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Peter the Turtle Can't Poop

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On his adventure, Peter discovers treasures on the beach. Little does he know how harmful litter is to a turtle. Alone on his journey, he gets stuck on the shore and has tummy troubles. Who will come to his rescue?

Will he be able to poop?

While laughing, children will learn the importance of friendship, healthy eating, and putting litter in a bin.

28 pages, Paperback

Published February 2, 2022

12 people are currently reading
16 people want to read

About the author

Kim Wilch

6 books70 followers
Kim Wilch of One More Exclamation is an award-winning author, published in three anthologies, and an indie author of Peter the Turtle Can't Poop, WTF Duck - Why The Frown?, a companion journal, and Once Upon a Plate: culinary adventure through children's books.

She lives in Nebraska with her husband of thirty-nine years, two precious pooches, two litter box-trained bunnies who run the house, and a duck that quacks her up. Kim is a mom of two and grandma to four amazing grandchildren. Besides writing, she devotes time to volunteer work, camping, travel, and loves to get creative with arts, crafts, and photography.

Read with Enthusiasm - Write with Passion - Live with One More Exclamation

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
Profile Image for Ricardo Medina.
Author 16 books139 followers
December 16, 2023
This is a super adorable book that tells the story of Peter, the turtle who, due to all the rubbish he finds in the shores of the place where he lives, can't poop. The story has a lovely message for kids that we have to be careful with all the trash we generate and how it gets to the place where the animals live and eat. Kids will love the story and the beautiful illustrations that come on every page of the book.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book
143 reviews
February 2, 2022
Amazing story

What a great story surrounding the importance of environment, eating good, and bathroom issues.

Its important to teach children at a young age what can happen to our sea life creatures if u litter and how it gets in the water and hurts the animals.

Great job to this author for such a neat book. I loved the illustrations they were beautiful pictures.
Profile Image for Deborah Taylor-French.
Author 1 book103 followers
February 3, 2022
A Charmer of Picture Book

What a fun and humorous way to tell a story! This tale shows the dangers of leaving plastic trash on ocean beaches.

A not so funny truth that the tummies of turtles and other wildlife suffer when people leave food scraps for animals to eat.

I liked the starfish pal that shows Peter the Turtle what healthy food looks like. Plus, bathroom humor brings in even more laughter.

If you have a young child, under 8 years old, buy this children’s book.
Profile Image for Mimi Francis.
Author 22 books72 followers
February 2, 2022
Super cute book with a great message! I enjoyed reading this fun little book with the great lesson. I appreciated that it was fun and not preachy. It got its point across in a great way. Awesome read for any child.
Profile Image for Laura.
1,040 reviews88 followers
August 21, 2024
An adorable little book with a great message.

Peter the Turtle is bound to have little readers entertained from the very first page, and keep them hooked till the very end. Something not easily achieved in children literature.

Easy to read and remember rhymes, on the background of absolutely beautiful illustrations manage to convey important messages in a fun and simple manner that little minds can easily grasp.
Through the adventures of an inquisitive turtle, both the importance of eating healthy as well as that of putting litter in a bin are wonderfully explained, without coming off as preachy.

Cute, fun, adorable! That's Peter the Turtle Can't Poop. :)
Profile Image for ReensReads.
521 reviews7 followers
February 1, 2022
Funny and educational

Peter the Turtle is an endearing little guy readers will quickly fall in love with and empathise with. As he innocently wanders around the beach, he discovers treasures thinking they are new food, which messed up his diet. Then he encounters more troubles playing with other items he found on the beach and even gets stuck. Thankfully, a friendly starfish comes to the rescue and helps Peter break free. They soon become friends and learn to eat more healthy food so he could finally do his business. The next scene is absolutely hilarious, and I'm sure kids would laugh so hard reading this! The story ends with an important lesson though, that litter belongs in a bin. It reminds readers that we need to protect our sea animals and keep the beaches and oceans clean so this wouldn't happen to other poor sea animals again. Such a fun read but so educational at the same time.
Profile Image for Shana Dow.
Author 6 books46 followers
February 3, 2022
This delightful children’s book brings the subject of friendship and the importance of taking care of our environment together into a clever story. The language of the book is simple and easy to understand for any small child, but clever enough that parents and/or grandparents reading the book to their children will have fun doing so. The illustrations are top-notch and eye-catching. Overall, this would make a wonderful addition to your family’s library. It is a fun and humorous way to bring up the subject of environmental issues that will be sure to entertain a wide range of readers.
Profile Image for Elizabeth Jurado.
Author 4 books18 followers
February 15, 2022
This book is a wonderful way to teach young readers how litter can affect the wildlife. Adorable Peter the Turtle shows how trash can be seen as food resulting in a hurt tummy. Turtles should be eating lettuce and carrots not old stale pizza. The important lesson of all litter belongs in a bin is one that everyone should keep in mind. This is a fun read for everyone.
Profile Image for Thalia S. A..
Author 0 books3 followers
January 31, 2022
Peter the Turtle is a little turtle that discovers something new on the beach. However, he is unaware that rubbish is very harmful to a turtle. He gets a tummy ache and accidentally gets stuck. Who will help him, and will he be able to poop?

