Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back

Customer Reviews:

Delightful.......2002-03-08

I was fortunate to hear the author speak in the early 90s in my hometown of Syracuse, NY. He is an engaging storyteller. It was then that I discovered his book. The artwork in this edition is rich and appealing. The vignettes of each moon, combined with the illustrations, make an appealing canvas for young and/or exploring minds.

Traditional View of Seasonal meanings.......2000-06-08

This book is an excellent work of Native American children's literature. Joseph Bruchac is a well-known Abenaki story-teller who profiles in this book the thirteen moons of the year, and profiles for each moon what is important about that season to different Native Nations. The artwork is a beautiful compliment to the story. If you are looking for a solid and sensitive look at inter-tribal stories for children, this is a great place to start!

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Full Moon Stories

Full Moon Stories
Eagle-Walking Turtle
Manufacturer: Hyperion
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0786821752

Customer Reviews:

Full Moon Stories.......2000-04-29

This book of stories is a rare treat to read. I couldn't get onto the next story fast enough. With each tale I was pulled straight into the home and at the knees of the storyteller, Grandpa Iron. I "became" one of his grandchildren, smudged by the cedar, leaning forward to hear every detail of the story about horse, moose, mole, swallow, and the nine other animals, one for each poetically descriptive Full Moon of the year such as "Moon of the Popping Trees" in December with turtle. I, like Grandpa Iron's grandchildren, relish and believe the stories! How hard it must have been for the children to wait one whole month for each new story.

I love the illustrations, both paintings and colored pencil drawings. They convey the character and movement of the animals so well. The colors are bright and entrancing; and the symbols painted on the animals are intriguing. They look so like the pictographs I have seen painted on hides in museums and reproduced from ledger books. There are stars, moon, lightning, mountains, the sun, and other ones which are yet a mystery to me.

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful!.......2007-02-24

This is one of my favorite stories of all time. If you haven't read this yet, do it now, you won't regret it.

Unforgettable.......2006-10-30

I first read this novel when it was published in 1992 and have reread it periodically. It never fails to cast its spell. Hoffman is a writer of great subtlety. It is easy to gobble up her books but, if you do, you miss much of their charm. The clarity of her prose and her talent for hovering on the edge of the magical is so perfectly balanced that you find yourself taking the most impossible occurrences for granted.

I love Hoffman's men. She has a delicious way of creating very tough, almost brutal men who are, none the less, irresistible. In Julian Cash she has created the most tantalizing character so far. He, and Stephen of "Second Nature" remain my favorite Hoffman men. Julian is a haunted man with a bit of a chip on his shoulder who only needs the right sort of woman.... and Lucy proves to be that woman.

I am not a fan of "romance" in the contemporary sense of the word. But this is classic romance. Julian reminded me for some bizarre reason of Mr. Rochester in "Jane Eyre" --- gruff and impossible and just dying to be loved. Now, that's a compelling hero!

After - maybe a dozen or so! - rereadings.......2006-03-30

this book remains one of my all time favorite novels.
It has held up on train trips, bus rides, even reading aloud to my husband on a road trip (which by the way, I love to take and he's not so fond of) thus keeping him entertained & happy.
I don't remember how or where I first found it, & have now gone through several copies, but it was a lovely introduction to the extensive writings of Alice Hoffman, with whom I am sure, were we to actually meet, I would be fast friends!

Entertaining but unbelievable.......2006-02-13

Our book club, located on the North Shore of Long Island (which is NOT depicted very favorably), chose this book for February 2006. It was an easy read, an enjoyable read. (2 points in my book!) However, I found the plot, characters, and development of both highly unbelievable-but maybe in fiction one suspends ALL disbelief...? To me, this suspension was overwhelming. I enjoyed the book, but on later introspection found so MANY loose ends....These loose ends hampered my love of the story. Albeit, Turtle Moon is very well written, entertaining and a dedecent read. Alot better than most of the schlock that is out there....
I guess that sometimes one must suspend one's disbelief and just go along for the ride and the hope that one will will enjoy the mysticism of a turtle moon, or a full moon, at that.

Simple tale, not all that impressive........2005-09-28

After reading Practical Magic, a book I thoroughly enjoyed, I went ahead and picked up Turtle Moon, expecting another entertaining read. Turtle Moon ended up being a disappointment.

