Turtle-Turtle and the Wide, Wide River

The married creators Hillenbrand (What a Treasure!) return with another sweet, simple, and wise take on the value of friendship and self-discovery. As huge gray storm clouds swiftly roll in, all the creatures on a river island know how to react—except for young Turtle-Turtle, “too new to know what to do,” who smilingly regards a pink bloom. Despite the warnings of Heron (“Skedaddle!”), Frog (“Slip away!”), and Otter (“Swim!”), Turtle-Turtle tucks in tight (“Stay”) as “the rain pelted down, down, down,/ and the wide, wide river rose up, up, up.” Swept underwater with a big “SWOOSH,” flailing Turtle-Turtle finds his self-preservation instincts kicking in—he can “hold his breath in, in, in/ and keep his eyes open wide, wide, wide.” And in addition to this moment of experiential learning, other island species coach him on how to paddle and kick to high ground. Deft use of repetition and onomatopoeia make this a lively readaloud, while kinetic digital images of the roiling river and ominous skies evoke a just-right dose of suspense (and relief) among the cast of bright-eyed critters rendered with thickly outlined shapes. An author’s note concludes. Ages 3–6. (Mar.)