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Limu: The Blue Turtle
Limu was different than all the other Hawaiian sea turtles - he was blue! But while other turtles made fun of him, Limu still had fun growing up in the sea, bodysurfing the big waves, laughing with seals and making friends big and small.
Follow Limu's adventures, as he discovers that no matter what he looks like on the outside, others like him because of the good turtle he is on the inside.
Follow Limu's adventures, as he discovers that no matter what he looks like on the outside, others like him because of the good turtle he is on the inside.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 1999
4 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 13, 2020
This is a very cute story to teach kids about outer beauty versus inner beauty. Limu was always teased and laughed at growing up because he was blue while all the other turtles were green. Although he didn't have any friends, this did not stop him from having fun while surfing the waves and chasing fish into the coral. One day, Limu saw a little 'opihi named Nani crying because she missed her sister who lived far away. Limu offered to take Nani to see her sister since he could swim fast. On their way, they met Jonah the whale and Limu helped take a piece of wood out of his flipper. When they finally arrived at Nani's sister's home, Limu saw all the colorful fish and coral on the reef and learned the true meaning of friendship. Through his friendship with Nani and Jonah, Limu learned that it does not matter about what you look like on the outside, it only matters about the goodness of your heart and who you are on the inside. The illustrations in this book are extremely colorful and vibrant, drawing in the reader's attention. With the integration of a few Hawaiian words, this would be a good book to teach young children some Hawaiian. While some find the message of the book cliche, I really enjoyed reading this book as a child and even liked reading it as an adult as well.
August 23, 2011
See more of my reviews at Bettering Me Up.
The moral of the story is one that parents teach their kids: beauty is on the inside. Yadda yadda yadda.
What I disliked about the book was the clear lack of editing. Three sentences in a row end with the word "water." Within a span of four pages, Limu has "never seen so many different types of seaweed before."
My son loves this book, so we read it over and over and over, and I cringe every time I get to these two sections.
The moral of the story is one that parents teach their kids: beauty is on the inside. Yadda yadda yadda.
What I disliked about the book was the clear lack of editing. Three sentences in a row end with the word "water." Within a span of four pages, Limu has "never seen so many different types of seaweed before."
My son loves this book, so we read it over and over and over, and I cringe every time I get to these two sections.
October 30, 2019
This book follows a turtle, Limu, who was born blue, unlike the other turtles. He always got picked on by the others due to his difference in color but he still has the best time he can. In the end, others began loving Limu because they got to know him rather than basing their opinions on the color of his shell. I am completely a sucker for any book that looks at discrimination whether it be about race, sex/gender, etc. I loved how this story told the basic message of accepting one another but in the Hawaiian style. This book becomes more relatable to those of that culture but also those who are not. The books illustrations are colorful and bring the reader in. I think my favorite piece of this book were the illustrations. Like on page 7, the entire page turns dark to match the turtles mood from being picked on for being blue. The emotions shown on the little 'opihi too were so precious. I thought the illustrations just added so much to the story and kept me wanting to read it. I think this would be a great book to read to reassure students that it is okay to be different. I would want to make sure they realize that they can be different in all sorts of ways, not just in color.
August 28, 2017
This book is one I remember fondly from childhood. The book is bright and colorful, and the story itself is good.
Limu is just like every other baby sea turtle, except he is blue. The other green turtles make fun of him. One day, he comes across an 'opihi named Nani, who was separated from her sister. He agrees to take her home, and on their way, they come across a whale named Jonah. He has wood stuck in his flipper! Limu helps him out, and in return, Jonah saves him from some sharks. When Nani is reunited with her sister, Limu decides to stay with them, his new friends!
Limu is just like every other baby sea turtle, except he is blue. The other green turtles make fun of him. One day, he comes across an 'opihi named Nani, who was separated from her sister. He agrees to take her home, and on their way, they come across a whale named Jonah. He has wood stuck in his flipper! Limu helps him out, and in return, Jonah saves him from some sharks. When Nani is reunited with her sister, Limu decides to stay with them, his new friends!
August 14, 2018
Colorful illustrations and a simple story that seems to distill multiple tropes of children's entertainment. This one will amuse the tiniest tots, but for older kids and adults who may be reading it aloud, the book's preciousness and generic messaging may be more of an eye-roller.
December 25, 2021
Super great book
October 6, 2025
Fun Hawaiian-based adventure with beautiful full-page illustrations, a nice story, moral lessons to be learned, and memorable characters.
August 12, 2020
This book delighted me because of the story being told and how good the illustrations are. The illustration and visual elements of the book were amazing and really helped catch my attention while reading. I’ve read this book before as a kid but never focused on the visuals so I wanted to re-read it and focus both on the story and visuals and how they both came together to create an awesome picture book for kids. One of my favorite illustrations in the book was towards the ending of the story/book because the illustration had many colors that just came together and blended so well.
February 19, 2017
My daughter brought this back to me from a trip to Hawaii. I love the sweet story and the bright and bold illustrations!