The story is rather simple and, as another reviewer mentioned, reads mostly like a combination romance/mystery novel and comprises mainly superficial characters, who aren't developed far enough to create any impression.

The part involving the individual who is discovered to be guilty of the crime has a history with another character and this is utterly unbelievable. What are the chances? The coincidences amoung the characters seem so unlikely that I felt that these happenings were merely created to make a more easy to write, shorter, less complex story. Very convenient for the author.

On a plus, the story reads VERY fast, so whether or not one enjoys the book, it'll be over in a few days!

Average customer rating:

One of the best....
A new Stephanie Lisa Tara fan
I'll Follow the Moon
A soothing bedtime read!
A Mum's Favorite

I'll Follow the Moon
Stephanie Lisa Tara
Manufacturer: Brown Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Turtles | Animals | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1933285133

Book Description

On a quiet moonlit beach, a baby green sea turtle stirs from a dream of home. Slowly, slowly with a tap, click, crack, the baby turtle embarks upon a mysterious nighttime journey. Gentle tender verse and enchanting illustrations carry this tranquil tale from sand to sea.

Stephanie's first book, I'll Follow the Moon comforts children with its soothing tone and melodic repetition.

Customer Reviews:

One of the best...........2007-01-30

This is one of the best children's books I have ever read! My [...] son, who loves turtles, is inpired to read with this book. Stephanie Lisa brilliantly incorporates the adventure of a baby sea turle hatchng from his egg to his trip into the sea, all the while following the moon to find his mother. The illustrations are beautiful. A must read!

A new Stephanie Lisa Tara fan.......2006-07-27

A neighbor sent me the link to this author's website and I immediately became entranced with her style, it is unique, captivating and totally engaging - my kids (5, 6 and 8) LOVE it! I sent the web site link to all my friends - everyone adores her books, they are fun, inspirational and this mom wants to put the word out for others: With the oversaturated, overabundant children's picture book market, why not choose books with sweet, thoughtful and positive messages?! It helps us moms do our jobs better! From one mom to another - thanks Stephanie Lisa Tara!

I'll Follow the Moon.......2006-05-09

I stumbled across this book quite by accident, and I found it to be a treasure. The verse is lovely and calm, as are the illustrations. It also depicts fairly accurately a remarkable natural phenomenon. As a new mom who longed for a child for many years and eventually adopted internationally, I found the symbolism achingly beautiful. I have since given the book to several friends who have also waited for their children to find them. This book is far too beautiful to be limited to the adoption genre, however. It is very meaningful on a number of different levels!

A soothing bedtime read!.......2005-12-02

All children want to have security, and they love animals. I'll Follow the Moon by Stephanie Lisa Tara is about both.

On a serene, quiet sandy beach a baby sea turtle breaks free from its egg and begins the journey to find home and mother, all the while saying, "I'm coming, Mama, I'll see you soon. I know just how...I'll follow the moon." And follow the moon to Mama is exactly what the baby sea turtle does.

The simple words and gentle rhythm makes this a wonderful bedtime story. It is soothing and subtly conveys the message that Mother will be there for the child. The watercolor illustrations are solid, yet soft. They beautifully portray the beach and sky in an inviting way that adds to the soothing nature of the book.

Armchair Interviews says: Not only is this a wonderful story for parents to read to their little ones, but it is a book that grandparents will welcome as they care for their grandchildren. I'll Follow the Moon can help them assure their beloved grandchildren that their parent's absence is temporary. It is a lovely book that will be read and reread.

A Mum's Favorite.......2005-11-08

I am a mum and I must say to everyone who reads this, that this tale is just exceptional. I cant read it without a tear slipping down my cheek, my twin three year olds adore it. There is something so genuine about the rhythm, the pictures, the message. I read an American review on the book that spoke of the light of a mother's love being ever present for her children. Just beautiful. Tops. Looking for more titles from this lovely author.

The Turtle and the Moon (Picture Puffins)

Average customer rating:

Utterly enchanting
Finding Comfort When Alone
Such a wonderful, wonderful picture book!
a gorgeous tapestry of words and color, peace and ecstasty

The Turtle and the Moon (Picture Puffins)
Charles Turner
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0140558128

Customer Reviews:

Utterly enchanting.......2005-05-27

Wonderful artwork, a simple flowing narrative, and a charming little turtle that you cannot help but like and sympathize with, makes this book one of the finest childrens' books I have come across in quite some time. The theme of loneliness & the solace of companionship should warm the heart of anyone who reads this.

