​And have I got the turtle for you: Truman! He’s peaceful and pensive and sweet and very, very brave. I LOVE this book! Here’s my review:

​Jean Reidy sets the stage with a description of who Truman is (and make no mistake—he is every bit as sweet as a donut!), where he lives, and with whom. Right away you know that Truman and Sarah have a very close relationship. So, one day, when Sarah gives Truman extra green beans, tells him to “be brave,” and leaves on the number 11 bus, it’s no surprise Truman chooses this day to break from his peaceful, pensive way of life and do something that seems impossible! This book takes on the first day of school with a whole new twist, and Lucy Ruth Cummins’ illustrations of Sarah, Truman, and Truman’s big adventure (from the perspective of someone the size of a donut), are the perfect complement to Jean Reidy’s text. If you want to read about turtles, donuts, green beans, city busses, being brave and big adventures, this book is for you!
 
Read this review on Goodreads and Amazon.

​I remember loving swim lessons, but my sister hated them! Here’s a story about a little girl who is more like my sister: 

​Every Saturday Lottie goes to swim lessons, but she has a problem: There’s a shark hiding in the swimming pool waiting to eat her! She’s not getting into that pool. But when a special Saturday is approaching—one with a pool party—Walter the walrus appears. He & Lottie become fast friends and he helps Lottie to find her courage. The illustrations in this book are oh, so sweet—soft, watercolors that are perfect for a pool-setting, and subtly expressive characters. This story is heart-warming and relatable, whether or not you’ve ever feared swim lessons. Everyone has had to face a fear, and Lottie does just that, with help from her imagination and a friend. I fell in love with Lottie & Walter, and I think you will too!
 
Read this review on Goodreads and Amazon.

Do you ever feel like running away from home? How about hopping into a spaceship and going to the moon? That’s what Sophia does in this clever, touching epistolary story:

​Sophia is unhappy. So unhappy, she decides to run away. To the moon. Don’t worry—she stays in touch with her mom by writing letters home. Luckily, there’s mail on the moon, so her mom can write back (and even send cookies). Anica Mrose Rissi’s story is brilliantly told in letters that begin with Sophia living happily on the moon with no time-outs and no bedtimes. But, eventually (spoiler alert) Sophie’s letters change to show that she might be missing a few things from home like bedtime stories and hugs from Mom. This sweet story includes kid-relatable situations and emotions, letter writing, Mika Song’s beautiful illustrations (including a surprise under the book jacket and cute end papers), rocket ships, cows jumping over the moon, and even cookies and milk. I’m over the moon about this book!
 
Read this review on Goodreads and Amazon.