Truman
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- $10.99
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- $10.99
Publisher Description
An NPR Favorite Book of 2019
A New York Times Best Children’s book of 2019
A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of 2019
A School Library Journal Best Picture Book of 2019
"An enchanting tale of bravery, heroism, and undying devotion." —The New York Times Book Review
After his best friend Sarah leaves for her first day of school, a tortoise named Truman goes on an adventure across the living room and learns to be brave in this thoughtful and heartwarming twist on a first experience story.
Truman the tortoise lives with his Sarah, high above the taxis and the trash trucks and the number eleven bus, which travels south. He never worries about the world below…until one day, when Sarah straps on a big backpack and does something Truman has never seen before. She boards the bus!
Truman waits for her to return.
He waits.
And waits.
And waits.
And when he can wait no longer, he knows what he must do.
Even if it seems…impossible!
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Truman's a tortoise; he's "small, the size of a donut a small donut and every bit as sweet." A perceptive fellow, he senses change one morning as his owner Sarah eats "a big banana with her breakfast" and "strapped on a backpack SOOOOOO big, thirty-two small tortoises could ride along." Specific quantities confer verisimilitude to this tale by Reidy (Pup 681): "Sarah placed seven green beans in Truman's dish two more than usual!" Then Sarah "kissed her finger and touched it to his shell and whispered, Be brave,' " and boards the number 11 bus. Readers know she's probably not gone forever, but Truman doesn't, and he resolves to find his way down to the bus to retrieve her. Cummins (Stumpkin) contributes expressive, thick-lined drawings that delineate cozy scenes inside and out of Sarah's city residence. The smallness of Truman's world makes his expedition appropriately daunting and funny as he makes his way out of his tank and toward the door. Fortunately for Truman and his new fans, he doesn't have to go too far to find his person. Observational humor, clear affection between Truman and Sarah, and bold adventure make this a memorable pet-owner love story. Ages 4 8.
