Big Move to a Tiny House

Twig and Turtle #1

by Jennifer Richard Jacobson

Launch of a new chapter books series about sisters who move to a tiny house with their family to start a simpler new life.

8 and 6-year-old sisters named Twig and Turtle are excited and curious about their new small town in Colorado, and for their cool new tiny house. Their family is united in living more simply and not stressing out the earth's resources. And enjoying nature. But for Twig, that means leaving her BIG adopted Great Dane with her grandma. In the tiny house, there's barely enough room for a few books and games!

Friendly and outgoing Turtle rolls with the move, and new life. But Twig struggles without her beloved dog. At school, Twig has to write about an opinion. And that gets her mind cooking. Twig is going to use her writing project to get her big dog back!

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Childrens, Chapter Books, Middle Grade, Family, Contemporary, Animals

112 pages, Hardcover

First published October 6, 2020

About the author

Jennifer has spent three decades writing award-winning fiction and nonfiction for children. Amongst her titles are picture books: THIS IS MY ROOM (NO TIGERS ALLOWED) and OH, CHICKADEE!; chapter books: Andy Shane series and Twig and Turtle series; middle grade novels: SMALL AS AN ELEPHANT, PAPER THINGS, THE DOLLAR KIDS, CRASHING IN LOVE; and young adult novels: THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF WHY I HATE HER and STAINED. Her awards and honors include ALA Best Books For Young Adults, Publishers Weekly Best Books, NYPL Best Books for Teens, Parents Choice Gold Award, IRA Young Adult’s Choice, ILA Social Justice Award, NTCE Charlotte Huck Honorable Mention, Bank Street Best Books of the Year, and Junior Library Guild Selections as well as many state awards. She lives in mid-coast Maine with her husband.

Reviews

[Brooke - TheBrookeList · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twig and Turtle belong to a family choosing a more earth-friendly approach to life: a tiny house! They move to a progressive Colorado town, live in a tiny house, and make careful choices to make it all work while their parents pursue their artistic passions. Most children I know don't live in tiny houses, so this book feels a bit like a curious window to a fun concept. They worry about the usual kid fears of life at a new school, with some less-usual worries mixed in. They have small wardrobes and have to be confident and creative, they ask questions and make friends to help them overcome challenges. Add in a fun great dane, and it's an enjoyable early chapter book. Loved the relationship between the two sisters and their problem-solving kindness.

No explanation for the spunky names for these girls? I suppose it's just part of the "granola" lifestyle portrayed in the story and a window to the way many modern-minded families are choosing to live consciously.

Checked out at library and reviewed in consideration for Cybils Award Early Chapter Book shortlist for 2021.

[Afoma (Reading Middle Grade) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twig and Turtle: Big Move to a Tiny House is a delightful start to a compelling new chapter book series featuring two sisters whose lives are changed by a move to a tiny house. It’s perfect for kids navigating a move to another house, depicts a positive sister relationship, and shows kids how to handle bullying at school. Twig and Turtle are clever, determined, and empathetic girls to introduce your kids to, and I’m so excited to read more books in this wholesome series. I would highly recommend this chapter book (and the next in the series) to anyone looking for a new chapter book series for kids ages 6-9.

Read my review on my blog.

Many thanks to the publisher for an eARC of this book via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review!

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd-4th grade students are the likely target audience for this new series by author Jennifer Richard Jacobson. Twig and Turtle are 2nd and 4th grade sisters who have recently moved to a new town to live in a tiny house which allows their parents to focus on developing their new careers while also simplifying their lives and reducing their negative impact on the environment. But living in a tiny home is a big adjustment for the girls and they must come up with creative solutions to being limited to only 3 shirts + 3 pants and only being allowed to bring 5 toys with them. On top of all that, Happy Trails Elementary is their 3rd new school and it is only October. Readers will absolutely relate to Twig and Turtle as they try to fit in, make friends, and adapt to a completely new and unique home. If the font size and spacing of the ARC copy is the same in the final edition, younger readers will find the text easy to read and the vocabulary challenging enough to validate their emerging skills but not so difficult that it will intimidate or frustrate them. Librarians looking to increase choices in their easy chapter book collection will appreciate this new choice. However, if diversity in book characters is a "must have", Jacobson's book in this ARC format presents as entirely Caucasian with one girl in a wheelchair shown in the whole class illustration. Even Mr. Kim appears to have Caucasian facial features while his name might indicate otherwise.

