BIRTLE AND THE PURPLE TURTLES

“It was a Tuesday like any other in Turtletown”—until it wasn’t.

Tootie wants nothing more than someone to play with, but none of the other turtles are interested in tag! Tootie has never gotten to play her favorite game with anyone. When a strange little creature falls from the sky, Tootie’s day takes a sudden turn for the weird—and wonderful. Tootie and the newly named Teeny have a lot in common and quickly become best friends. But Teeny is different. So different, in fact, she might not be a turtle at all. Will Tootie be able to convince her that different can be good? The central message about accepting difference feels a bit contrived, but it’s admittedly very funny (and occasionally heart-rending) to watch what’s definitely a bird navigate trying to be a turtle. In one scene, Tootie takes Teeny to the shell store, where Teeny tries on fancy shells, mossy shells, spiky shells, and more; later, Teeny grows even more feathers, and the pair try to cover them up. A limited palette and minimal detail allow the expressions and individuality of the characters to shine. These dynamic illustrations carry the story, whereas the occasionally stilted dialogue and bubbly interjections serve it less well.

Not the most original tale but sweet and engaging nonetheless.