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Product Description From the award-winning creator of I'M THE BIGGEST THING IN THE OCEAN comes an inspiring tale of friendship and belonging that's perfect for fans of THE SNAIL AND THE WHALE, OWEN AND MZEE, and Oliver Jeffers's LOST AND FOUND. Turtle is big. But the ocean is bigger. And Turtle is all alone. Until four shipwrecked folks--a bear, an owl, a frog, and a cat--climb to safety on his shell. Before long, they're fast friends, and the sea doesn't seem so vast anymore. But when Frog confides that he misses his family, Turtle doesn't understand. Isn't he their family? And when the group decides to sail for home, will Turtle be left behind? Never fear--a surprise on the horizon promises friends, family, and a home at last. Uplifting and heartfelt, this is a book about the power of friendship and making a home of one's own. From School Library Journal PreS-K—Sherry, no stranger to picture books featuring assertive and extra-large sea creatures (I'm the Biggest Thing in the Ocean, Penguin, 2007), introduces a giant turtle who is as big as an island. But even giant turtles get lonely in the vastness of the sea. Turtle is surprised and excited when a storm shipwrecks an odd assortment of animals (an owl, a bear, a frog, and a cat) on his back. Each animal has a special skill, and they work together to create a makeshift community atop his shell. Things take a poignant turn when the wee animals confess that they miss their families. Turtle wonders, "Wasn't I their family?" and is visibly distraught when his new friends set sail to return home. Sherry's bright colors and simple shapes fill the pages, emphasizing Turtle's massive dimensions in comic juxtaposition to his tiny friends. Preschoolers will be soothed to find that all ends well in a joyful reunion; Turtle's friends and their families return to build a permanent community on his shell. A fun addition for larger picture-book collections.—Kiera Parrott, School Library Journal From Booklist Floating in the center of the ocean is Turtle, who’s as big as an island! He sure gets lonely in the vast ocean by himself, so he’s delighted when in the middle of a storm, a ship wrecks on his shell and four new friends—Bear, Cat, Frog, and Owl—settle in on his back. Turtle helps fish, Bear builds a shelter, and Owl knits a cozy scarf for their island-sized friend. Finally, Turtle is no longer alone. But his new friends have families they miss, and before long, they build a raft and leave Turtle behind. Bereft, his scarf growing ragged and frayed, Turtle is lonelier than ever—until his friends return with their families and set up camp permanently. Sherry uses brilliant, speckled watercolor washes for the ocean and sky, while the creatures are rendered in simple, colorful shapes with thick outlines and cartoonishly big eyes. Lovable Turtle and his happy, friend-filled future will likely strike a chord with little ones feeling lonely. Preschool-Grade 1. --Sarah Hunter Review “Sherry’s simple but touching first-person narrative is well suited to its young audience . . . The wide-eyed animals have friendly faces, and the snug details of the home (and eventual town) they create on the turtle’s back will pique the interest of youthful viewers. . . . [S]it back and enjoy this whimsical, watery world.”— BCCB "A sweet, fantastic depiction of community building."— Kirkus "Sherry uses brilliant, speckled watercolor washes for the ocean and sky, while the creatures are rendered in simple, colorful shapes with thick outlines and cartoonishly big eyes. Lovable Turtle and his happy, friend-filled future will likely strike a chord with little ones feeling lonely."— Booklist PRAISE FOR I'M THE BIGGEST THING IN THE OCEAN: "Waves of exuberance flow out of this crowd-pleaser, in which a squid proudly points out how much bigger it is than any shrimp, clam, octopus or fish in the neighborhood."-- Kirkus, starred review "Sherry renders his hero and habitat in bright colors and bold, sim