Finding Comfort When Alone.......2000-04-26

This is a beautiful tale about finding comfort and a sense of well-being when one feels alone. Parents tell me that this book is a favorite of all the children I have given it to as gifts. The narrative style and the simple water-colors lend a sense of poignancy to this story of a turtle and his new-found, reliable friend. This is sensitive story-telling at its best in children's literature.

Such a wonderful, wonderful picture book!.......2000-01-28

This book is so lovely! Incredibly simple, and appropriate for any age, but spell-binding and beautiful. The illustrations are spectacular, and the story is gentle and quietly sweet.

I only wish it were more readily available, so I could give it as gifts to every new baby I know...

a gorgeous tapestry of words and color, peace and ecstasty.......1997-08-06

One of the most beautiful children's books around, "The Turtle and the Moon" is such a quiet, gentle offering among recent children's literature, that it seems to have been largely unnoticed. A shame, because the splendidly lyric paintings and mellifluous prose blend together in a such dreamlike, languidly lifelike story that both parents and children, the storytellers and the story-rapt, find themselves utterly intrigued.

Discovery, friendship, creativity, providence, nature, imagination, loyalty and joy shine gloriously through on every page, while the simplicity of the story of a solitary turtle finding new worlds in his every day is one that any child can understand and love.

Book Description

A rocking narrative ballad with an upswing tropical beat and an upbeat message about friendship and a child's deep bond with nature, this new edition of Follow the Moon is sure to delight another generation of children. A newly hatched sea turtle, whose instinct is to "follow the moon" to find the ocean, is drawn instead by a glittering mirrored ball in a crowded dance club. He is rescued by a young boy who helps him learn to listen to the voice inside his head.

Customer Reviews:

Great book - love the CD!.......2007-01-03

My son (and his daycare class) LOVE this book, especially with the CD. (It is kind of catchy.) Highly recommend.

Follow the Moon Book and CD.......2006-04-02

This is a wonderful story- so many children i have shared it with have asked to hear it again and again. I have found this book to be a lovely way to metaphor more difficult times and choices in ones adult life. such as keeping your focus on the true light (Jesus/God) and not being distracted. I have recommended it to many. The CD is beautiful- altho the singer's voice is a little strange at the beginning you will find yourself thinking no one else could have done it justice at the end. enjoy and share it with many.

Kids love this story when I read it to them!.......2001-01-23

I found this book at the Natural History Museum (Smithsonian) in Washington, D.C. I first noticed the hadsome boy on the cover and then decided to see what the story was about. It is an excellent story about a kid who cares about animals and nature. It is a cute story of the boy protecting a baby turtle from harm. He is a good protector of this turtle until it finds safety by "following the moon". I read this story to the children in my YMCA school program and they loved every moment. It definately kept their attention.

Beautiful illustration!.......2000-01-11

I'm just VERY impressed by the illustration. Incredible! Story line depicts faithfulness and freindship

A beautiful story for all ages.......1999-07-31

This book was purchased for my class science library. My students instantly fell in love with it and it was one of the year's favorites. I have shared it with colleagues and gotten the same reaction. It's simply lovely!

Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back ( a native american year of moons)

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Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back ( a native american year of moons)
Michael J. Rosen
Manufacturer: Tandem Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: School & Library Binding

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0613035879

Average customer rating:

Hare and tortoise Race to the Moon
Librarian's delight!
Your kid will love this book!
"Super-Duper"!

Hare and Tortoise Race to the Moon
Oliver J. Corwin
Manufacturer: Harry N. Abrams
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Turtles | Animals | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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Picture Books | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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There's No Place Like Space: All About Our Solar System (Cat in the Hat's Lrning Libry)

ASIN: 0810905663

Book Description

Aesop's fable "The Hare and the Tortoise" is given a space-age spin in this 21st-century retelling. Hare's spaceship is slick, shiny, and super-duper fast. His buddy Tortoise's rinky-dink homemade rocket is putt-putt slow. Can slow and steady win the race when Tortoise challenges his speedy-but easily distracted-best friend to a race to the moon? It's a space race like no other!

