Tommy Turtle

by Mary L. Schmidt, Michael Schmidt

Tommy Turtle is a shy land turtle who likes to hide inside his shell. Tommy represents children who are shy around other children and adults, and he is nervous to play or speak. Most children are shy from time to time and it's important for children to understand shyness and how to act around others who are or aren't shy. Children need to know that shyness is normal, and they need positive encouragement from peers, family, and teachers/adults in their lives. This concept teaching can start in preschool. Children need to develop and practice social skills which will increase their quality of life in school through drama class, music, gym class, show and tell time, play time and more, rather than staying on the sidelines and simply watching others and having less friends and social isolation. If confidence is learned, self-esteem increases, and children succeed. Less confidence promotes increased shyness. It is essential to praise children for their successes and not shame them at all when they fail. All social and emotional learning helps children to express feelings and be tuned in to the needs of others. This teaching contributes to the development of all children. Social acceptance and inclusion are important in social learning from an early age. The opportunity to interact with your child/children in a positive environment, such as the park in this story, illustrates the importance of a positive environment in aiding children with learning social skills with other children and adults. Tommy Turtle helps parents and teachers reinforce positive behaviors in an imaginative setting of a park and mud puddles as they learn about land turtles and shyness. Learning and sharing are essential for social development in all children. 

33 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 15, 2022

About the author

Mary L. Schmidt is a multi-hyphenate and writes under her given name and a pen name, S. Jackson, along with her husband Michael, pen name A Raymond. She grew up in a small Kansas (USA) town and has lived in more than one state since then. At this time, Mary and her husband split their time between homes in Kansas and Colorado as they love the mountains and off road four-wheeling. Traveling is one of their most favorite things to do and Mary always has a book to read on her Kindle. Books are one of her favorite things. When she was younger, it seemed like every time she turned around, a new library card was needed due to the current one being stamped complete. Diving into a good book made any day perfect and you would be surprised at the number of books she read over and over. Mary has written 48 books thus far, and they range from art book, recipe book, children's books, several memoirs, and romance books. As a child, Mary drew paper dolls, and clothes for them, using watercolor as her medium when painting scenes, especially flowers. She continued with art in high school exploring a wide variety of mediums such as jewelry making, ceramics, leather works, drawing, painting and more! Her creative loves to be an amateur shutterbug and she has an online art gallery. In college, she went into the sciences, and received a bachelor's degree in the Science of Nursing. Throughout her nursing career, Michael assisted Mary in her work with The American Cancer Society, March of Dimes, Cub and Boy Scouts, and sponsored children alongside his wife on music trips. Mary's nursing career was highly successful, and she hung up her nursing hat in December 2012. Mary and Michael love to read, fish, play poker, go Jeeping, and travel, especially to visit their grandson, Austin, and granddaughter, Emma. She has written 62 books with more in various stages.

Reviews

[Katie Mettner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tommy Turtle is such a cute, sweet, engaging story for kids of all ages! Parents, teachers, and caregivers will love reading the story aloud and kids will love the colorful images that go along with an important tale about learning to stretch your neck out a little bit and gain self-confidence. This book will help a shy child understand that it's okay to feel scared and shy sometimes, but it's also okay to go out and have fun!

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tommy Turtle is a young shy land turtle. He wants to play with the other turtles at the park, but fear keeps him inside his shell, away from the others. Tommy watches from his hiding place in a hollow tree stump as the others splash in mud puddles and has a good time. Soon another turtle named Jerry walks over and introduces himself to Tommy. He convinces Tommy to give playing in the puddles a try but takes him to a less crowded area of the park. There Tommy opens up and starts to play and have fun until another turtle comes over. Once more, Tommy hides in his shell till she convinces him she won’t make fun of him. Together, the three go on to meet other turtles in the park and play.

Authors Mary and Michael Schmidt have created a heartwarming picture book for children to understand what shyness is and how to treat their peers that are shy. The storyline is well thought-out, giving kids an accurate representation of what shyness is and what the child that is shy is thinking and feeling. In addition, it explains how to approach and encourage children that are sky to make new friends and try new things in a child-appropriate way.

Tommy Turtle is a wonderful resource for schools to use in the education of emotional empathy and social skill development. Teachers, especially in kindergarten, can use this story to help children become comfortable with new situations and people as they learn to be in a classroom together for the first time. The emphasis on self-esteem and acceptance of others blends into this engaging story, and children will want to see Tommy make new friends while understanding why it is so hard for him. This children’s book is a must-have for families and schools.

