Congratulations to Danielle Hammelef who won The Voice that Won the Vote from last week’s blog.
Memoirs of a Tortoise (Sleeping Bear Press, 2020) is a clever and heart-warming book written by Devin Scillian and beautifully illustrated by Tim Bowers. Young readers will follow a year in the life of Oliver, an 80-year-old tortoise, whose “pet” is his fellow senior citizen, Ike. It is a book about friendship, aging, and taking time to enjoy the world around us.
REVIEW
April
It’s a glorious day and Ike just brought me a plate of lettuce and dandelions and a bright, crunchy apple.Ike is my pet. I love Ike. And Ike loves me. He runs his hand across my shell and tells me so.This, this is life and it’s beautiful.
May
Ike throws a stick and says, “Oliver, fetch!” But we just laugh because we both know I’m not chasing a silly stick. We do this every day.
Oliver ambles across the garden to enjoy the hibiscus. He remembers his mother telling him, “The whole world is in a hurry. They miss so much.”
July
“… this is my favorite time of all, just me and Ike and this beautiful garden. How long can we sit here? How about forever?”
October
When Oliver sees sad people come to Ike’s home, he realizes that Ike is gone and decides to visit his 137-year-old mother. But it’s a long walk to her garden and Oliver has to cross ten gardens to get to her. Finally, he sees her wide smile and sparkly eyes.
February
“Why do we have to lose people? Why couldn’t Ike stay with me?”Mother smiles. She closes her eyes and raises her head to the sun.“We only get to have pets in our lives for a little while, she says. They don’t live as long as we do. So we have to enjoy them every day.”
April
“I’m so glad you came home, Oliver. It’s you and me now.”
GIVEAWAY
So cute – enter me!!
What a wonderful and poignant story.
Thanks Tricia and Susan. Your names start the list!
What a wonderful story. A gentle way to talk about death with children. Thanks for sharing, Carole.
You're right, Lois. And You're in.
Oh my goodness! This post almost brought me to tears! I love all of Devin Scillian and Tim Bower's Memoir books, but this one seems especially wonderful.
Oh, my! Thanks for sharing these lovely excerpts. Sounds like a great book to read with my 6- year-old granddaughter!Conniecps1950(at)gmail(dot)comHappy Thanksgiving!
Good to hear from both of you, Becky and Connie. You're in!
I watch Devin Scillian every week night on our local NBC news. I knew he was a singer/song writer, but wasn't aware he was also such a talented author!! This beautiful book is now the second picture book to make me cry (even though you only posted excerpts). Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
Nice illustrations and story! So honored to get to see the amazing work of others.
Tortoises are my favorite.turtle6422 at gmail dot com
With “turtle” as a part of your email address, I guess they are, Jana Leah. You, Theresa, and Danielle are all in!
What a wonderful story! I'd love to win a copy for my grandson, Mazen, whose favorite toy animal is Lonesome George, created in honor of the famous Galapagos tortoise.
You're in, Barbara!
Thank you for sharing a wonderful story.
Dear Carol,This is such a cool story with wonderful illustrations. Thank you for sharing it!Happy Thanksgiving to you and your readers!Never Give UpJoan
Thanks, Joan. I assume you want your name in the hat for this one?
Another adorable story and fantastic illustrations! Hope you and the family had a super TG holiday.Fondly, Hewi Mason
Thanks, Hewi. You just got in under the wire! Drawing a name soon!
So cute – enter me!!
What a wonderful and poignant story.
Thanks Tricia and Susan. Your names start the list!
What a wonderful story. A gentle way to talk about death with children. Thanks for sharing, Carole.
You're right, Lois. And You're in.
Oh my goodness! This post almost brought me to tears! I love all of Devin Scillian and Tim Bower's Memoir books, but this one seems especially wonderful.
Oh, my! Thanks for sharing these lovely excerpts. Sounds like a great book to read with my 6- year-old granddaughter!Conniecps1950(at)gmail(dot)comHappy Thanksgiving!
Good to hear from both of you, Becky and Connie. You're in!
I watch Devin Scillian every week night on our local NBC news. I knew he was a singer/song writer, but wasn't aware he was also such a talented author!! This beautiful book is now the second picture book to make me cry (even though you only posted excerpts). Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
Nice illustrations and story! So honored to get to see the amazing work of others.
Tortoises are my favorite.turtle6422 at gmail dot com
With “turtle” as a part of your email address, I guess they are, Jana Leah. You, Theresa, and Danielle are all in!
What a wonderful story! I'd love to win a copy for my grandson, Mazen, whose favorite toy animal is Lonesome George, created in honor of the famous Galapagos tortoise.
You're in, Barbara!
Thank you for sharing a wonderful story.
Dear Carol,This is such a cool story with wonderful illustrations. Thank you for sharing it!Happy Thanksgiving to you and your readers!Never Give UpJoan
Thanks, Joan. I assume you want your name in the hat for this one?
Another adorable story and fantastic illustrations! Hope you and the family had a super TG holiday.Fondly, Hewi Mason
Thanks, Hewi. You just got in under the wire! Drawing a name soon!