Turtle Pond

by James Gladstone, Karen Reczuch (Illustrator)

What is it about turtles that fascinates us? Is it how they hide inside their patterned shells, their wizened faces, their slow determination?

In Turtle Pond, a child and his parents visit their local public garden throughout the year, observing the turtles as they play, dive, feed, bask, climb, hide and doze. James Gladstone’s lively prose poem reveals the pleasure and curiosity that come from spending time with the turtles. Karen Reczuch’s stunningly beautiful illustrations accurately portray these extraordinary creatures, both in and out of the water, surrounded by lush plants and the changing seasons beyond the greenhouse windows.

An author’s note provides more information about turtles, including the Red-eared Slider featured in the book.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Nature, Poetry, Summer, Nonfiction, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published May 1, 2018

About the author

James Gladstone is an editor and writer of school and trade books for children. When Planet Earth Was New is his first book with Owlkids. James lives in Toronto, Ontario.

Reviews

[Jeffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations by Karen Reczuch are absolutely magical!

[Catherine Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely informative book! I like that the beginning and end are the same. The writing is simple but the author has some lovely examples of word choice and figurative language.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poetic lines evoke the wonders of watching turtles as they behave differently across the four seasons. Based partly on the author's experiences in visiting a turtle pond in Toronto, the book prompts a need to know more about these turtles as well a sense of respect because the species has survived for so long. Created with graphite pencil and watercolors, the illustration depict the turtles as they move through the water, clamber onto rocks, soak up the sun, and gobble up a meal. Youngsters are sure to be amused by the fact that sometimes turtles like to climb up onto each other's backs for unknown reasons--maybe for a different perspective. Because the story is told from the perspective of a young boy whose family seems to visit the pond quite often, readers can tell that these turtles matter to him and that he sees them as individuals, some slower and shyer than others and some more adventurous. An Author's Note reminds readers that many turtle species are endangered, even if the ones depicted here are not. Let's hope some readers will be inspired to take action to save the ones who are threatened.

[J.L. Slipak · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is it about turtles that fascinates us? Is it how they hide inside their patterned shells, their wizened faces, their slow determination?

In Turtle Pond, a child and his parents visit their local public garden throughout the year, observing the turtles as they play, dive, feed, bask, climb, hide and doze. James Gladstone’s lively prose poem reveals the pleasure and curiosity that come from spending time with the turtles.

Karen Reczuch’s stunningly beautiful illustrations accurately portray these extraordinary creatures, both in and out of the water, surrounded by lush plants and the changing seasons beyond the greenhouse windows.

An author’s note provides more information about turtles, including the Red-eared Slider featured in the book.

Out May 2018

MY THOUGHTS:

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

I love picture books with beautiful jackets. Are there things about turtles that a child doesn’t know? Of course! This book is perfect for the turtle enthusiast and is accompanied with gorgeous, complimentary artwork that fit together like puzzle pieces.

James Gladstone’s lyrical poem is enhanced by Karen Reczuch’s talent and together you get this big, beautiful keepsake. James Gladstone is an editor and author of many books for children. He’s the one who wrote the highly acclaimed picture book, “When Planet Earth Was New.” That book was illustrated by Katherine Diemert and is absolutely wonderful!

Karen Reczuch has illustrated many award winning children’s books and her most recent, “West Coast Wild,” was written by Deborah Hodge. It won the Children’s Literature Roundtables of Canada Information Book Award. Other publications of Karen include: “Loon” by Susan Vande Griek, winner of the TD Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Non-fiction, the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Picture Book Award and many others.

I believe a successful picture is a success because of the partnership between good writing and illustrating.

“Turtle Pond” is fun, informative/educational and full of excellent illustrations. A true success!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

James Gladstone’s slow poetic prose and Karen Reczuch’s soft colourful imagery creates the perfect setting for Turtle Pond. Explore the world of turtles, observing them as they eat, sleep, and play. Watch them rest under the water and be fascinated by their ability to hold their breath. This book’s pace is as slow as the turtle, but it’s relaxing and comforting. It reminds us to take pause and just enjoy the rhythm of nature. After learning a few interesting facts about turtles, the end of the book provides resources for those who want to dive deep into their turtle knowledge.

[Cathryn Wellner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Red-eared sliders are regulars in our local waters, thanks to pet owners who grew tired of their shelled pets. So I was curious to see how James Gladstone would deal with these creatures, who are invaders through no fault of their own. His gentle, quiet poem is just right for introducing our grandchildren to the reality of the lives these tropical turtles lead in our cold, northern ponds. The writing is inviting for young book lovers, and Karen Reczuch's illustrations are exquisite.