I was excited to read this book, because it sounded quite funny. And yes, I was right! First of all, I loved the storyline. It's simple but hilarious. It is cleverly written as well, with lots of rhymes to make it a good read aloud.

I also loved the pictures. They made me (and my brother) laugh out loud. They're interesting to look at as well.

As a bonus, it teaches children to love sea animals and the importance of keeping our oceans clean. It's very unfair that lots of rubbish gets dumped in the sea and washes up on shore, only to be found by animals like Peter. Peter the Turtle Can't Poop gives us a perfect example of this. It's hard to teach children about litter in an interesting way but I think Kim has smashed it.

To sum it up, Peter the Turtle Can't Poop is a great, funny book. Recommended to anyone who wants a laugh!
47 reviews7 followers
February 2, 2022
A fun way to teach young children about the importance of not scattering rubbish in the seas.

Peter the Turtle eats some rubbish and gets tummy ache; he then gets caught up in a discarded net.

The writing is humorous, and - luckily for Peter - a friendly starfish is around to help out so everything ends happily.

Good illustrations and simple rhymes combine to create a book that young children will enjoy.
Profile Image for Alexandra.
Author 13 books89 followers
February 2, 2022
A funny story written to delight children and teach them about protecting the environment at the same time. I read this book to my daughter and she instantly fall in love with Peter the Turtle, he is such an adorable character. I was glad to come across this story, as it gave me the opportunity to strike up a conversation on the things we can do to keep the oceans clean. Early education is key when it comes to such topics and I find that kids are quite receptive to the lessons delivered through stories.

Peter doesn’t know how harmful litter can be to a turtle, in fact he initially finds it amusing. As he gets stuck, he will begin to realize that things might not be as they seem. Unfortunately, the poor little guy will also suffer from tummy troubles, having quite the difficult moment. Will Peter the Turtle be able to poop? You will have to read the book to find out!

As I said, my daughter loved this book. She already knew that litter belongs in a bin, but the story allowed her to better understand why. At the same time, it was a poop book, which let’s face it, all kids adore. For me, as a parent, there were so many great lessons to derive from this story. After reading, we discussed about the effects of litter and pollution, and how we can better protect the environment. We also discussed about friendship and healthy eating, two of the topics I feel strongly about.

The book is cleverly written, with funny rhymes that keep young readers engaged. It is the kind of story that is funny and educational at the same time, and the perfect choice for kids who love turtles. The illustrations are bright and colorful, drawing you into the story. I think this book would be suitable for both home libraries and classrooms, allowing parents and teachers to have conversations on sea animals and how we can keep our oceans clean. Stories like this can help children see beyond the actual litter on the beach, understanding the consequences littering might have for their future and the future of the entire planet.

This was such a great book! I enjoyed it just as much as my daughter did, and we were so happy to meet Peter the Turtle. It teaches children how to protect the environment and keep the oceans clean, with a clear focus on sea animals and their habitat. Whether at home or in the classroom, it can be used to talk about serious matters with young readers. Well done!
Profile Image for Monika.
Author 17 books14 followers
November 13, 2025
A Gentle, Giggle-Filled Reminder That Everyone Needs Help Sometimes

Peter the Turtle Can’t Poop is one of those delightfully silly stories that manages to mix humor with heart in the best possible way. Kim Wilch introduces young readers to Peter, a sweet turtle who faces a very real and very relatable problem… and let’s just say it’s one many parents will find hilariously familiar. With a stuck belly, worried frown, and a need for a little help, Peter sets off on a journey that’s as funny as it is reassuring.

What makes this story shine is its gentle honesty. Kids immediately understand how uncomfortable Peter feels, yet the tone remains light and comforting. Each of the characters Peter meets brings a spark of warmth, reminding children that it’s okay to ask for help—even with the embarrassing things. There’s no shame in being stuck; there’s only community, kindness, and solutions.

The illustrations add to the narrative, capturing Peter’s expressions and the playful mood perfectly. Every page feels friendly and accessible, making this a great pick for preschool and early elementary readers. By the end, children will laugh, empathize, and walk away with an encouraging message about listening to their bodies and seeking help when something doesn’t feel right.
Profile Image for Denise.
397 reviews38 followers
February 2, 2022
This is a cute and simple, yet effective, story about the negative impact of litter on animals and the environment.

