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Turtle and Me

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A charming story about the adventures a little boy has with his cuddly toy turtle. Turtle gets covered in spaghetti, chewed by a puppy, and ripped in a tug of war, but despite all of this the little boy still loves him. But will this love last forever?

40 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2011

26 people want to read

About the author

Robie H. Harris

60 books90 followers
Robie H. Harris has written many award-winning books for children of all ages, including the definitive Family Library about sexuality: IT'S PERFECTLY NORMAL, IT'S SO AMAZING!, and IT'S NOT THE STORK! She lives in Massachusetts.

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5 stars
17 (13%)
4 stars
47 (38%)
3 stars
50 (40%)
2 stars
6 (4%)
1 star
2 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
Profile Image for Kate McGinty aka Caryn Caldwell.
434 reviews379 followers
August 11, 2015
Turtle has been Boy's stuffed animal since before Boy was even born. But after years of rips, stains, and general aging, a friend convince Boy that he's too old for his favorite stuffed animal. Poor Turtle!

This is a sweet, poignant tale of growing up but still holding on to the things that made childhood good. It would be especially helpful for children who are in that awkward stage where they want to be very big but are also afraid to let go of childhood. Grownups affected by the Toy Story movies may find themselves especially misty-eyed with this one.
Profile Image for Annie.
474 reviews53 followers
April 14, 2015
A little boy's most trusted companion is his stuffed turtle. This would be a cute read-aloud for a storytime following a stuffed animal sleepover.
62 reviews
June 2, 2017
This book is simple and follows a plot of a boy and his stuffed turtle friend. The author does not attempt to manipulate any emotions towards the characters even though the plot does tug at the heart strings towards the end. This book is a good showing of a friendship many children have with their toys.
The media use in this book is a combination of various colored pencils. The art has a soft feeling to it that complements well with the writing as it is a very easy book to read. This all creates a synergy in the book that is welcoming to the reader.
To me, this book is a good example of a story that can connect to anyone's childhood; this is also beneficial because this book is perfect for group reading in a kindergarten to 2nd grade classroom.
Profile Image for Owen.
40 reviews
August 8, 2021
Review from mom: I’ve been reading this book to Owen since he was a baby. Today was the first time he read it independently, and something really resonated with him. He told me after finishing that he felt really emotional because he also gets upset when bad things happen to his stuffed animals. We talked about the theme of unconditional love and sticking by each other through good times and bad. This is the first book Owen has read that has made him feel really strong emotion, and I loved seeing him process and learn from it!
Profile Image for Rose Rosetree.
Author 15 books462 followers
April 11, 2023
Breaking up is hard to do. Especially with a lovey like the sweet-and-raggedy turtle that the narrator has been carrying around with him since birth.

My favorite quote from this narrator:

"When I was still a little kid and had to take a nap...."

Goodreaders, I don't think I'll be spoiling a thing when I tell you this: By the end of this picture book, that narrator is still what most of us would call "a little kid."

Sure this book has some humor, but it's a very gentle-and-compassionate sort of humor. As for his parents in this story? They're nothing short of magnificent.
Profile Image for Kelly.
339 reviews6 followers
March 9, 2017
I confess I have my own turtle only it is a bear with no eyes or mouth. And, I'm much older than the kid in the story!

I picked it up because it is a story about a turtle (Did I mention the reptiles are coming? ) and because we enjoyed Tor Freeman's story The Toucan Brothers so much. Tor is the illustrator here.

It is a great story about growing up, but not so much. Wonderful illustrations.
6 reviews2 followers
July 16, 2017
Lovely story! It's okay to have a comfort toy/item, even when you have grown older! Yay!
Profile Image for Anthony.
7,133 reviews31 followers
August 18, 2025
A tale of life-long togetherness through thick and thin, heartache and happiness, growing up and growing old with someone who will always be there for you and you for them.
Profile Image for Amanda.
171 reviews
July 19, 2018
Just a boy and his lovie! Sweet to see him growing up with turtle
1,071 reviews11 followers
July 17, 2015
Disclosure: This was a Goodreads giveaway.

What a delightful story! Any parent (or a child) who remembers their child dragging around the favorite blanket, stuffed toy, etc. will relate to the little boy and his stuffed turtle.

The little boy describes all the terrible things that happen to Turtle and what bad shape Turtle is in, then he decides he's too big to need Turtle anymore. He re-thinks the whole matter, and decides he will keep Turtle around for a while longer.

Illustrated by Tor Freeman, great simple illustrations make it easy for children to relate to this book.
Profile Image for Pat.
165 reviews
July 24, 2015
I received this book in the evening. When I opened it, I felt the need to read it right away. I can relate to the story because I had and still have a stuffed puppy. He has traveled with me to Greece and his ears have been "recovered". The delightful illustrations are simple but colorful. The story starts before the boy is born and follows him throughout his childhood. Scuffs, tears and dirt feed the turtle. But one day, the boy "decides" he doesn't want turtle anymore -- but does he? Read it to find out.
Profile Image for Sandra.
877 reviews20 followers
April 7, 2015
A little boy talks about his stuffed pet turtle which he has grown up with and loved all his life. Though turtle is getting a little beat up hes still part of everyday fun until one day there's a big fight and the little boy is told that he's a baby because he still loves turtle. Will he have to give turtle up because he's big now or will he find room to keep loving his old friend. A good book for those kids that are not yet ready to let go.
Profile Image for Samantha.
4,985 reviews60 followers
April 9, 2015
The story of a little boy and his beloved stuffed turtle. Great realistic story, though the story felt as if it was building towards a goodbye, when in reality it ended on almost the exact same note as it started.

The kid emotions were spot on and well written. The artwork depicts Turtle as the cuddliest, most faithful friend and will surely cast a love spell over readers. PreK-2.
633 reviews
August 10, 2015
This is a very cute story to help a child understand growing up. Very nicely illustrated too. I won this book and love reading to little ones and having my grandkids read it. It's not hard for a child to understand, should he have a favorite stuffed animal?
Profile Image for Selena.
552 reviews6 followers
August 15, 2015
This book would be great for a stuffed animal story time. Or even couple it with a book like Owen for a security blanket/object kind of theme. Parents will like this and kids will too. It's OK to have a favorite toy that you're attached too.
Profile Image for Amanda.
3,883 reviews43 followers
April 13, 2015
Even big people need their special animals, no matter how big or little you may actually be. Glad this shared/showed that it's not a "baby" thing.
951 reviews11 followers
April 15, 2015
Does you child have a "security" item they just can't let go? This gentle book deals with such a situation.
1 review1 follower
June 9, 2015
Didn't like it at all. Too sad.
470 reviews3 followers
June 16, 2015
Anyone who has had a special stuffed animal/friend should read this one. Very cute, a bit sad, but overall nicely written and illustrated.
Profile Image for Harvey Singh.
13 reviews
February 11, 2016
This book made me sad, it reminded me of the times my favourite teddy was being torn like the turtle x
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews

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