January 19, 2018
Review: Limu The Blue Turtle
What comes to your mind when you hear about a blue turtle? Well in a fantasy story; Limu The Blue Turtle by Kimo Armitage is about a blue turtle that had a hard life in the sea because he was different, but then one finally accepted who Limu was. This has influenced me because some people have a hard time fitting in and I onced struggled fitting in too just like Limu. I loved this book so much and the book got me more and more interested in turtles.
I loved this book because it gave you some information about turtles. For example, “every year, thousands of baby turtles climb out of their sandy nests and make their way to the ocean.” (pg2) This book also teaches that people should not judge their looks. The book can also teach you about friendship and how people and or turtles can be different. I always loved to read this book when I was younger and it always made me happy seeing turtles.
This book has always influenced me since I was a kid. In the book it shows how turtles can be different from other turtles. I moved schools since 6th grade and I was afraid that I would get bullied because I looked different. But then I realized everyone is different in their own way. The book also explains how turtles can be all spread out in the sea. But I want to know more about turtles, know more about their lives, where they live, and what do they eat? There is so many things i know about turtles but there is more i want to know.
I would definitely recommend this book to kids. It is a great kids book that everyone will love. It teaches so much about differences and friendship. It has influenced me and other people. Although it could be a longer book it still has some great qualities to this book. But this book has got me really interested in turtles in a great way.
What comes to your mind when you hear about a blue turtle? Well in a fantasy story; Limu The Blue Turtle by Kimo Armitage is about a blue turtle that had a hard life in the sea because he was different, but then one finally accepted who Limu was. This has influenced me because some people have a hard time fitting in and I onced struggled fitting in too just like Limu. I loved this book so much and the book got me more and more interested in turtles.
I loved this book because it gave you some information about turtles. For example, “every year, thousands of baby turtles climb out of their sandy nests and make their way to the ocean.” (pg2) This book also teaches that people should not judge their looks. The book can also teach you about friendship and how people and or turtles can be different. I always loved to read this book when I was younger and it always made me happy seeing turtles.
This book has always influenced me since I was a kid. In the book it shows how turtles can be different from other turtles. I moved schools since 6th grade and I was afraid that I would get bullied because I looked different. But then I realized everyone is different in their own way. The book also explains how turtles can be all spread out in the sea. But I want to know more about turtles, know more about their lives, where they live, and what do they eat? There is so many things i know about turtles but there is more i want to know.
I would definitely recommend this book to kids. It is a great kids book that everyone will love. It teaches so much about differences and friendship. It has influenced me and other people. Although it could be a longer book it still has some great qualities to this book. But this book has got me really interested in turtles in a great way.
May 17, 2016
if i could give 0 stars, i would! any book for children that uses the ford "fishes" should be disgusted with itself. also, the supporting character, opihi (sp?) was never defined....i had to google what it was at the end. i guess this author just assumes only hawaiian speakers will be buying his (or her) books....wow, way to limit your audience.
other than that glaring red flag of teaching our kids horrendous grammar at such a young age, the overall story, was pretty good....like 3 or 4 stars there, but i just can't...."fishes"...i can't!!!
other than that glaring red flag of teaching our kids horrendous grammar at such a young age, the overall story, was pretty good....like 3 or 4 stars there, but i just can't...."fishes"...i can't!!!
March 23, 2011
Limu is a unique sea turtle in that he was born blue. All the green sea turtles make him feel out of place and Limu spends time alone chasing colorful fish and playing. Although he feels left out and this makes Limu sad, he still treats everyone he encounters in a way that shows how kind he is on the inside. The books illustartiions are wonderful and bright! This is a great story to share to celebrate individuality and boost self-esteem. Limu is a beautiful story that is timeless!
November 6, 2009
This is a nice tale about a sea turtle (honu in Hawaiian) who was born blue. He gets picked on because of his different color, but soon discovers that others love him and protect him based on the goodness in his heart, not the color of his shell. It's a good moral tale that has a lot of the charm of typical Hawaiian reef tales and picture books. Our girls really enjoyed this story.
February 25, 2010
Limu the turtle is very different from the other turtles. Eventually he finds friends that like him for who he is inside. He even befriends a whale when he pulls a splinter out of its fin (very similar to the Lion and the Mouse fable).
April 19, 2015
This book teachers students a few lessons while using animals of the sea. The first is about treating others how you want to be treated. Also, looking on the inside of people not judging them by the outside. One final aspect is by paying it forward.
December 2, 2015
I love the message in this book. It teaches children to treat people how you want to be treated. It also shows several sea animals while demonstrating being rude to someone and being nice and helpful to someone.
December 8, 2014
super favorite!
January 20, 2016
One of my family's most treasured books!
March 31, 2017
I don’t normally write reviews for picture books, but I bought this one years ago, on my trip to Hawaii and have used it for several story times over the years. I love the message in this book! Limu is a blue turtle and all the green turtles make fun of him which causes him to leave. Later he makes friends with other creatures of the sea and is simply nice to them and in return they are kind to him. He learns it does not matter what you look it, it is what is inside that counts. Great lesson in this book!
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March 10, 2019the best book ever!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews