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If You Like...Turtles and Tortoises

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My family really likes turtles. My family also really likes tortoises. We are an equal opportunity family that likes all Testudines. Anyway, since we love turtles and actually have two pet turtles ourselves,) it isn’t that crazy that our family gets extra excited when there is a new turtle book to check out from the library. These five books are great books to read to kids, if you like turtles and tortoises. Happy Reading! 

By Bob Shea 
New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2025. Picture Book. 

A young turtle is dressed up in a bearsuit and tells the world that he is a “for-real bear”. Only, there is another turtle that is a “for-real bear expert” and isn’t quite convinced. The two go on to discover that even if they aren’t really a “for-real bear” or the “for-real bear expert”, they can still be “for-real” turtle friends. This book is great for kids who love turtles, bears, or even have a great imagination. 

By Peter Horn 
Illustrated by Jessica Meserve 
Translated by Johanna McCalmont 
New York: North South Books, Inc., 2025. Picture Book. 

This is a delightful book to share one-on-one with a young child who loves all sorts of animals (but especially tortoises). A tortoise dad and his son talk about what dads do, and which dad is the best dad of all. Young kids who want a good snuggle and dads who want to show kids that they do so much for them will both enjoy reading this book. 

By Beth Ferry and Tom Lichtenheld 
Pictures by Tom Booth 
New York: Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2024. Picture Book.

A young panda who is moving is distraught when a beloved pet turtle goes missing. The movers who have been packing boxes and loading the moving truck then must unpack things and go searching for the wayward turtle. Kids who love their pets and worry about what happens when they all move will enjoy reading this story starring these delightful bear-movers. 

By Emmy Kastner 
New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2025. Picture Book. 

This book is all about the friendship between a tortoise and a mouse that share a burrow. The two animals need a new burrow (and tortoise loves to dig), so tortoise goes off to dig. Only when she returns she finds that mouse is gone and other animals are wanting to get a spot in the new burrow. Kids who love learning about real animals (tortoises and mice are actual burrow mates in Florida) and navigating friendship will enjoy this tale.

The Tortosaurus 
By Katie Cottle 
Wilton, CT: Tiger Tales, 2025. Picture Book. 

Dot is a young girl who is starting at a new school. She is shy and wants to make friends…so in order to impress everyone she tells them she has a pet “tortosaurus” instead of just a pet tortoise. Everyone is so excited to meet her pet dinosaur/tortoise—only it isn’t really true. This story goes over friends, telling the truth, and being yourself. Plus there is a tortoise!
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