Thanks for the print ARC, Amazon Vine!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

All my reviews can be found at: http://www.jessicasreadingroom.com
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This review will appear on my site on November 8, 2020.
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This is a short chapter book for kids from second to fourth grade. This book deals with several issues children may face: moving, bullying, and loss of pets (not due to death). Not only do Twig and Turtle have to move, their family moves into a ‘tiny house’ and they have to downsize!

Downsizing means having not much at all, which includes Twig losing ‘her’ dog Bo as he is a Great Dane and that type of dog would not fit in a tiny house.

Though the title is about moving into a tiny house, that is not the main focus of the story. The main focus is Twig trying to find a solution to keep Bo. Ultimately a solution is found and everyone is happy. Therefore, I feel the title should have been something else.

This is a story that shows that kids can set their mind to something and actually accomplish something.

There are illustrations in the book, but my arc copy states that the illustrations are not final, which is apparent between the cover of my copy and the finished book. Therefore, I cannot comment much on the illustrations except to say that based off of my copy that there may be diversity of ethnicity and disabilities shown.

I received a copy via Amazon Vine. This children’s book is recommended.

[MyCatJeoffry Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet chapter book about two sisters dealing with big changes when they move to a tiny house outside of Denver. Their parents wish to live a simpler life closer to nature that is more sustainable and less taxing on the earth's resources. Hence the tiny house. But it's so tiny it's a major adjustment for the girls - understandably. And the most upsetting part is that Twig must leave her adopted Great Dane with her grandma because he is just too big to fit. As a dog lover I really felt for Twig. But she cleverly devises a way to keep him in her life.

This series appeals to me since I've heard a lot about these tiny houses and have been curious about what it must be like to live in one. Wow. Major adjustment. I'm rooting for the girls!

I won an advance copy of the book at BookCon.

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is cute. I wanted to shake these kids' parents, though. I get their excitement about pursuing their passions and downsizing and all that. Great! But these kids gave up a whole lot for their parents' plans. The moving three times in a short period of time, not being able to keep a beloved pet, having three shirts and three bottoms each...

Sometimes kids have to sacrifice. There is not enough money or space or whatever. But let your kid finish out a school year in one place if you can. Let them have enough clothes for an entire school week. FIGURE OUT A WAY FOR THEM TO KEEP THEIR DOG.

I was obviously distracted by that. Twig and Turtle are adorable, and I like that the community comes together. I also really liked the representation of the Social Skills class, and the explanation of why what comes across to someone else may not always be the intent of the person portraying it.

[Hannah Galler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was pretty cute. I had a couple of questions, and really just couldn't get behind the whole each girl only having 3 shirts/3 bottoms thing (minimal living or no... that just seems cruel for grade school children because kids are so mean). Anyway.

The storyline was adorable and I just loved how the story was a GREAT example of creative/persuasive writing. The older girl (third grade) has to practice writing an opinion piece for class and it turns into a persuasive idea to bring a therapy dog to the school. The explanations and examples provided were perfect for teaching young readers! Its definitely an easier chapter book, but also something I would recommend to some of our patrons at the library!

[Burlington Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

It hasn't been an easy year for eight-year old Twig. She's moved twice -- most recently into a tiny house -- and had to leave behind her beloved Great Dane who is just too big for her new home. To top it all off, her younger sister Turtle seems to be having a much easier time adjusting to their new school than Twig is. When Twig's teacher sees she's having trouble, he suggests she join the Social Skills club, a move that makes all the difference. This early chapter book is the first in a series and features manageable text blocks broken up by appealing illustrations by Paula Franco. The characters are relatable and the ending (while perhaps not entirely realistic) is happy.

[Yz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omgosh my heart! It's so cute! So perfect! So amazing! I love it! Perfect for dog lovers. Earth lovers. Nervous people. Awkward people. This book was written for like 7 yr olds but like my heart just...I LOVE IT!!! Melted my heart in the best way. I remember being put in a club like that in elementary school and worrying about the same things as Twig, it just brings me so much comfort reading this book. I remember being so anxious when I realized I was wearing the same pants as I'd worn that same week. I just love Twig so much!

