Synopsis
A wry and tender tale about an eager young turtle who learns that the dearest gifts are those you keep close to your heart
The Turtle Family can hardly wait for Grandmother to arrive and celebrate her birthday, and little Albert is the most excited of all. "Come outside with me, Grandmother," he begs after she's sunk into the easy chair. "I'll teach you how to play marbles!" Albert is crushed when his big sister tells him that it's too cold to go outside and that he should have gotten Grandmother a present to take home, like the pink beaded bracelet she made. Is there anything Albert can give Grandmother to keep her warm — and remind her of him?
Children's Literature
Grandmother Turtle is visiting Albert's family to celebrate her birthday. As each of the family members presents her with homemade presents, Albert wishes that he could show skateboard tricks like his brother, or make a beaded bracelet like his sister, or bake a cake like his mother, or build a foot stool like his father. Even his efforts to make a cup of dandelion tea are thwarted by his mother who says she will make tea for everyone to have with the cake. Too bad she did not notice his desire to give something of himself to his grandmother: "get down before you fall and break your shell" is meant as a safety precaution but comes across as a "you cannot do it" statement. Poor Albert feels very sad as he watches the rest of the family with grandmother. He is so sad that he really wants his blankie (and to suck his thumb) but knows that he will be teased by his siblings and that his parents will say that he is too big to hold onto a blankie. This thought process prompts him to part with his precious blankie as a "special" present for his grandmother who has said several times that she is cold. This sacrifice satisfies him and he reassures his grandmother: "I don't need it anymore because I'm a big turtle now and I go to kindergarten." Grandmother thanks him profusely, "What a thoughtful, generous gift." This will serve well for those parents and child care givers who are encouraging "graduating" from the need for a blankie. I, myself, am not sure at what age this is really necessary, but recognize that public thumb sucking and blankets are sources of ridicule for children. Cheerfully illustrated by Cushman, this book will give children excellent role models for gift giving--homemadegifts or those truly from the heart are often the very best.