Bearsuit Turtle Makes a Friend: A Picture Book

by Bob Shea

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

This warm and witty book is perfect for inspiring young readers to find their best selves, and to settle for nothing less.

Fall in love with a turtle wearing a bear suit—determined to prove that he’s a “for-real” bear—in this laugh-out-loud silly friendship story from the award-winning Bob Shea, author-illustrator of the popular Dinosaur VS. series and Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great

3 starred reviews! "Fresh, expressive, and wildly colorful." (Booklist starred review)

When a turtle in a bear suit claims he is a “for-real” bear, he must prove himself to another turtle who just so happens to be a for-real bear expert. Hilarity ensues as Bearsuit Turtle proves he can climb trees, hibernate, and do other for-real bear stuff . . . like riding bikes, eating ice cream, and smashing pumpkins.

But when Bear-Expert Turtle reveals a secret, Bearsuit Turtle has to admit a truth of his own. Whether or not these two turtles are for-real bears or experts, they just might become for-real friends.

With a fabulously endearing, offbeat, and memorable new character; playful, true-to-life child dynamics; and a goofy, kid-perfect sense of humor, Bearsuit Turtle Makes a Friend is sure to charm readers everywhere. Includes a page of “for-real bear facts” at the end.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781419771552
Publisher:	Abrams Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	03/25/2025
Series:	Bearsuit Turtle
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	10.60(w) x 8.60(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Bob Shea is an acclaimed children’s book author who has written and illustrated over a dozen picture books, including the Dinosaur vs. series and Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great. Shea’s characters have appeared on Playhouse Disney, PBS Kids, and Nick Jr. He lives in Connecticut with his wife, Colleen, and their son, Ryan. He and Colleen own Perfectly Nice, a graphic design studio.

Editorial Reviews

***STARRED REVIEW***
"[R]aw, comedic immediacy...an impish delight that’s certain to tickle readers"Weekly

"All’s well that ends well in this book that will stand up to multiple read-alouds."

Horn Book Magazine

"A quirky and sweet animal friendship story with special appeal for fans of the author’s other books."

School Library Journal

***STARRED REVIEW***
"While Shea’s humor is very much on a child’s wavelength, adults reading the book aloud will also enjoy the two characters’ conversations. Fresh, expressive, and wildly colorful...A somewhat wacky and completely enjoyable picture book."

Booklist

***STARRED REVIEW***
"Shea...understands the power of subversive humor and honest truth. Combining the two makes the first of this new series a laugh-out-loud romp that won’t just have kids giggling: It will have them begging for a reread. Shea’s spare, colorful art and conversational text work in perfect unison...This is a must for librarians, teachers and parents looking for a delightful read-aloud to add to their collection. More, please!"

BookPage

"The text is ideal for reading aloud and laughing along with, while the visual gag builds into a sweet relationship. An amiable romp, funny to look at and fun to read."

Kirkus Review

2025-01-18
Two turtles form a unique bond over a shared special interest.

As the title humorously suggests, this picture book features a turtle in a bear costume. The suit is yellow and rotund, not unlike the form of a certain fabled bear with a particular taste for honey. The turtle cuts a comical figure—a little green ovoid face inhabiting the suit’s mouth, right about where a tongue should be. The suit’s hollow black interior frames a dramatic range of facial emotions. Bearsuit Turtle soon encounters a regular turtle who’s unconvinced that our hero is in fact a bear. So Bearsuit Turtle attempts to prove it as the other turtle lists skills that all bears have: climbing trees (the protagonist clambers up before quickly crashing to the ground), hibernating (a feat our hero manages for approximately two seconds), and foraging for food (in this case, ice cream—every bear’s favorite!). The turtles’ back-and-forth approaches increasingly absurd heights until our hero finally drops the charade—and the bear outfit. Shea employs his signature style, with characters rendered from simple shapes and a few rough-hewn lines communicating facial expressions perfectly. The pals amble through a brightly colored woodland speckled with pointy trees, blobby clouds, and the occasional tweety bird. The text is ideal for reading aloud and laughing along with, while the visual gag builds into a sweet relationship.

An amiable romp, funny to look at and fun to read.(Picture book. 3-7)

Kirkus Reviews