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

My eight-year-old daughter loves the characters, to the point where she’s begged me to pre-order the next several books in this series.

It could be because this is the first book in a series introducing rather new concepts to American culture (tiny house living and extreme minimalism); or possibly because I have a mentally ill family member who is OBSESSED with Marie Kondo... but this book lost two stars because I found it to be really didactic at times.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute little story about two sisters who are new to their school. Twig is sad that she had to leave her uncle's dog Bo at her grandmother's house and is having trouble making friends in her new school. This story helps kids who may have trouble adjusting to new schools or new friends.
Thanks to Pixel Ink and BookCon for the advanced copy of the book.

[Kimberly Sabatini · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful start to a brand new series. I have always been intrigued by Tiny House living and this was a unique twist on those shows that make everything look like perfection, while still showing all the wonderful things about less being more. Can't wait to read more about this sister duo, their family, friends, and a rather large and gentle dog.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have been on a tiny house kick lately, so when I saw this book at my local library, I had to read it. My big question is that tiny houses are great for adults, but is it really fair to the kids? What happens when Twig and Turtle are teenagers? 3 shirts 3 pants, really. But this was such a cute book.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Them only having three shirts gives me anxiety. Of course people at school are going to make fun of them for wearing the same stuff every week. And the parents don’t even have to play by the same rules because they have a whole studio to put their extra stuff in. Let’s not even talk about poor Bo.

[Phobean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story craft! Twig and her little sister Turtle are fully realized and genuine. This author is doing a lot with very few, well chosen words. I can’t remember the last time I picked up an early reader and wanted to read more of the series!

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Librariann · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet real-life story with the modern twist of tiny house living! Good for kids who are looking for simple early chapter friendship stories.

[Cathie (ClassyLibrarian) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of diverse illustrations, a problem arises but is solved.
Good pick for early readers.

[Stephani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute beginning chapter book with an easy to follow story. Good for dog lovers. Deals with moving, starting a new school and making friends.

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute early reader chapter book about moving, downsizing to a tiny house, letting go of people and things and problem solving. Also involves one very big dog, and friendships.

[Sandie Bushey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this with Emmitt (6yrs). We loved it.

[Cindi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Heather]

I won a free copy of Twig and Turtle 1: Big Move to a Tiny House during BookCon in exchange for an honest review. Special thanks to Holiday House for providing the ARC. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

This book is about Twig and Turtle, two young girls who move with their family into a tiny house. While Turtle doesn’t mind the move, Twig is sad to have to leave her Great Dane with her grandma. Not only that, but Twig is having problems fitting in at her new school. How can Twig get her dog to come live with them in their tiny house and make new friends?

I enjoyed this story. It followed the typical story arc, and it was a great early reader book. Of course, anything with a dog as one of the focal points of the story has my attention. I read this book to my son as I was reviewing it, and although he wasn’t too impressed (he’s 11 months so I’ll give him a pass 😄), I was curious to know what would happen next. I plan to read it again to him when he’s older; it’s a good story with important themes in it.

There were female main characters, determination, problem-solving, friendship building, the strength of love, and lessons all wrapped up in this book. Despite the short length of this book, there are many aspects of it that will appeal to young readers. After reading this book, I’m looking forward to reading more adventures with Twig and Turtle. I wonder what shenanigans they’ll get into next?!

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book with positive familial relationships! Twig and Turtle are Sister who have just moved to a new tiny home (their third move in just a few months) and Twig is having some difficulty adjusting. She misses the dog that she left at her grandma's house and things turn worse when her grandma says she can't keep the dog any more. With the help of her new friends, Twig has to figure out a way to make sure she can still get to see Bo. She decides to write a paper about all of the positi e things about Bo and hopes it will make a difference.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

“We don’t follow trends,” I say. “We set them.”

Sisters Twig and Turtle live in a tiny house, recycle & compost at school, and are loyal to each other and to their sweet dog, Bo. I loved book one & am especially excited to share it with our 2nd & 3rd grade readers!