The Turtle and the Moon

The luminous pastels of Melissa Bay Mathis, from nightwater blues to predawn pinks, are the perfect accompaniment to this gentle story about a wistful turtle and the mysteries of moonlight. Even the youngest listeners will respond to the themes of nighttime and friendship in this quiet, soothing picture book. Full-color illustrations.

PreSchool-Grade 2-- Everyday, Turtle goes about his usual activities alone, but he longs for a playmate. One night he wakes up to find something very big, very round, and very different from anything he has ever seen--the moon. It doesn't speak to him, but together they go swimming, play hide-and-seek, tag, and diving games. Turtle eventually falls asleep and his friend disappears with the rising sun, only to return the following evening. Mathis's deep-toned pastel drawings successfully capture the yellow-orange of the setting sun as well as the purple-pink as it rises the next day. They work hand in hand with Turner's warm, simple text. --Rachel Fox, Port Washington Pub . Lib . , NY
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

A solitary turtle observes a daily round of sunning, swimming, and withdrawing into his shell for the night--until one evening he finds an unusual companion: the moon. At first, it slips behind a cloud; the turtle supposes that it is shy. Then, the moon seems to join him in the water, the turtle's playful attentions making it ever more various and lovely. Like the turtle's sport, Turner's first picture book plays imaginatively with appearance and reality. Mathis's vibrant illustrations glow with rich blues and greens that deepen from sunlit water to darker tones; her turtle is both handsome and charming. A lovely idyll, with just enough story to hold attention. (Picture book. 4-7) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.