Peter the Turtle decides to eat some leftover food from the shore, which causes him digestive distress (i.e. the title of the book!) Poor Peter then gets tangled up in a net. Both of these scenarios are all too realistic and common, and I love that the author showed just how much harm can be caused by litter. Anyone with a heart will want to see Peter escape the net and feel better!

Reading Peter's story will hopefully make people of ALL ages rethink where they put their garbage. The message is clear and straightforward, so even young children will be able to easily understand what is going on. I love the combination of fun and education this book brings and recommend it to everyone. Let's help all the sea turtles and marine animals everywhere live healthy and thriving lives!
Profile Image for Alexa Jaye.
394 reviews14 followers
February 4, 2022
🐢 How cool is this little guy? A cool way to learn about the environment!🐢


🐢 A fun way to teach little people why rubbish belongs in the bin.  I love the rhyming in this book, it makes the story come to life and helps build the enthusiasm for the lessons it is teaching.


🐢 I totally love the mischief of this little turtle, called Peter, as he tells his story 🐢 and his friend the starfish, called Chase, to the rescue!


🐢 I was so excited to be offered an ARC copy of this book, but I have a Kindle Unlimited copy. All thoughts and feelings expressed here are my own.


🐢 I love all the lessons for little people in this book, from healthy eating habits to keeping our environment clean! And if you haven't worked it out yet... I love the turtle 🐢 best!


🐢 What are you waiting for? 🐢


💕 Happy Reading! 💕
Profile Image for Ella English.
Author 4 books95 followers
February 20, 2023
In this book we meet a curious little turtle who likes to eat the litter he finds on the beach. However, this bad habit gets Peter into some serious digestive distress, as he struggles to pass all the garbage he's consumed. Despite the serious subject matter, the book manages to be both humorous and visually stunning, with delightful illustrations that had my kids giggling throughout. I especially appreciated how the story tackles the important issue of environmental responsibility in a way that's accessible and engaging for young readers. In my opinion, "Peter the Turtle Can’t Poop” is a must-read for every classroom, home, and library looking to inspire children to keep our planet clean and healthy.

I received a copy of this book from the author for free.
Profile Image for James Roberts.
Author 15 books18 followers
February 8, 2022
Cute story of a young turtle and his adventure on the beach. Unfortunately for him, he encounters a lot of litter and trash. He doesn't realize it's harmful and eats it. He then has quite a digestion problem! This is an easy flowing, rhyming picture book great for early readers or as a bedtime story. The author has a nice way with words. Children will be enchanted by the bright, colorful illustrations featuring easily recognizable wildlife. The author also cleverly uses a change in the turtle's color to convey emotion. A great lesson about keeping the beaches and oceans clean, and also about keeping a healthy diet.
Profile Image for T Robertson-Post.
Author 1 book3 followers
February 22, 2022
Fun & educational

This book teaches a lesson to the reader of how litter can adversely affect nature, especially animals. The main character comes across some litter on the beach and tries to eat and play with some of it. But he soon realizes that's a bad idea once it hits his stomach! His friend, the starfish, helps him to feel better in the end. The illustrations are bright and colorful. I only wish there were more variations in the background of the illustrations, but they are still very eye-catching. This book is good to open up dialogue between a parent and child about keeping the earth clean and litter-free.
Profile Image for Rita Reed.
Author 3 books26 followers
August 4, 2025
IMPORTANT & FUN story!

