 3 ½ stars so the total = 4 or 4 ½ stars but + ½ to 1 star for the message of leaving wildlife in the wild and for showing a child able to empathize with a turtle’s feelings, so a full 5 stars
I loved Mossy the turtle with the garden growing on her back. I enjoyed every bit of every gorgeous, lush illustration; they’re splendid. I didn’t need the (verging on) anthropomorphism in order to be emotionally engaged with Mossy; it wasn’t necessary, I don’t think. Most of how Mossy was described and depicted was wonderful though.
I so wish every nature & science & natural history museum would come to the creative solution arrived at in this story! It’s wonderful! (And the artists’ names are a hoot.) I love the message of how wild animals belong in the wild.
I appreciated how in the author-illustrator bio section in the back, she describes how she came up with this story and pictures.
I loved Mossy the turtle with the garden growing on her back. I enjoyed every bit of every gorgeous, lush illustration; they’re splendid. I didn’t need the (verging on) anthropomorphism in order to be emotionally engaged with Mossy; it wasn’t necessary, I don’t think. Most of how Mossy was described and depicted was wonderful though.
I so wish every nature & science & natural history museum would come to the creative solution arrived at in this story! It’s wonderful! (And the artists’ names are a hoot.) I love the message of how wild animals belong in the wild.
I appreciated how in the author-illustrator bio section in the back, she describes how she came up with this story and pictures.
July 19, 2019
Mossy is the story of an Eastern box turtle with a garden growing on its carapace. The garden starts as moss and grows to include various plants and flowers. One day, Mossy is discovered by Dr. Caroline, the curator for the Natural History Museum. Dr. Caroline and her niece, Tory, set up a viewing pavilion for visitors to come see Mossy. Though it seems as though Mossy has all a turtle could want, Tory feels Mossy is sad. Could Mossy miss her friends and home?
This vivid and vibrant picture book introduces readers to wildlife, natural environment, preservation and conservation. The illustrations are lush and breathtaking. The borders around the pictures are collections found in a Natural History Museum. The text flows smoothly and effortlessly, and compliments the illustrations. On the back dust jacket flap, Jan Brett relates to the reader where her inspiration for the story of Mossy came from. I liked how the story showed that wildlife belonged in their natural environment. I feel this book would appeal to kindergarten and up.
This vivid and vibrant picture book introduces readers to wildlife, natural environment, preservation and conservation. The illustrations are lush and breathtaking. The borders around the pictures are collections found in a Natural History Museum. The text flows smoothly and effortlessly, and compliments the illustrations. On the back dust jacket flap, Jan Brett relates to the reader where her inspiration for the story of Mossy came from. I liked how the story showed that wildlife belonged in their natural environment. I feel this book would appeal to kindergarten and up.
November 17, 2016
All Jan Brett books are treasures to be savored and shared. "Mossy," published in 2012, captivates readers with Ms. Brett's famously-beautiful talent for detailed illustration. Beyond delighting our eyes, this deceptively simple story will hook readers, and allow parents or teachers to open children's hearts and minds to nature.
This is a picture book for all ages; Mossy herself is an Eastern Box Turtle. However, she is unusual and fanciful because moss - and then small plants - begin to grow upon her carapace. I loved that the story is set in the American East Coast woodlands: as a Maryland resident myself, the stream, waterfall, mossy banks, flora, and resident fauna, could all be views of my favorite local wilderness. The art that captures them in this book is both gentle and beautiful.
Fans of Ms. Brett will also enjoy her trademark detailed art framing each page: distinct smaller pictures that tell (without words) parts of the story not included in the text; and 'garlands' on page edges, of representative plants, animals, minerals, and artifacts. These include gorgeously-colored feathers, moths, fungi, wildflowers, rocks and geodes, shells, butterflies, insects, fossils, seeds and seedpods, orchids, and yes, mosses (of course!). Many of these "garland" drawings don't tell the main story, but neither are they are incidental. They give any reader an up-close look at the fascinating variety of nature, and they give adults the opportunity to introduce younger children to new interests in nature.
Without spoiling the story, I'll say that there are many subtle elements at work in the story: habitat; collecting; environmentalism; a lesson about conservation; nature museums; and life, attitudes, houses, and clothing in earlier periods (approx 1890-1920, based on clothing). There is a gentle love story as well, and components of loneliness and being reunited. A combination of fiction and non-fiction elements is used. Again, this is a book to savor.
