Myrtle's Game

by Cynthia Reyes, Cynthia Reyes, Jo Robinson (Illustrations)

Myrtle the Purple Turtle returns with another great adventure! Myrtle and her friends are turned away when they try to join in a game with others. The friends walk away, feeling hurt, but that's just the start of the story. Find out how Myrtle, Gertie, Hurtle and Snapper solve the problem, in this second picture book about Myrtle the Purple Turtle. A perfect book for children ages 3 to 8 (and adults who like turtles), it follows Myrtle the Purple Turtle -- a bestseller, praised by thousands of children and adults, teachers and librarians around the world.

Reviews of Myrtle the Purple Turtle
"This book will be a joy to children who need to be told, again and again, that they are beautiful in the skin they're in, that the beauty of diversity is one which includes them." Andrea Torrey Balsara, author and illustrator.

"'Myrtle the Purple Turtle' is one of the most striking, original children's books released in recent years." - Annika, Goodreads

"This is a beautifully illustrated children's book, that gently encourages the young to accept that being different should be celebrated." - Sally, Goodreads

"My 3 little girls [ages] 8, 4 and 2, LOVE Myrtle and her adventures towards self-acceptance. The pictures are vibrant, the story is heart-warming and this has quickly become one of our most asked for books in the house. " - Nadine, Amazon Review

"Must read for all young children." - Sue, Amazon Review

"I loved reading this book to my young daughters. It emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance in a very relatable way to young kids and it gave me the opportunity to explain the issue of bullying, friendship and staying true to oneself." - Jasmine, Amazon Review

"A story to be read over and over again." - Allie, Amazon Review

"I loved this story, and even more so, my kids loved it. It has such a powerful and relatable moral. It gave me the opportunity speak to my children about acceptance, kindness, differences in the people we see all around us and to love and respect everyone for who they are, and not how they appear. And most importantly, to love yourself just the way you are." - Julia, Facebook Review

"For those of us who want to teach the children in our lives about acceptance and friendship comes this charming tale of a purple turtle longing to be green that's perfect to pop into your beach or overnight bag for bedtime reading to little ones. When Myrtle realizes that she's not the same colour as her playmates, she tries to reinvent herself as someone different. It takes a few humorous attempts to reinvent herself and some help from her friends before she realizes that she's wonderful just as she is. Inspired by the experience of one of her own daughters, Canadian writer Cynthia Reyes has penned a story with delightful characters and an ever-important message: every one of us is different, and we're all extraordinary." - Canadian Living Magazine

32 pages, Paperback

Published December 1, 2018

About the author

Cynthia Reyes, bestselling author of the "Myrtle the Purple Turtle" illustrated books for children, and "Twigs in My Hair", "An Honest House" and "A Good Home", has written non-fiction stories for anthologies, the Globe and Mail, Huffington Post, Toronto Star and Toronto Life. Cynthia is a former journalist, trainer and executive producer with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, More than a hundred episodes of her programs have appeared on network television.

She has won national and international awards and acclaim for her work as a television producer, journalism trainer and change leader. They include the Diamond Book Award for book of the year, the Children's Broadcast Institute Award for her children's TV programs, the CBC President's Award, the African-Canadian Achievement Award, the Trailblazer Award and the Crystal Award for Outstanding Achievement in Film and Television. She was inducted into Jamaica's Order of Distinction, Commander Level, for her work in improving the quality of journalism in Canada, South Africa and other countries.

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is exactly the type of message children need to be hearing today and what better way than to display it in a beautifully written story with beautiful artwork to go along with it!
In this book we follow Myrtle and her interaction with a new ‘scary’ student who moves to her town.
The message is exactly what I remind my son every morning on our way to daycare.
Such a lovely book and I look forward to many more Myrtle ‘tails’

[Andrea Stephenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you would like to introduce a child to concepts of difference, inclusion and friendship in a gentle and fun way, you need look no further than Myrtle the Purple Turtle. Myrtle’s first adventures taught her to be comfortable in her own shell and to live beyond the prejudices and limitations others’ think we have. Her latest delightful adventure introduces her to a new potential friend. But her new friend is a fox and everyone in the neighbourhood agrees that foxes are scary. Can Myrtle face her fears and make a new friend? This third book in the series is as beautifully written and illustrated as the others. It shows how easily myths and prejudices are developed when we have no direct experience of others and fear them to be fundamentally different to us. The book also illustrates in simple terms the fact that just because you belong to a certain group it doesn’t mean that all members of the group are the same – we are all individuals with our own differences. Myrtle is a great role model for children – not only does she learn her own lessons, but she is always the one who is welcoming to others. Myrtle is the friend every child should have and teaches children how to be a great friend to others.

[Dan Leca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great addition to the Myrtle the Purple Turtle series. This book continues Myrtle’s message of kindness, inclusion and being a good friend. Perfect for all kids (and adults, too).

[Wendy Macdonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautifully written and timely book for our polarized times. Although it was written for children, I found it inspiring for adults too. It made me smile, and it made me tear up a tad as I realized how important the message of kindness is for today.
I'm honored to have been sent this book as a gift by @CynthiaSReyes; however, I happen to be an avid fan of Cynthia's and she simple beat me to it. I would have ordered my own copy to read to my dear grandson.
I look forward to more stories about Myrtle.