Customer Reviews:

Hare and tortoise Race to the Moon.......2004-01-03

My grandchildren loved the storyline and the illustrations. Very clever of the author to take an aseop tale and create such an ingenous contemporary version. The moral of the story, friends are so important, sends a great message for kids. My husband and I also thought the illustrations were delightful. Can't wait to send Mr. Corwin's next children's book to our grandkids. Hope he has another on the drawing board soon.

Librarian's delight!.......2003-01-12

Wow, do I disagree with School Library Journal's review where it says this is not a necessary addition to a collection! Obviously that librarian does not read aloud to children very much! I have shared this title with over sixty schoolchildren and it never fails to elicit cheers. It goes beyond the moral of "slow but sure" and extends into the theme of friendship, a subject of interest to every child. The illustrations are bold and snazzy. Overall, this book was a real pleasure to share with primary children. I hope there will be more by this author/illustrator. if this debut is any indication, he's really headed for the stars!

Your kid will love this book!.......2003-01-06

My 16 month old daughter is still too young to appreciate the story line of this book, but she really gets into the illustrations, which are excellent. Actually, these pictures would make a fabulous coloring book (take note, Abrams!) Older kids will also get a big kick out of the sound effects and fun wording of the text!

"Super-Duper"!.......2002-09-24

I am a mother of a five year old boy and three year old girl and this book was great for the both of them. My son loved the race and space theme. My daughter loved the whimiscal illustrations. They both loved the words like Vroom, putt-putt, slowpoke, and of course superduper. Best of all they realized even though they were in a race trying to beat each other to finish they cared for each other. I think the Aesop's fable of staying focused is right on course with this modern retelling to reach children. We loved it -illustratons and story!!

Bath Buddies: Little Turtle (Bath Buddies)

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Bath Buddies: Little Turtle (Bath Buddies)

Manufacturer: Campbell Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Board book

General | Baby-3 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1405052945

Book Description

Fun bathtime books that wont float away! A perfect distraction at bathtime! Meet a fish with shimmering scales, a little crab with snappy pincers, a smooth dolphin, a feathery seagull and a slithery jellyfish. Then, look! Its Little Turtle with his shiny shell. Babies and toddlers will love splashing around with these bright, colourful books with shaped covers. With their special sucker to attach to the bath, they wont float away either. These lovely characters will provide plenty of watery fun!

Blue Turtle Moon Queen (Water Children Series)

Average customer rating:

Delightful - Delightful - Delightful!

Blue Turtle Moon Queen (Water Children Series)
Elihu Blotnick
Manufacturer: Firefall Editions
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

General | Books on CD | Audiobooks | Formats | Books

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ASIN: 0915090929

Book Description

A san Francisco story of brothers and sisters, during the drought, told by a ten year old girl, who finds herself, in her new home. (ages 6-13)

Read by Plum Butter, an eleven year old herself, on two CDs.

Customer Reviews:

Delightful - Delightful - Delightful!.......2002-11-13

This little tale is, in a word, delightful! There is an sweet and very evocative charm in the narration (by a very talented 11-year old, no less.) This story is fun and instructive, and I, and my child, enjoyed it together. It will please your child, but also has enough to offer that any adult within earshot won't have to suffer the rigors and tortures of the "Barney" or "Pokeman" style. Highly recommended!

Book Description

Once tbe five elements -- Earth, Wind, Air, Fire and Spirit -- were One, when five gifted people joined their magical talents into One. When these five forces -- embodied by three men and two women -- are Blended, they are the ultimate power against the evil that threatens their world. But there is one weapon against which they cannot fight...betrayal.

Betrayals

On a world of magical adepts, the five greatest talents are fated to unite and rule. But Tamrissa, Jovvi, Vallant, Rion, and Lorand have been cruelly separated, struck down by treachery at the very moment of their greatest triumph.

Scattered across a vast empire, the five heroes must escape their prisons and find each other again. For only then will they be able to re-create their Blending, that magical melding of their powers that will allow them to defeat their enemies...and win the path to a throne.

Customer Reviews:

Where's Sharon Green's Editor So I Can KILL Them?.......2004-07-26

Let me give you a little background. When I first bought these books I was probably thirteen or so and remember thinking they were just the keenest thing ever. Looking back, I think my little thirteen-year-old self was either far more patient then I am now, or I just enjoyed the soft-core, romance novel porn passages. Whichever.

