Twig and Turtle 2: Toy Store Trouble

Twig and Turtle #2

by Jennifer Jacobson

The second book in a new chapter book series about sisters who move to a tiny house with their family to start a simpler new life.

Twig and Turtle are adjusting to their new lives in Happy Trails, Colorado. Twig's adopted Great Dane is a therapy dog at their school, and can visit the tiny house -- as long as Bo can stay small and quiet. And the whole family is getting to know their neighbors, and the local businesses.

One of the rules of the tiny house is that the girls can only have 5 toys (for space). Turtle really really wants a miniature truck, and parts with an old toy in order to get it. But when Turtle goes to the local independent toy store, she is distressed to find the store divided in half, pink toys on one side, and blue toys on the other. That is so wrong! Turtle is going to set that store right, even if it means taking sides in their small, tight-knit community.

Genres: Childrens

112 pages, Paperback

Published October 20, 2020

Reviews

[Janssen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute quick read-aloud.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars --I was intrigued by the premise of this junior novel, as I, like I suspect many kids, enjoyed a variety of toys growing up. I loved My Little Ponies and stuffed animals, and I also loved dinosaurs and toy cars. While the 1980s toy aisles weren’t quite as gender-segregated as they would eventually become with the hot-pink or dark-blue extending down onto the floors, I still felt a little weird, like I was stepping “out of my space” when I went to look at the dinosaurs. I’m glad things are finally changing. Dinosaurs, cars, ponies, whatever, are for every kid who enjoys them.

While this aspect of TOY STORE TROUBLE is being most heavily marketed around the book, the gendered toy aisle dilemma is actually only a small part of the story, and it is resolved fairly quickly without a lot of conflict. Rather, the main focus of the book is the contest to name the new toy shop opening in Turtle and Twig’s hometown, and Twig’s predicament over her parents’ 5-toys-per-kid rule.

TOY STORE TROUBLE is a well-written and enjoyable little book that gallops along at a nice pace. It models problem-solving and compromise in a variety of situations, and also self-control and kindness. I liked that it explored a variety of living situations that young people may or may not be familiar with, such as the main character’s family living in a tiny house. I also liked that the kids played imaginatively instead of relying on tech to entertain them.

[Ann-marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twig and Turtle enters a competition to name a toy store in their neighborhood.

Twig and Turtle meet Ms. Wallaby who uses their mom’s photography service and their father's comic artistry to create a sign for her new toy store. She let the girls know she will be having a contest to name her store. The girls tell their friends about the new store and their friends become eager to enter the toy store contest.


Twig’s friend Angela gives her a doll and Twig hides the new doll from her parents and sister due to the rule where she and her sister are only allowed five toys each because of the tiny house they live in.
While out with their parents at a vintage store Turtle noticed that Twig had something in her pocket and Twig quickly confessed with her about the new toy.
Twig eventually shares with her parents and both parents and daughter come up with a solution.

In this story the girls learn to communicate proudly and fearlessly defending their names to
Ms. Wallaby who somewhat made comments about their names and also objected to them gender neutralizing her toys and how even as children they were able to teach an adult to be thoughtful and see a different perspective.

Great for Public and School collection.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute, but I still feel very sorry for Twig and Turtle people not understanding there names ( may be a problem when they are older) and 5 toys really being singled out not having a specific toy giving them up before moving to the tiny house, grandma couldn't keep a few for her granddaughters it seems like the adults are selfish making the kids compromise and give up for the adults dreams.

[Alexis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Throughout the whole story Twig lies to her parents and when she finally tells them the truth she is not held accountable in any way for her choice to lie. I was so hopeful after the first book that this book would be good. Sad!

[Mara K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice and easy snacker book, and I like where the plot was going but I would have licked more into the girls side vs. boys side, side plot. I think that could have been better. But for what it is I would say fair book.

[Andréa]

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