Starred Review ALA Booklist (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Starred Review In this inviting book, Montgomery introduces turtles with facts, observations, and an irrepressible admiration for the critters as well as a knack for seeing things from their perspective. Musing about their distinctive shells and slow pace, she points out that their built-in armor protects them from predators so well that they don't need to move fast. Like the dinosaurs, turtles first appeared some 240 million years ago. Other topics discussed include evidence of their intelligence and the abilities and examples of adaptations that have helped certain species survive. After profiling several turtle "celebrities," such as Lonesome George, who was the last Pinta Island tortoise, and Myrtle, a 550-pound sea turtle who is a star attraction in the Giant Ocean Tank at the New England Aquarium, the book concludes with information about endangered turtles and suggested ways that kids can help them. Montgomery, whose Kakapo Rescue: Saving the World's Strangest Parrot (2010) won the Sibert Medal, is in her element here, sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm for turtles with readers. The book's spare design creates a showcase for Patterson's lifelike acrylic paintings of turtles viewed from every angle, including a cutaway picture of a turtle's bones and shell. A beautiful, informative introduction to turtles.

Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

A longtime ambassador for the animal kingdom introduces turtles from around the world.Knowing just what will intrigue her readers, naturalist Montgomery starts off with a surprising statement: "Sometime around 240 million years ago…the shell invented the turtle." She describes the ways shells define and protect turtles. She details turtles' other physical characteristics and their unusual longevity. She gives examples of "extreme turtles"-biggest, smallest, flattest, fattest, and so forth, and species with unusual traits and/or skills. Readers will learn that the Chinese softshell terrapin is one of several species that "tinkle through their mouths." Some South American turtles communicate through vocalizations. She also introduces some celebrity turtles, including the late Pinta Island tortoise Lonesome George, likely the last of his kind. An appealing section on the habits of baby sea turtles leads nicely into a description of turtle population decline and why turtles are a crucial part of ecosystems...which in turn leads to suggestions of how readers can help. Accompanying the smoothly written narrative are images of more than 30 species, often with features of their usual habitat, mostly set against a white background. Wildlife artist Patterson's unobtrusively labeled acrylic paintings are realistic and detailed. Who can resist the tortoises enjoying a neck rub or shell scratch (from light-skinned human hands)? Smartly pairing two experts in wildlife portrayal, this one is not to be missed.Splendid. (resources, glossary, bibliography) (Nonfiction. 5-9)

School Library Journal Starred Review (Wed Nov 01 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Gr 2–5 —This beautiful picture/reference book will be delightful to fans of turtles, tortoises, and terrapins everywhere. Rather than a dry recitation of facts, the narrative introduces readers to various colorful, large, small, and even a few famous turtles, all of whom are gorgeously illustrated in acrylic. The fact that several of the turtles are ones Patterson personally knows (from the illustrator's note) lends a level of authenticity to the paintings. The text is easy to read and understand, but does have several vocabulary words defined in a glossary at the end. There are also helpful hints to readers about how to help protect turtles. The vividly detailed illustrations, though, are what set this book on fire. VERDICT A stunning book that will delight readers of any age, filled with interesting facts about the turtles' life cycles, their eating habits, and even a few myths.—Jessica Durham

Horn Book (Thu Oct 03 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Sometime around 240 million years ago -- about the time of the first dinosaurs, and 9 million years before the first crocodile -- the shell invented the turtle.

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

A longtime ambassador for the animal kingdom introduces turtles from around the world.Knowing just what will intrigue her readers, naturalist Montgomery starts off with a surprising statement: "Sometime around 240 million years ago…the shell invented the turtle." She describes the ways shells define and protect turtles. She details turtles' other physical characteristics and their unusual longevity. She gives examples of "extreme turtles"-biggest, smallest, flattest, fattest, and so forth, and species with unusual traits and/or skills. Readers will learn that the Chinese softshell terrapin is one of several species that "tinkle through their mouths." Some South American turtles communicate through vocalizations. She also introduces some celebrity turtles, including the late Pinta Island tortoise Lonesome George, likely the last of his kind. An appealing section on the habits of baby sea turtles leads nicely into a description of turtle population decline and why turtles are a crucial part of ecosystems...which in turn leads to suggestions of how readers can help. Accompanying the smoothly written narrative are images of more than 30 species, often with features of their usual habitat, mostly set against a white background. Wildlife artist Patterson's unobtrusively labeled acrylic paintings are realistic and detailed. Who can resist the tortoises enjoying a neck rub or shell scratch (from light-skinned human hands)? Smartly pairing two experts in wildlife portrayal, this one is not to be missed.Splendid. (resources, glossary, bibliography) (Nonfiction. 5-9)

Publishers Weekly (Thu Oct 03 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Montgomery and Patterson astonish with this fact-driven turtle tribute. An intriguing opening remark—“The shell invented the turtle”—leads into discussion of the creatures’ most defining feature: “The shell permits a slow pace—no need to hurry when you’re safe.” Conversational text further invites appreciation for the reptiles’ longevity (the Aldabra giant tortoise can live up to 250 years), talents (some can learn mazes), and communication abilities (leatherback babies call to each other from inside their eggs), while emphasizing individuality (“Turtles, like people, have thoughts and feelings”) and highlighting select “celebrity turtles.” Realistic, almost photographic, acrylic paintings capture diverse turtle species, inspired by “turtles the artist has personally known.” Every page is an authoritative delight in this conservation-minded ode poised to turn anyone into a turtle lover. Resources, glossary, and bibliography conclude. Ages 4–8. (May)