Who Wants a Tortoise? - Hardcover

Keane, Dave

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0385754175 ISBN 13: 9780385754170

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2016

Synopsis

"A sweet read-aloud for first-time tortoise owners." --Kirkus, starred review


Could there be any better pet than a puppy? One young girl is about to find out. From beloved author Dave Keane and acclaimed illustrator K.G. Campbell, a laugh-out-loud story of unexpected friendship!
 
 
When the spunky, loveable narrator receives a tortoise for her birthday, instead of the cuddly puppy she’s longed for her entire life, she’s more than a little disappointed.  But while her new lump of a pet isn’t what she dreamed of, it doesn’t take long—between tortoise-on-skateboard walks, sparkly shell makeovers, and a lemonade stand selling chances to hold a real life tortoise—for the little girl to change her mind—sort of.  But when her pet goes missing, all she wants is to be reunited with her new best friend.

About this title

About the Author

Dave Keane is the author of Sloppy Joe and Bobby Bramble Loses His Brain. He lives in Northern California, where his family pet is a tortoise named Shelly! Visit him at mrdavekeane.com. Follow Dave on Twitter, @MrDaveKeane.

K.G Campbell was born in Kenya, but raised and educated in Scotland. He has illustrated the Newbury Award winning Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo and Lester’s Dreadful Sweaters, which he also wrote. K.G. lives in California. Visit him at kgcampbell.com and follow him on Twitter, @KGCampbell2.

From School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2—A girl yearns for a puppy. After much anticipation, her birthday present doesn't turn out to be what she expected. With dreams dashed, she eyes her tortoise warily. Assessing the abilities of her "new lump of a pet," the feisty child discovers that he's not good at fetch, won't "beg for baloney," and doesn't "get excited when you come through the door." The pair do eventually bond over toenail-painting parties and skateboard-enabled walks. When her tortoise goes missing, the girl realizes how much she loves that "rascally guy with the waggly tail." Campbell's quirky colored-pencil and watercolor illustrations are the perfect match for the hilarious, spirited narration. Wearing a paw-print T-shirt, the sassy, pigtailed girl shows her initial displeasure by crinkling her eyes and making her "mad face." In a touching scene, the child appears in the nighttime shadows, wistfully looking out her window for her lost friend. VERDICT Irresistibly idiosyncratic and full of charm, this pet tale is a keeper. An adorable addition to any pet-themed storytime.—Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ont., Canada

About this edition

• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 0385754175
• ISBN 13: 9780385754170
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 40
• Illustrator: Campbell K. G.