RODNEY WAS A TORTOISE
Rodney Was a Tortoise is a moving story about friendship and loss. It shows the importance of expressing kindness and empathy, especially in life's most difficult moments.
Illustrated by Yong Ling Kang
Published by Penguin Random House
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“A tale of grief over losing a precious pet that hits just the right note of optimism for the future.”
— School Library Journal
★ STARRED REVIEW, The Horn Book
“There are lots of picture books about death and lots about the death of a pet, but please make way for this one … because it is honest in every way and conveys tremendous respect for children .... At the core of this emotionally compelling tale is Forler’s reverence for the inner lives of children and the intense feelings that accommodate such loss.”
— Julie Danielson, Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast
“The firm directness here makes this more an authentic exploration of grief than an assured comfort, and the focus on Bernadette's ongoing sorrow, especially as it contrasts with the bustle of an ongoing world, will resonate with readers who have suffered a recent loss or are still mourning one long past.”
Activity Pages
Download a printable activity page and discussion questions about Rodney Was a Tortoise, here.