When I taught at the elementary level, I often used Jan Brett books in lessons, and students were always amazed to learn that she travels the world, closely observing the environments that she illustrates. In her books that depict different cultures, she learns a great deal in order to show them correctly and respectfully. There are videos on her website of some of her travels. She also provides many free, downloadable and printable resources, such as masks, puppets of her characters, items for Readers' Theatre, greeting cards, and stationery. (Underpaid teachers and creative parents are grateful for Ms. Brett's generosity!) www.janbrett.com
I would use books like "Mossy" to create lessons that connect language arts, science, and art. A guided reading lesson could take many forms; a vocabulary activity could be on turtle words (carapace: not shell/; reptile; turtle vs tortoise, etc); a writing assignment to create an alternate ending for the story, perhaps; a nature walk through the school neighborhood; an art activity to decorate drawings of Maryland Terrapin turtle carapaces with flowers we observed in the area (introducing our own, similar, state animal to my students); a science exploration table with local artifacts: feathers, rocks, geodes, fossils, plants, shells, etc. There are so many ways to use Jan Brett books to link subject area lessons and inspire students! She is also my favorite author as a subject for second grade "author study" projects.
I hope many parents, grandparents, caregivers, and teachers will share "Mossy" with the children in their lives, and also take a peek at her many other wonderful books. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and give it the highest recommendation.
-----------------------------------------------------
Addendum:
I'm retired and hadn't visited www.janbrett.com in a bit, so I thought I'd have a look. I was interested to find a section called "Piggybacks for Teachers: Projects for Teachers and Librarians to share with their classes." I should not have left librarians out of my review, above! Elementary School Librarians invariably do a fabulous job teaching actual lessons to students from grades K through 5 or 6.
Bravo/Brava for all librarians!
The "Piggybacks" contain teacher-created Web Projects, Reading Comprehension Activities, and other extension activities. I didn't read each one, so I can't comment on their usefulness individually, but they appear to be worth checking out. There are descriptions, and links to the new resources. "Mossy" didn't seem to have any links yet (I suppose as a newer book), but many other well-loved titles had teaching resources.
*** edited on 2-26-18 to correct slight typos
This is a picture book for all ages; Mossy herself is an Eastern Box Turtle. However, she is unusual and fanciful because moss - and then small plants - begin to grow upon her carapace. I loved that the story is set in the American East Coast woodlands: as a Maryland resident myself, the stream, waterfall, mossy banks, flora, and resident fauna, could all be views of my favorite local wilderness. The art that captures them in this book is both gentle and beautiful.
Fans of Ms. Brett will also enjoy her trademark detailed art framing each page: distinct smaller pictures that tell (without words) parts of the story not included in the text; and 'garlands' on page edges, of representative plants, animals, minerals, and artifacts. These include gorgeously-colored feathers, moths, fungi, wildflowers, rocks and geodes, shells, butterflies, insects, fossils, seeds and seedpods, orchids, and yes, mosses (of course!). Many of these "garland" drawings don't tell the main story, but neither are they are incidental. They give any reader an up-close look at the fascinating variety of nature, and they give adults the opportunity to introduce younger children to new interests in nature.
Without spoiling the story, I'll say that there are many subtle elements at work in the story: habitat; collecting; environmentalism; a lesson about conservation; nature museums; and life, attitudes, houses, and clothing in earlier periods (approx 1890-1920, based on clothing). There is a gentle love story as well, and components of loneliness and being reunited. A combination of fiction and non-fiction elements is used. Again, this is a book to savor.
When I taught at the elementary level, I often used Jan Brett books in lessons, and students were always amazed to learn that she travels the world, closely observing the environments that she illustrates. In her books that depict different cultures, she learns a great deal in order to show them correctly and respectfully. There are videos on her website of some of her travels. She also provides many free, downloadable and printable resources, such as masks, puppets of her characters, items for Readers' Theatre, greeting cards, and stationery. (Underpaid teachers and creative parents are grateful for Ms. Brett's generosity!) www.janbrett.com
I would use books like "Mossy" to create lessons that connect language arts, science, and art. A guided reading lesson could take many forms; a vocabulary activity could be on turtle words (carapace: not shell/; reptile; turtle vs tortoise, etc); a writing assignment to create an alternate ending for the story, perhaps; a nature walk through the school neighborhood; an art activity to decorate drawings of Maryland Terrapin turtle carapaces with flowers we observed in the area (introducing our own, similar, state animal to my students); a science exploration table with local artifacts: feathers, rocks, geodes, fossils, plants, shells, etc. There are so many ways to use Jan Brett books to link subject area lessons and inspire students! She is also my favorite author as a subject for second grade "author study" projects.
