PRESCHOOL
Phelan, Matt

Turtle Walk

(2) PS Join four turtles, two large and two small, on a slow walk through the seasons of the year. Soft, smudgy lines and rounded shapes in washes of joyful color create scenes worth meandering through. The chanting text keeps a gentle rhythm throughout and invites participation: "Turtle walk. Nice and slow. // Here we go. // Are we there yet? // No." Each season has its most celebrated attributes on display in the art, from birds, bunnies, and daffodils in spring to the brighter summer sun and the rich colors and harvest of autumn. Spot art and single-page illustrations show the turtles taking it all in as they walk. Each season breaks as the turtles cuddle up together for a good night's sleep, and the next season launches with the page-turn and a new day. The final season, winter, comes with a bit of an uphill struggle but also a surprise adventure from the top of the snowy hill, before the turtles head into their cave for their long winter's rest. "Zzzzzzzz." Paired with the inviting visuals, the predictable text has just the right mix of pace and repetition to capture the attention of the very youngest listeners enjoying their own slow and wondrous walks through life's first seasons.

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