Jean Reidy has a solid backlist of titles behind her - favorites of my young readers are her earliest trilogy, Too Purpley! Too Pickley! and Too Princessy! and in this book she creates a solid story for Cummins to illustrate in her own inimitable style.
Truman is a tortoise, a sweet little tortoise the size of a doughnut. He lives with Sarah in a city, high above the traffic, and enjoys his quiet life with her very much. But one day, things change. Sarah, who has straight black hair and lightly tan skin, puts on new clothes, a big backpack, gives Truman extra treats, and after telling him to be brave... she leaves!
Looking out the window, Truman sees Sarah boarding the bus that roars beneath their window and after waiting and worrying, decides that he must go after her, even though he is a very small tortoise and the city is very big and frightening.Truman makes a slow but determined journey across the apartment, finally arriving at the front door... just as Sarah returns home. Truman happily greets her and is returned to his cage, to dream of traveling together with Sarah to school.
Cummins' art is a gentle accompaniment to this sweet story, showing the contrast of a busy city below and the quiet haven of the peaceful apartment above. Truman is small and determined, and the perspective shifts that show how daunting the empty apartment is for him are perfect, and will resonate in the minds of small children who are getting ready for a new adventure, like school.
Verdict: A quiet but powerful book, perfect for shy children who need a little boost in their confidence and for anyone who loves tiny turtles, as small and sweet as a doughnut.
ISBN: 9781534416642; Published July 2019 by Atheneum; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library
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