[Laban T. M'mbololo, Esq. · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this captivating and magnificently illustrated picture book about shyness, and how to act around others, good communication and a positive atmosphere are portrayed as essential towards a child’s social and emotional development.

Tommy starts off as a shy Turtle and through acceptance and inclusion, and with positive encouragement, transitions into being interactive and playful, and also learns it’s okay to sometimes be quite and learn from others too.

The book is full of wonderful illustrations and a powerful message at the most crucial times of a child’s development, which is between birth and 5 years, the “golden years” when they begin to develop their talking, thinking, social and emotional skills. It teaches them to embrace empathy towards others and learn they’re different people with varied exposures and the surroundings impact on their development as well. It’s also as critical for children to see themselves in books. It allows them to find belongingness at a time when they’re beginning to figure themselves out.

[J. Nordstrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parents and children will enjoy reading about how Tommy Turtle overcomes natural shyness and anxiety and becomes able to enjoy interacting with other turtles. You cannot but love how the gifted writer Mary Schmidt develops Tommy Turtle from a withdrawn-in-the-shell turtle to one who is willing to come out of his shell and have fun engaging with other turtles in various ways. The insights Schmidt's Tommy Turtle contains will help children overcome natural shyness and natural anxiety when they first enter school or begin to interact with other children in the playground. Tommy Turtle, Schmidt's main character, learns how to interact with children of both sexes. A delightful little book that helps children overcome shyness and social anxiety. It should be in the hands of all parents and their children! A 5-stars Bravo to Mary Schmidt!

[M.A. Quigley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Schmidt does a wonderful job of conveying how Tommy Turtle feels when he’s around other turtles.

If your child is shy and struggling to make friends with other children, give them a copy of this book to read. It has cute illustrations and teaches children to empathize with other children not just in the playground, but anywhere so they can ‘come out of their shell’, and enjoy interacting together without feeling awkward or anxious.

It’s a must-read for primary school teachers to read aloud to their students as well as parents to read to their children. Maybe then there would be less bullying in the schoolyard and shy children wouldn’t be picked on.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bashful land turtle named Tommy prefers the shelter of his shell. He peeks out at the other turtles playing in the park and is nervous to come out for fear they won’t like him. Jerry and Susie, also turtles, are kind and encourage Tommy to come out and play. This short, vibrantly illustrated read is aimed to teach children to deal with characteristic shyness and nervousness. Those who are anxious to interact with others could benefit from this easy-to-read, fun, fast-paced book. It is perfect for little ones and for adults to read to them and discuss the issue of shyness.

[Daniel Finnegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Award winning author, Mary L. Schmidt, tells a tale through Tommy Turtle about shyness. This is a common problem for children and adults alike. All of us have times when we want to hide inside our shell and it's okay. It's heartwarming to see how Tommy's friends help him in this touching story. Also... Tommy is the cutest turtle EVER! Five Stars!

[Samantha Soccorso · Rating 5 out of 5]

shells, turtles and shyness…Oh, my!!!

shells, turtles and shyness…Oh, my!!!

If you like animals and enjoy coming out of your shyness shell this is the book just for you. It is a short, but cute read for kids of all ages.

[Tammy Horvath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for kids who are shy. After reading "Her Heart" and "When Angels Fly" by this author, I knew I needed to check out Tommy Turtle. This is a must-read for any child who struggles with being shy. If your child needs to learn how to make friends, this book will help.

[Stefanie Nici · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect children's book to read to a group in a classroom setting or to keep in your child's little library at home. Even as an adult, I have a soft spot for stories such as these and we need more of them.

[Patricia Furstenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

🐢 Let me tell you about Tommy Turtle, the most adorable and charming story that kids of all ages will absolutely adore! Parents, teachers, and caregivers will find themselves falling in love with this heartwarming tale, perfect for reading aloud. And guess what? The vibrant illustrations will capture the attention of little ones, making the experience even more magical.

This delightful book carries an important message about the power of stepping out of your comfort zone and gaining self-confidence. It's a wonderful tool to help shy children understand that it's absolutely normal to feel scared or shy sometimes. But you know what? It's also perfectly fine to embrace new adventures and have a blast! So get ready to embark on a journey filled with valuable lessons and loads of fun! 📚💫