Peter the Turtle is a charming, rhyming adventure that’s as heartwarming as it is educational! Young readers will love following Peter on his brave beach day journey—full of curiosity, unexpected trouble, and a big reminder about keeping our oceans clean. With playful verses, giggle-worthy moments, and a gentle lesson on the dangers of litter and the importance of healthy choices, this story is both fun and meaningful. And when Peter finds himself in a pinch, it’s friendship that saves the day! A wonderful pick for turtle lovers and little eco-heroes alike—this book is a splash of joy with a shell-full of heart! 🐢💚
1 review
February 1, 2022
Peter the Turtle Can't Poop is a clever book. It illustrates the importance of keeping our Earth clean while focusing on fun context for the little readers. The book uses simple language, has super cute illustrations, and is silly (doesn't everyone laugh when someone says poop)! My favorite part is how the author draws off of the natural curiosity of animals. It highlights how when we litter, even simple things like food or a piece of plastic, animals are drawn to it without knowledge of the danger. This book is great for kids to learn a great lesson in a fun way!
Profile Image for Zowie Norris.
694 reviews33 followers
February 9, 2022
What a bright and fun book! This is a great way to teach children about the importance of recycling and looking after the environment too.
Meet Peter - an adorable Turtle that eats some rubbish and ends up with tummy ache and further tangles ( quite literally!)
Children will enjoy the humour , cute illustrations, and rhymes too. A friendly starfish is around to help out too!
Looking after the environmental is such an important theme for children to learn from a young age, so this book is perfect for encouraging those discussions too. A great book - highly recommended ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for Vivian Cameron-Gallo.
Author 2 books5 followers
April 7, 2023
From the very first page I had a smile from ear to ear reading this book! What a great story for teaching kids that we are what we eat and when we eat the wrong stuff we get bound up!! There's also a nice layering into the story addressing littering and being more responsible to sea life and helping others. It's sure to bring a smile to your face and a chuckle from your child. I received a copy from the author and really was inspired to share my thoughts about it! My only complaint is that I felt like it ended too soon!
Profile Image for Marcela.
Author 11 books16 followers
February 1, 2022
A cute story with a great lesson!
This is a cute story that uses a little bit of humor to teach young children an important lesson about the environment and keeping it clean. The book is brightly illustrated, and written in a clear and simple way for children to understand. It will definitely have little readers giggling thoughout the story. A great book to have in a primary classroom to help open up a conversation about pollution and how it affects the environment. Well done!

Profile Image for Karen Olson.
Author 2 books16 followers
February 2, 2022
Recommend this cute book!

A fun rhyming story for young children that is sure to make kids laugh, especially the illustration of after the turtle does poop! Ok, that could be a little gross except the illustrator added just the right touch to make it hilarious! Yet there is a lesson about the dangers of littering on a beach. Reading this book with your children will be a good way to introduce the subject of not littering anywhere.
Profile Image for DJ.
48 reviews
February 5, 2022
Constipated? Read about Peter that can't poop!

Oh my goodness! I loved the story! I have grandkids and know that sometimes they have potty problems. I wish I had this boom when they were younger.
Peter the turtle that can't poop can teach children and adults the importance of eating good foods and not garbage. Yes, trash in all forms will harm your insides. Eat healthy to keep those poops regular. I was laughing as I read this book. The pictures are beautiful.
5 reviews
February 6, 2022
The bright illustrations and fun rhymes make this a fantastic book for children! My kids (7 and 9) both loved it but I think it would be really great for even younger ages too! In this book we follow innocent Peter who munches and plays with the rubbish left behind by humans until he realizes it really isn’t good for him and puts him in a jam. What will happen next and what can we do to help save turtles like Peter? Order your copy to find out!
Profile Image for Read M Books.
195 reviews1 follower
February 8, 2022
Give a toot, don’t pollute!

This cute little story packs a big punch! The colorful, super cute illustrations and fun, rhyming text teach many great concepts while also entertaining young and old readers alike!

For the adults in the room . . . this story teaches about healthy eating, not playing with litter, disposing of trash appropriately, bad foods give us tummy aches, kindness, and friendship! It does all that without being boring, long, or preachy. It’s truly a great story!
Profile Image for Rebecca Porter.
45 reviews2 followers
April 3, 2022
poop-tastic

I love the illustrations of Peter the Turtle. Vibrant, and full of fun.
We all know the effects littering causes to our environment, Kim Wilch wrote an adorable story, that you should read with your kiddos. Her story not only is funny and engaging, it teaches kids that trash belongs in a bin (trash can) because animals can get hurt, or get very sick from eating the trash just like poor blue Peter did.
Profile Image for Becci Murray.
Author 50 books16 followers
February 2, 2022
A great message and a story kids will love

I read this story to my five year old godson and he thoroughly enjoyed the poop part of the book! But it was also great for introducing environmental issues and really highlighted the importance of keeping our oceans clean. The pictures are really bright and eye catching too. It was a big hit with us - highly recommended!
Profile Image for Holly Mazzochi.
Author 2 books26 followers
February 21, 2022
What a wonderful children’s book that teaches the importance of maintaining a healthy environment to keep our animals safe! I loved the colorful illustrations; especially sweet Peter! The rhyming throughout the story makes for a very fun read! The kiddos in your life will be sure to giggle! 💩☺️ I am so excited to share this book with my family and friends!
Profile Image for K. Turner.
Author 17 books16 followers
April 5, 2022
This cute book was easy for my child to read and so much fun! It highlights the importance of picking up your trash (especially around water) and promotes healthy eating in a fun way that kids can understand. My son, of course, loved it when the turtle started "tooting". I have no doubt that this is a book we will read time and time again.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews

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