Timothy Turtle

by Al Graham, Tony Palazzo (Illustrator)

Children's Book about Timothy Turtle of Took-A-Look Lake.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Poetry

30 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1946

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

Al Graham pounds out a rhythm with his prose here. I thought the art was fairly poor in this and not used to great effect. The story was interesting. A turtle wants fame and decides to climb a mountain or a hill. This is one I don't really see why it was chosen for Caldecott.

It is a little anticlimatic. This was not a favorite with my nephew. He gave it 2 stars.

[Lori · Rating 2 out of 5]

Containing very dated illustrations, this book features Timothy Turtle climbing a mountain, ending up on his back, but rocking himself to an upright position and climbing back down where he is greeted and celebrated for his heroic efforts by friends. The book is basically a long poem with lots of repetition, similar words, and word variants. The story does not hold up well for today's readers.

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I agree that the illustrations in this book are not spectacular, but I find this is one of the best Caldecott books to read to your children. I have read this story to both my kids over 100 times, and they both loved it. It is a wonderful story, and still makes me laugh every time I read it. Most importantly, the illustrations help the story, and they blend well together, which may be why I love this book so much, as do my children. It may not be easy to find a copy, since I believe it is out of print, but I would recommend finding one if you can.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had a impact on me as a very young child. It's one of the earliest I can remember. What I remember about it was the cooperation that Timothy's friends gave him. The sense that we are interdependent and supporting each other is what it's all about. Also, his persistence is my life's motto - Never give Up!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a very odd book but well-done. Let me explain. The story was done in rhyme with detailed pen drawings of the animals and splashes of blue and peach in the background. The language is a bit out-dated, but is fun to read. The book won a 1947 Caldecott Honor.

The story is about Timothy Turtle, who runs a ferry service with his friend Drake. Wanting to feel more adventurous and important, he decides to climb Took-A-Look hill, no small feat for a slow turtle. On the way up, a boulder comes crashing out of nowhere on him and he flips over. With much determination, he flips back over and decides to go home. He gets a hero’s welcome when he arrives there, as a bee has seen his somersault and told everyone about it. I loved the detailed map of Timothy’s adventure in the front of the book! Recommended for ages 4-7, 3 stars.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well-written rhyming picture book. It plays with repetition and rhythm to create a fun reading experience. Like The Treasure, this is a story about making a journey that changes how you view yourself and your home upon your return. Only when Timothy stops trying to become famous does he succeed; he gains his fame from the humbling experience of being tipped over onto his back and needing to save himself. Al Graham is no Dr. Seuss, but this book uses words not commonly used in picture books - agog, swimmingly, bemoan, , etc. - that make it a great tool for exposing kids to new vocabulary. The words themselves are probably more interesting than the story, but the language was enough to keep me interested.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Timothy Turtle wants an adventure and attempts to climb a him. However, what will he do when a boulder that turns him upside down?

This is one of the first older Caldecott Honor books I can see myself actually reading to a child and them enjoying it. The rhyming text reminded me of Dr. Suess and the story is reminiscent of The Little Engine That Could. I also like how the printed text mirrored the action in the story. I think kids will like this one.

[Laura5 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations were not necessarily my favorite, but it was certainly a fun story to read aloud with my 6 year old. The language was silly and rhyming - meant for a young audience to enjoy.
The Bud especially liked the map on the end papers of Timothy Turtle's adventure.

[Alexys · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really thought this book was fun to read and I could imagine reading it in my own classroom one day. I loved all the vocabulary words, they would really challenge some readers while still letting other readers enjoy the book.

[Maria Rowe · Rating 2 out of 5]

• 1947 Caldecott Honor Book •

There is a nice little rhythm to the words but I thought it was a little dull. The illustrations are decent, and I enjoyed the map at the beginning.

Materials used: unlisted
Typeface used: unlisted

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was a kid I loved this story so much I named my pet turtle -- what else? -- Timothy.

[Mandy J. Hoffman · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay, but just long and drawn out with not much of a line.

[Mckinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Totally can sympathize with this turtle after my mountain climbing adventures last summer.
Caldecott honor.

[Natalia Ortega-Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great cadence and rhythm. Definitely meant to be read aloud. One of my favorite Caldecott's from the 1040s.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the rhythm of the text and the illustrations that were scattered amongst the text at points.

[Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not a fan, but I might cycle back to this book to read it with children (based on the ratings of others). I found the text too long, the illustrations okay, and the story not that strong.

[Brindi Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

1947 Caldecott Honor

this was a fun story

[Tim Tuttle · Rating 5 out of 5]

SWIMMINGLY

[Jennica Lyons · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this picture book. I think the message of not giving up is one that is important to teach kids. I think that even though Timothy didn't get over the mountain, he got over a big struggle, the boulder, and was able to understand his limits. His friends loved and supported him despite whatever had happened to him. When he felt like he needed change, he did just that, which is a good life lesson.

In regards to Russel's article, I think this book fits the bill for good illustrations decently well. I do think that the drawings were very simple and generally only showed Timothy himself. However, the emotions that were conveyed on his face throughout helped the reader understand what he was feeling. I feel as though younger students would most enjoy this book because of the rhyming and repetition, but some of the vocabulary is relatively advanced. These illustrations would help students be able to use context clues to figure out what the words were saying.

The horizontal yet wavy line that represents the mountain helps the reader grasp that though the ground is solid, the treck is very treacherous. There is hardly any color used in the book except for when the background was colored differently. I didn't really understand the pattern of color itself and felt like either using lots of colors or no color would've suited the book better. The texture on the animals and the surrounding settings makes it all seem very realistic which helps readers relate to the story even though the characters are not human.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I "read" this by watching a YouTube video of it being read aloud.

I loved the text of this book. The rhythm of it was great and engaging. The artwork was unspectacular; I was more struck by the art made of the text in places. We enjoyed the idea of a turtle trying to climb a mountain, and the suspense of the predicament he found himself in.

[Dan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this book was okay. The book is about a turtle going on an adventure who then gets noticed for doing a somersault at the end after deciding he doesn't want to do any more adventures. He then becomes coincidentally famous and respected for that and Mayor. The pictures were pleasant.

[MaryAnne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book could be subtitled, There’s No Place Like Home. Timothy the Turtle seeks for adventure by climbing a hill only to be content to return home. Caldecott Honor Book

[Lorna · Rating 4 out of 5]

1947 Caldecott Honor

Favorite illustration: The "Welcome Home, Timothy" page at the end with all of the forest animals surrounding Timothy in the clearing.

Favorite line:
"'Don't be a dunderhead! echoed the hill,
'Dunderhead,
dunderhead,
dun . . .

Don't be a blunderhead! don't be a pill!
Venture! adventure! away with a will!
Think of the fame - and the wonderful thrill,
Wonderful,
wonderful
one!"


Kid-appeal today: I loved Timothy! It felt like a whimsical storybook with fun rhyme and creative text design like curving or angled words. It would today make a fun read aloud that kids would still enjoy. The text also has some great vocabulary that could be used for word/vocab study.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A turtle wants to be famous so he tries to climb a mountain. It's more interesting than it sounds! Written in catchy poetry with pleasant artwork for its time, this was cute.