[Brooklyn || The Wild Library · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read & evaluated this book for the Vancouver Children's Literature Roundtable (VCLR)'s 2019 Information Book Award.

I didn't get it. This didn't seem to meet my requirements of an information book. While it was unique a concept (i.e. why so many people are drawn towards turtles), there just wasn't much to learn. The point of the book was unclear; it seemed to tell a story about going to a turtle pond.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This look in the life of Red-eared Slider turtles and their habitat is a favourite of all the kids in my life who like science and animals. The illustrations are a wonder, made by Karen Reczuch in graphite pencil and watercolour. The watercolour makes it so easy to evoke motion and the water. Our favourite illustration is of the turtle swimming with gold koi under the water, just greens and oranges but beautifully done.

[Luciana · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice story about red eared turtles in a city pond. The text does a great job describing their actions, talks about what they do in different seasons and then, at the end, the author gives a bit of information on the red eared turtles.

I love turtles; this is why I read the book!

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars -- I wasn't a huge fan of the text but the illustrations are truly incredible. They capably capture the wonder and magic of a visit to the park and seeing these ancient, amazing reptiles up close.

[Cheriee Weichel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars Karen Reczuch's illustrations are drop dead gorgeous. I enjoyed the repetition in James Gladstone's poetry. Readers visit a pond across a year and discover interesting details about turtles. I appreciated the author's note in the back matter that provides additional information.

[Christine Turner]

A child and his parents visit their local public garden throughout the year, observing the turtles as they play, dive, feed, bask, climb, hide and doze. James Gladstone's lively prose poem reveals the pleasure and curiosity that come from spending time with the turtles.

[Aolund · Rating 2 out of 5]

A just so-so picture book about turtles and a family who goes to see them at the local conservatory. Lyrical verses accompany the pictures rather than a story/plot, making for a dreamy and meditative feel. The family visiting the turtles is white, and only white people are depicted in the book.

[Launna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought he asked a bunch of questions but never answered them. I don’t feel like o know any more about turtles than I did before. Even the authors note doesn’t offer anything except that red eared turtles are not on the brink of extinction even though many species are.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goes through the seasons featuring turtles.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A poetic text with lovely, evocative illustrations.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Turtles do captivate!

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a story about turtles. In a pond.

[zOdAê aKAê · Rating 4 out of 5]

beautiful pictures and truly questions children ask when they observe animals. how can we protect the turtles?

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
Year round, through the seasons, the narrator observes the turtles at Turtle Pond

[Jami · Rating 3 out of 5]

There wasn't much to it, but we had red-eared sliders turtles when we were kids, so reminded me of them :)

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a pond where turtles live year-round, where people can go see them, and where they are safe. The turtles shown in this book are not endangered, but many of the 320 species are at risk. Lovely illustrations for the story told in short verse that teaches the reader interesting turtle facts.

[V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why we chose this book:
I had seen this book as an upcoming release from Groundwood Books and was especially interested because T and I have recently been enjoying the turtles at the Ecotarium. When I requested a couple of different titles from Groundwood, they also included Turtle Pond, much to our pleasure.

Mom's Review (V)

This poem about turtles at a local public garden evokes the feelings one has when pausing to enjoy nature.

The book describes a visit to a turtle pond, perhaps from the perspective of a young boy, though the viewpoint is never made explicit. From searching for hidden turtles to wondering why they climb on one another to watching them swim with fish, the reader experiences the turtles' day. The book is simple and lovely; I particularly enjoyed the harmony between artwork and poetry. Below are some snippets of our conversations and pictures of our post-reading visit to the turtles at our local science museum, the Ecotarium.

Son's Review (T)
(age 3)
While reading:
Son: Why are they carrying the turtle gently back to the water?

Mom: Well, what do you think could happen if he stayed on the sidewalk?

Son: He could get squished.

Mom: So why do you think they are moving him?

Son: So he doesn't get squished.

After reading:
Son: Do you see the turtles [on the last page]?

Mom: I do. What are they doing?

Son: Coming out of their eggs!

Mom: I think that this really relates to us and somewhere we go...

Son: The Ecotarium!

Mom: Does this make you want to do anything?

Son: Go under turtle pond....snuggle the turtles. Mostly the baby turtles.

Mom: They are cute.

Son: That's why I want to snuggle them.

Mom: Did you learn anything about turtles?

Son: That there's turtle pond, that the turtles were hiding because it was cold and it was nighttime.

Mom: Do you like turtles?

Son: Oh, of course we do.

Mom: What do you like about turtles?

Son: That they're beautiful.