I hope many parents, grandparents, caregivers, and teachers will share "Mossy" with the children in their lives, and also take a peek at her many other wonderful books. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and give it the highest recommendation.
-----------------------------------------------------
Addendum:
I'm retired and hadn't visited www.janbrett.com in a bit, so I thought I'd have a look. I was interested to find a section called "Piggybacks for Teachers: Projects for Teachers and Librarians to share with their classes." I should not have left librarians out of my review, above! Elementary School Librarians invariably do a fabulous job teaching actual lessons to students from grades K through 5 or 6.
Bravo/Brava for all librarians!
The "Piggybacks" contain teacher-created Web Projects, Reading Comprehension Activities, and other extension activities. I didn't read each one, so I can't comment on their usefulness individually, but they appear to be worth checking out. There are descriptions, and links to the new resources. "Mossy" didn't seem to have any links yet (I suppose as a newer book), but many other well-loved titles had teaching resources.
*** edited on 2-26-18 to correct slight typos
October 20, 2022
Mossy tells the tale of an eastern box turtle with a tiny ecosystem on her back. She is taken from her new friend Scoot to a terrarium, until she is rescued through some creativity and kindness. I loved the portrayal of an Edwardian-era museum and Dr. Carolina.
Mossy would be a great story for helping young readers learn about caring for their natural environment. I can imagine, for a child who wants to bring home a natural souvenir and can't, it would be especially soothing. For Charlotte Mason fans, this is a lovely tie-in for how nature studies can help us appreciate our surroundings through art without damage or destruction.
Mossy would be a great story for helping young readers learn about caring for their natural environment. I can imagine, for a child who wants to bring home a natural souvenir and can't, it would be especially soothing. For Charlotte Mason fans, this is a lovely tie-in for how nature studies can help us appreciate our surroundings through art without damage or destruction.
July 31, 2025
Probably my favorite Brett book so far. The illustrations are so gorgeous and luxurious, and sweet little Mossy is totally endearing. ❤️
October 16, 2012
We love turtles and love to find books about turtles, so we were very excited to read this story. And we were also excited to see that the book is written and illustrated by Jan Brett.
We have read many of her books and were thrilled to see a new one. It's a departure from her typical Scandinavian-themed stories and illustrations, and we loved it.
This is a lovely tale about an interesting turtle who ends up growing a garden on her back. A biologist brings her to a museum to live, but Mossy misses her home and her new friend.
The illustrations are the highlight of this story and our girls insisted on picking out their favorite creatures among all the border illustrations...for every page.
The story harkens back to an older time and gives a nostalgic feel to the book. The ending is very sweet and we really enjoyed reading this book together.
We have read many of her books and were thrilled to see a new one. It's a departure from her typical Scandinavian-themed stories and illustrations, and we loved it.
This is a lovely tale about an interesting turtle who ends up growing a garden on her back. A biologist brings her to a museum to live, but Mossy misses her home and her new friend.
The illustrations are the highlight of this story and our girls insisted on picking out their favorite creatures among all the border illustrations...for every page.
The story harkens back to an older time and gives a nostalgic feel to the book. The ending is very sweet and we really enjoyed reading this book together.
May 4, 2019
An eastern box turtle named Mossy, whose carapace has become the home of an extensive garden, finds her life disrupted when a passing naturalist carries her away from her cool home by the banks of Lilypad Pond, and installs her in a glass display case in a museum. Observing how unhappy Mossy seems during her months in captivity, the naturalist's niece prompts her to rethink her decision to keep the turtle imprisoned, leading to a creative solution that allows the museum to keep a display up, and Mossy to return to her own home, and her friend Scoot.
This delightful picture-book, with its charming tale of a turtle who just wants to be free to enjoy her own home, and its gorgeous artwork, so redolent of summer, was a pleasure to read this cold snowy morning! I love Jan Brett's depiction of animals, and Mossy and Scoot were particularly fine examples of her work. I appreciated the message here about respecting wildlife and leaving it alone, whenever possible, but I also just enjoyed the story, and found myself rooting for Mossy's release, and her reunion with Scoot. Recommended to all young animal lovers, as well as to those readers looking for children's stories that promote a humane way of interacting with wildlife.