Anyway, remembering how much I loved them I decided to go back and read them recently. I promised myself I would read every single one of the damn things. Every. Single. One.

Problem one: This could have been one book. Honestly. One. Heck, I'll be exceedingly kind and say that maybe you'd need two to completely round out the story. There are FIVE. Want to know why? Picture a scene. Character one tells character two that, say, "Blue Monkeys are attacking", except, you know, in a few pages, moralizing endlessly about the place of the blue monkey in society. Character three enters the room and character one and two tell her about the blue monkeys, again, in a few pages. Character three then goes into the garden and tells character four about the blue monkeys. While I admitt no blue monkey's actually appear in this book, every problem or idea brought up by a character is passed around this way. It's insane.

Problem two: The pep-talks. There are a lot of them. They drag. You dread them. You start to wish that someone would loose hope and no one else would give a damn.

Problem three: The sex scenes that my thirteen- year- old-self enjoyed so much are laughably bad. No one has the proper bits, instead they both have "sexes". Which causes quite a bit of confusion over who's doing what to who. The good guy sex is always mind-blowing and fantastic, and the bad-guy sex is kinky and evil, which bring us to...

Problem four: Most of the villains. I admit to having a soft-spot for the challenging blending, villain wise. But everyone else might as well have pasted on a twirly black mustache and kicked some puppies. If you're a member of the aristocracy you range from deeply unpleasant to totally evil. The villians usually show how evil they are through lusting after the heroes and wanting to have that kinky, evil sex with them. After the third or so villian taking this route it becomes ridiculous.

There is good here, the four main characters are interesting for, at least, the duration of the first book. The magic and world-building are good and the cover art is exceedingly pretty. My advice, buy the first one and assume everything works out all right, make up your own ending, just don't try to slog through the whole series.

Pretty good.......2001-07-31

Tamrissa, Jovvi, Vallant, Lorand and Rion have lost the competitions which they were about to win. They are seperated and the five find that are drugged and seperated from each other. With the help of Naran, Tamrissa goes off to help free the rest of her Blending members.

Meanwhile the nobility Blending is starting to get out of control. Delin's manical tendency and desire to kill is starting to cause trouble with the advisors whom disapprove of the fact that it is not Adriari's group that is seated on the throne and suspect Delin of killing Ollon Kampar.

On a personal note: The plot is quite intriguing and has been what has keep me interested, however the speech and terminology used seemed a bit out of sync with the era.

Betrayals, The Boring.......2001-01-04

The first book in the series started out great. The second book was not so great. The third book was downright bad. This one is simply poor. There seems to be a trend recently in SciFI and Fantasy to write more and longer pieces regardless of quality, just to collect more royalties. Unfortunately, this does not lend itself to good writing, and good writing is what science fiction and fantasy are about.

Betrayals: Book 4 of the Blending.......2001-01-04

I love this author. Sharon Green writes a wonderful fantasy story. I would recommend all of her books to anyone, if you like fantasy.

Different Style.......2000-01-15

I have read the first four books in the Blending series, and although there are certain things about them that I dislike, I still seem to be driven to read the next one. I think it's because there are some unanswered questions from the first one. I am reading the last book in the series now, and I hope those questions are answered. I do like Ms. Green's type of magic, though. Her books are definitely different from other types of fantasty. I sometimes get the impression I am reading one of those Victorian romance novels.

The Blending, (Convergence, Competitions, Challenges, Betrayals, Prophecy, Volume 1, 2 , 3 , 4, 5 Book one two three four five)

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The Blending, (Convergence, Competitions, Challenges, Betrayals, Prophecy, Volume 1, 2 , 3 , 4, 5 Book one two three four five)
Sharon Green
Manufacturer: Harper/Collins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000Q9N0SY

Product Description

They are the five greatest talents on a beleaguered world of magical adepts-and its only hope for salvation. But first Lorand, Rion, Tamrissa, Jovi, and Vallant must prove themselves to be the Chosen Five of the ancient Prophecies. Which means they must first compete in a series of deadly contests designed to reveal the full scope of their powers...and place them at the center of a corrupt nobiity's lethal schemes. And there are those who wish them to fail. But defeat is unthinkable...because failure is doom.

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