Space Tortoise

by Ross Montgomery

Once, in an old rusty bin in an old rusty playground in an old empty park, there lived a little tortoise.But Tortoise is lonely. He's never seen any other tortoises, and wonders where they could all be hiding.Then, one day, he looks up at the night sky, and sees a million blinking lights winking at him."That must be where the other tortoises are - at the top of the sky! I wish I could join them."But how can a little tortoise get to the top of the sky? And so begins a magical journey...

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Fiction

Hardcover

First published May 1, 2018

About the author

Ross Montgomery has worked as a pig farmer, a postman and a primary school teacher, so writing books was the next logical step. He spent his childhood reading everything he could get his hands on, from Jacqueline Wilson to Beano annuals, and it taught him pretty much everything that's worth knowing. If you looked through his pockets you'd find empty crisp packets, lists of things to do, and a bottle of that stuff you put on your nails to stop you biting them. He lives in London with his girlfriend, a cat called Fun Bobby, and a cactus on every available surface.

Reviews

[Maja · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a little lonely tortoise looking for friends 😭😭

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most beautiful book. Tortoise is a lovely character and he just wants some friends. I cried.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

My new hero!
I want a Space Tortoise action figure. 🐢

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the story and tone and it’s definitely a Lichfield, however Noah doesn’t seem to be able to relate to the tortoise.

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the children asked to be read Space Tortoise I was intrigued as to what the book would be about as, aside from the obvious, the cover doesn't give much away and for a picture book it looked very dark. This book really surprised me though and it turned out to be a beautiful book and the topic was not at all what I was expecting.

The story follows a tortoise who lives in a bin in a park. One day he decides he needs friends as he's feeling lonely and he thinks the stars must all be creatures holding torches like he does so he heads towards them but ends up finding mouse who helps him understand what the stars are and where to find a friend.

This story I saw written in such a lovely way that really makes you feel for the tortoise and want him to find a friend. It is not as space like as the cover suggests but more of a tortoise who thinks he's going to space but soon learns he's not seeing rockets and stars but something else.

The pictures in this book are beautiful but they are very dark for a picture book. I think this adds to the story though as it gives the book a feeling of sadness like tortoise before the colours change nearer the end to a more happier few pages that also reflect tortoises feelings. The children loved the ending to the book but they also liked seeing tortoise exploring and particularly when he met mouse after discovering the rocket that wasn't really a rocket.

We really enjoyed this story and the children wanted it read again when we'd finished. This is a heartwarming story of friendship that I'm so glad we got the chance to read as it wouldn't have been a book I'd have picked up if the child hadn't asked for it to be read.

[Dimity Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Tortoise lives a solitary life among the apple cores in a cosy rusty bin in a forlorn playground. He wonders where all the other animals are and sets out to find them. He thinks a spaceship would be the most suitable mode of transport to take him to the 'top of the sky' where he notes the candles of animals (aka stars) shine most brightly. He is crestfallen to learn this is not the case at all but along the way discovers the friends he yearns for.

A sweet tale with an alluring character in a half shell ably illustrated by Litchfield, whose illustrations sparkle with warmth and detail.

[Maggie Hesseling · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an adorable picture flap!

It's all about a little tortoise who has big dreams to reach the stars to see the other animals that are out there.

Montgomery's adorable story mixed with the fantastic illustration of Lichfield makes for a beautiful, funny and inspiring read. How Tortoise made a friend and accidently discovered 'stars' aplenty will have you pouring over each page admiring every detail. Both of the story and the illustrations that enhance it.

[Garance J. Bonadonna (The Nerdy Artivist) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 STARS

What a wonderful little story.
A little tortoise lives in a quiet comfy home but she feels lonely. And when she looks up at the stars she feels like she might have friends there. So she sets up for her adventure.

It's poetic and magical and the illustrations are so sweet. I really had a good time reading it. Got all the vibes of innocent childhood.
This one is a heart warmer, go for it.

[Con Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dis SO mooi!

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet - good illustrations

[Laura Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A resilient little tortoise, who comes to see the world for what it truly is in his journey to find other animal friends outside of the park he calls his home

[Paul Graham Terpstra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book, such a fantastic idea and story.
Really nice illustrations.

[Yorky Caz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely story and I was cheering for the tortoise all along. Really like the illustrator

[Amy]

Read for work

[Dimitrios Mistriotis]

Book is set in a post-nuclar war world as we can see from the debris in the environment as well as from the complete absence of humans. Animals brains have mutated evolving them into being capable of using candles. One of them is a little tortoise, the main character of the book. Our little friend lives a lonely life in an empty playing ground longing to meet and be friends with other animals until one day he discovers the personal journal of Elon Musk...

Read the book for the rest.