This delightful picture-book, with its charming tale of a turtle who just wants to be free to enjoy her own home, and its gorgeous artwork, so redolent of summer, was a pleasure to read this cold snowy morning! I love Jan Brett's depiction of animals, and Mossy and Scoot were particularly fine examples of her work. I appreciated the message here about respecting wildlife and leaving it alone, whenever possible, but I also just enjoyed the story, and found myself rooting for Mossy's release, and her reunion with Scoot. Recommended to all young animal lovers, as well as to those readers looking for children's stories that promote a humane way of interacting with wildlife.
June 12, 2017
Can turtles really grow plants in such a lush quantity on their shells? Brett says on the dust jacket that she found a turtle with a garden on its shell in a lake. I would love to see a photo of that turtle. While a fanciful idea, I'm doubtful that strawberries will grow on a turtle's shell, as Brett depicts. I wonder if young readers will be mislead into thinking all eastern box turtles are like this. Knowing how turtles mate, I also think Scoot would have had a pretty hard time mounting Mossy with all that vegetation in the way. So... I found the story to be a bit far-fetched, though I did like the way it ended.
However, as always I loved Brett's illustrations, especially the various natural objects bordering each central illustration. It felt like you were looking at items in a natural history museum. Since it was set in an eastern museum, I recognized many of the flowers, bird feathers, fossils, nuts and seeds, butterflies, and moths. A visual feast.
Recommended with reservations.
However, as always I loved Brett's illustrations, especially the various natural objects bordering each central illustration. It felt like you were looking at items in a natural history museum. Since it was set in an eastern museum, I recognized many of the flowers, bird feathers, fossils, nuts and seeds, butterflies, and moths. A visual feast.
Recommended with reservations.
September 26, 2012
I didn't know where to look first? There was so much going on in each picture it was almost like a " where's Waldo " book. But wow! This is BEAUTIOUS! These illustrations are amazing!
Mossy is a turtle that has luscious greenery growing on her shell and because of this she is scooped up and taken away from her freedom outside to an inside terrarium where people can come an look at her every day and admire her.
But what about Mossy, how does she feels about all this " exposure" ?
She just met her knight in shining armor, a charming male turtle, and now that she is sequestered so far away, she may never see him again?
Only Tory a youngster realizes that Mossy needs to be free, so arrangements were made to have a portrait done of the mossy turtle, so she can be returned to the wild, to live her life as it should be. The portrait can remain for people to admire, and all is well with the world! ( hopefully!)
Mossy is a turtle that has luscious greenery growing on her shell and because of this she is scooped up and taken away from her freedom outside to an inside terrarium where people can come an look at her every day and admire her.
But what about Mossy, how does she feels about all this " exposure" ?
She just met her knight in shining armor, a charming male turtle, and now that she is sequestered so far away, she may never see him again?
Only Tory a youngster realizes that Mossy needs to be free, so arrangements were made to have a portrait done of the mossy turtle, so she can be returned to the wild, to live her life as it should be. The portrait can remain for people to admire, and all is well with the world! ( hopefully!)
August 26, 2016
Nice pictures; not crazy about the story.
March 16, 2017
Mossy is an Eastern box turtle who in this story lives by a pond. Mossy is taken to a museum to live, but must try to make it back home. A great little story.
April 12, 2024
The sweetest story and absolutely gorgeous illustrations.
March 14, 2025
Most beautiful illustrations I’ve seen in a children’s book, and a sweet story
Read
March 20, 2025Jan Brett's art has enchanted me since childhood, but this one is particularly charming; it's a beautiful homage to the natural world and natural history museums.
April 1, 2021
Cute story. Wonderful artistry!
December 22, 2013
The main message is that Mossy the turtle is happiest in her natural habitat. By way of the story we grow to understand that live animals do not belong in museums and like any living creature she is happiest having a mate/friend, a family, and her choice of home.
There is very little picture-book fiction, (that I know of) that talks about observing animals in their wild habitat vs. captivity. In YA there is The One and Only Ivan, the Magician's Elephant (chapter books), and a few more.
I could look at these illustrations for days! They are ornate, lush and colorful depictions of our natural world. Not only are the pictures telling the story scrumptious and well matched to the text - all the corners, borders, and frames show various collections: butterflies and moths, lichen and moss, fossils, and much more - you will find a treasure on each page.
A good book for a child's library. OK for shared reading as a means to open discussion. I boosted it to 5, not because the story was all that inspired, but the subject matter and the illustrations make it so versatile.
