The Smallest Turtle

by Lynley Dodd

The tale of a baby turtle and his journey down the beach to the sea.

Lynley Dodd has produced a number of picture books, including Wake Up Bear and Hairy Maclary.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Nature

29 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Dame Lynley Dodd is an internationally celebrated writer for children whose titles are highly regarded and much loved by her readers in New Zealand and around the world. Her stories are known for their lively sound qualities, curious animal characters, and the memorable illustrations that accompany the text. Lynley has received numerous awards, both for her writing and illustration, and in 2002 she was made a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to children’s literature.

Lynley was a founding member of Bookrapt in 1983.

Reviews

[crίѕтίŋα•●Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ●• · Rating 4 out of 5]

🐢
So on and on went the smallest turtle
until at last he stopped to rest.
He was getting very tired.
Suddenly he heard something.
It was the sound of waves
crashing ad hissing on the sand.
The words in his head became stronger than
“To the SEA - to the SEA.”
🐢

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic read that still slaps in 2024. Will the smallest turtle make it? I feel all the tension every time.

[Imogen Macalister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping and enticing perspective of small turtle making its way from nest to the beach. Dramatic highs and lows, pretty pictures, perfect 20 second read.

[Nicola · Rating 2 out of 5]

Normally I love Lynley Dodd but this one didn't work for me. It doesn't have the standard kind of rhyme or narrative feel of her other books and is far more non-fiction in feel. This would be fine if it had come with a foreword (or afterword) that included some short additional text and a few photos. As it was, I'm familiar with what was being described but Miss 3 just found it to be rather a boring picture book.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite children's books. This tiny little turtle works so hard to make it to the sea.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit torn about this one. I wanted to like it because it’s an accurate depiction of the turtle-hatching-and-sand-run process, plus the illustrations are lovely - but it’s just not on the same level of rhyming fun and silliness that the Hairy MacLary series achieves. My 2yo hasn’t been interested in reading it even though she’s generally a big fan of all things animals, so it will be seeing an early return to the library from us.

[Claire Moldrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book teaches children the sweet reward of perseverance, in spite of multiple challenges along the way. It shows that its smart to stop and take a rest in the shade when the heat bears down on you, rather than just pressing on when your brain and body aren't working well. Most of all it shows that you don't need to be the strongest or biggest to complete your own journey your own way.

[The Book Squirrel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almost nonfiction.
Follows a clutch of new-born turtles on their journey from hatching to the sea, a desperate and dangerous journey.
Gorgeous illustrations, and a wonderful, empathetic introduction to nature for young children.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe a four for me, but my first grader was enchanted and says definitely five stars. We are becoming big fans of Lynley Dodd’s style.

[Stef Rozitis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most children seem to really relate to turtles. Here is how they have responded to this game in my experience- roleplaying it (and all the dangers) all over the place, making the characters (especially the hundreds of eggs then hundreds of baby turtles with playdough. Drawing turtles. This books seems to work very well as a springboard to creative expression. The children also seem to become curious and ask questions about real turtles.

[Rachel (Sfogs) · Rating 3 out of 5]

So cute