Box Turtle at Long Pond

by William T. George, Lindsay Barrett George (Illustrator)

Overview

"A day in the life of a box turtle is rendered carefully in words and lifelike illustrations with a text that respects its subject....Superior."—School Library Journal. "Will delight the young viewer. An excellent introduction to pond ecology, and a strikingly beautiful book."—Kirkus Reviews.

It is dawn at Long Pond. Box Turtle's red eyes look out from his shelter within a crumbling tree, and his day begins ...

In Beaver at Long Pond, the Georges introduced the pond and its resident. In this lyrical, magnificently painted companion book, they insure its place as a favorite spot on every child's itinerary.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780688081843
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	09/28/1989
Edition description:	1st ed
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.88(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.25(d)
Lexile:	600L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

William T. George created Christmas at Long Pond and Beaver at Long Pond together with his wife, Lindsay Barrett George. Mr. George died in 1999.

Lindsay Barrett George is widely recognized for her striking illustrations of animals, birds, and fish in their habitats. She is the author-illustrator of Maggie’s Ball; Alfred Digs; The Secret; Inside Mouse, Outside Mouse; In the Garden: Who’s Been Here?; and four other Who’s Been Here? titles.

Lindsay Barrett George lives in northeastern Pennsylvania with her dog, two cats, and a very handsome duck.

Editorial Reviews

A day in the life of a box turtle is chronicled by the creators of Beaver at Long Pond. As dawn breaks, the turtle crawls out of the log where he spent the night and heads for the pond. He passes the day searching for grapes and hunting worms. When a raccoon overturns the turtle and eats all of his worms, the turtle tries to catch grasshoppers and to find more grapes. He burrows into another nesting spot for the night. Magnificent gouache paintings depict a turtle's-eye view of the pond and the woods surrounding it. Small details of lichen, moss, pine needles, insects and headless worms are exquisitely rendered. Unfortunately, the text does not live up to the pictures; overly simple sentences relate pertinent information, but without much zip. Despite this drawback, the book is a lovely addition to a naturalist's library, for the information conveyed in the pictures. Ages 3-6. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

PreS-Gr 2-- A day in the life of a box turtle is rendered carefully in words and lifelike illustrations with a text that respects its subject, avoids any anthropomorphism, and is simple enough for very young listeners. It records the turtle's actions as, slowly but with perseverance, he drinks, searches for food, evades danger, and sleeps. The outstanding gouache paintings in borderless, horizontal two-page spreads are so realistic that one almost reaches out to feel the turtle's textured shell. Although at times the turtle seems to be camouflaged, blending into his surroundings, he stands out clearly once located. The animals he encounters are equally well illustrated--readers will almost hold their breath so as not to frighten the raccoon and chipmunk. The book's design is excellent; even the well-chosen type, superimposed on the illustrations so that there is no visual break from the scenes, is clear and easily read. This is superior nature study for young readers and listeners. --Louise L. Sherman, Anna C. Scott School, Leonia, NJ

School Library Journal