September 10, 2012
This Brett title for me was amazing, her illustrations in each of the borders, a stylistic element she is know for, are superior. The reason being if Brett is illustrating butterflies or moths, or shells the entire border is filled with that particular creature. Also she does not mix various species of butterflies and moths together as some illustrators do. On the jacket blurb it is stated that Brett and her husband have seen a snapping turtle with growth on its shell/carapace--a new term for me. Taking her real world observation, Brett created Mossy and frames her in beautiful bordered illustrations of detailed authentic species found in the natural world. These illustrations must take weeks to produce. I could pour over this one for hours.
September 17, 2012
Just a few tiny quibbles: one of the box turtles in the book is shown submerged in water and that's not really normal box turtle behavior: they are terrestrial tortoises, not aquatic turtles. And they don't really frolic with their hatchlings in family groups. But the book is a thing of beauty, and it was VERY kind of our children's librarian to let me sit down and read her copy before it was even processed, wrapped, and on the shelf. Brett's illustrations of the natural world in all its exquisite detail is improving with every new book. I especially enjoy the photo-realistic depiction of the flora and fauna of the Northeastern U.S. that has featured in both Mossy and The Easter Egg books.
September 28, 2012
Mossy loved to spend time next to Lilypad Pond. She spent so much time there that moss soon started to cover her shell. Then other plants started to grow as wellwild. Mossy was an amazing site to see. So beautiful that she is taken to live in a museum. Mossy did not like her new surroundings and miss Lilypad Pond and her friend that live there as well. This is a lovely story of Mossy and her return to her favorite place. This is yet another beautiful book written by Brett. The illustrations add such amazing detail to the storyline and can captivate the reader for hours. I love that she has left her wintery settings and moved to a more beautiful spring type setting. This is a must have in any collection.
August 6, 2013
As always, Brett has created gorgeous illustrations. This is the story of Mossy, a darling turtle that spends so much time in a pond that moss begins to grow on her carapace (shell...love that the book uses the more technical term as well as the more familiar term). Soon plants and flowers are sprouting from her shell. A museum curator finds Mossy and puts her in a museum display...but is that what is best for Mossy? And if not, what should they do? All the visitors are intrigued by Mossy...she's the highlight of the museum. My kids wanted to know if it is a true story (it's not...but Brett does explain her source of inspiration on the jacket flap). Just wonderful!
January 7, 2014
Creatively told, expertly illustrated, this is a story of Mossy the turtle. Living in a stream, mossy is quite content, finding love with another turtle who finds all the growth of moss and flowers on her shell, life is wonderful.
When Mossy is discovered by a young girl, life changes dramatically. Captured and placed in a museum, Mossy is well taken care of and exhibited for many to delight in.
Head down and sad, Mossy longs for her previous life. When she is returned to her natural settings, all is well to live a long and happy life.
A large painting dons the walls of the museum and Mossy is well remembered.
Highly recommended for the child in all of us!!!!
When Mossy is discovered by a young girl, life changes dramatically. Captured and placed in a museum, Mossy is well taken care of and exhibited for many to delight in.
Head down and sad, Mossy longs for her previous life. When she is returned to her natural settings, all is well to live a long and happy life.
A large painting dons the walls of the museum and Mossy is well remembered.
Highly recommended for the child in all of us!!!!
October 13, 2012
Beautiful artwork tells the story of a very unusual box turtle who has a garden of flowers growing on her shell. A museum collector finds her and builds the most spectacular terrarium to house her, but "Mossy" is miserable. The museum director decides to commission a painting of Mossy and set her free instead.
Humane themes: the proper place for wild animals, doing the right thing even when it's difficult, the wonder and beauty of nature, the uniqueness of all life forms.
Humane themes: the proper place for wild animals, doing the right thing even when it's difficult, the wonder and beauty of nature, the uniqueness of all life forms.
September 14, 2012
Mossy is an amazing book by Jan Brett. Mossy is an eastern box turtle that has a beautiful garden growing on her back. Dr. Carolina and her niece Tory move her to a museum so others can enjoy her beautiful masterpiece. But is Mossy really happy in the museum? Illustrated with stunning artwork the book is filled with masterpieces of the flora and fauna of nature.
August 30, 2012
Brett does it again with richly illustrated book that not only will your child love, you will too. The story is a love story, an environmental story, and a really good story at that. I read it twice just for me.
September 21, 2012
Remarkable illustrations but weak story.
August 2, 2016
Ellie read this to us..krb 8/1/16
July 13, 2017
I love everything Jan Brett writes and illustrates.
October 23, 2022
The best of Jan Brett; the most beautiful illustrations.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 318 reviews