Turtles

Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories

Yet more wisdom cast down from high atop Mt. Seuss, this cheerful trio of tales teaches some valuable lessons in humility--thanks to a sharp-eyed worm, a bragging bear and rabbit, a fuzzy-tailed bird, and a couple hundred turtles led by their foolish King Yertle.

Yertle's story leads off with his attempt to build a bigger kingdom on the backs of his loyal subjects (literally). King of everything he can see, Yertle orders his turtles to stack up under him to build a towering throne. ("He made each turtle stand on another one's back and he piled them all up in a nine-turtle stack.") But a plain little turtle named Mack--stuck at the bottom--decides he's had enough. ("I know up on top you are seeing great sights, but down on the bottom we, too, should have rights!")

Following Yertle's downfall, a whiny girl-bird named Gertrude McFuzz wishes she had two feathers, just like Miss Lolla-Lee-Lou: "One droopy-droop feather. That's all that she had. And, oh! That one feather made Gertrude so sad." But even when Gertrude gets her wish--and then some--she finds that vanity has its price. Meanwhile, in "The Big Brag," a proud rabbit and an even-prouder bear duke it out in a battle of the senses, arguing over who's the best of the beasts, only to get their clever comeuppance from a wild-eyed little worm. (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul Hughes

TO CELEBRATE THE 50th anniversary of the original 1958 publication of Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories, Random
House Children’s Books is proud to offer the classic edition in a special foil-covered limited party edition.

Dr. Seuss is, quite simply, the most beloved children’s book author in the world.

Franklin And The Thunderstorm (Franklin)

Franklin is afraid of thunderstorms. When a storm approaches while he is playing at Fox's house, a flash of lightning sends Franklin into his shell. He refuses to come out — even for snacks — until his friends make him laugh with their tall tales about what causes storms. And when Beaver explains what really causes thunder and lightning, Franklin begins to feel much safer.

Franklin Goes To The Hospital (Franklin)

Franklin's shell has cracked, and he needs to be a brave turtle when it's time to go to the hospital.

One Tiny Turtle: Read and Wonder

"Simple, lyrical words and bright, acrylic doublepage pictures convey the astonishing facts about the loggerhead sea turtle. . . . A powerful nature story for a young audience." —BOOKLIST

Far, far out at sea lives one of the world's most mysterious creatures, the loggerhead turtle. For thirty years she swims the oceans, wandering thousands of miles as she searches for food. Then, one summer night, she lands on a beach to lay her eggs — the very same beach where she herself was born. Nicola Davies's lyrical text offers fascinating information about the journey of the tiny, endangered loggerhead, while charming paintings by Jane Chapman vividly illustrate one turtle's odyssey.

Old Turtle and the Broken Truth

From the author of the award-winning legend of peace, Old Turtle, comes a soulful new tale about the wise old turtle who advocates listening to the "language of breezes...learning lessons from stones and animals and trees and stars." In this story, a truth falls from the stars, breaking in half when it lands. Crow, Fox, Coyote, and Raccoon, each pick up this piece of truth but discard it because of its rough edges and broken nature. But when a human being finds it, noting the words "You Are Loved" written on it, he and his people cherish it as their most important possession. Time passes, and jealousy, fear, and anger rise up in the people who hold this Great Truth, as well as in those who do not have it. The world begins to suffer. Finally, it's up to a little girl to seek understanding and a solution to the woes of the world.

Old Turtle and the Broken Truth's new age allegory is exquisitely wrought, in word and in picture. Douglas Wood's prose is the timeless language of fables, meshing perfectly with Jon Muth 's radiant watercolors for an experience anyone seven to one hundred and seven can appreciate. (All ages) --Emilie Coulter

Franklin Goes to School

Paulette Bourgeois. Illustrated by Brenda Clark. Join Franklin for his first day of school. Franklin the turtle is so nervous it feels like frogs are jumping in his stomach! By the time the day is over, he discovers just how much he loves to learn. Your young reader will love how her shelled friend copes with everyday experiences and concerns. 32 pages. Trim size 9.016" x 7.541".

Franklin Is Messy (Franklin)

Paulette Bourgeois, Illustrations Brenda Clark. When the mess in his room gets out of control, and he breaks a favorite toy, Franklin learns an important lesson about being neat.

Listen, Buddy

A hilarious romp about a bunny who just can't seem to listen. He is constantly confusing instructions. For example, when his parents ask for a slice of bread, he saws off a piece of his bed. But everything changes when he takes a wrong turn and meets up with Scruffy Varmint.

Franklin Rides a Bike

Franklin is determined to ride his bike without training wheels, and he can't understand why it seems so easy for his friends — or why it's so hard for him.

Franklins Classic Treasury, Volume I (Franklin)

Now, for the first time, four of the most beloved Franklin stories are available in one volume. The complete text and illustrations for Franklin in the Dark, Hurry Up, Franklin, Franklin Fibs and Franklin Is Bossy have been combined in a beautiful hardcover edition that is sure to become a family favourite. Perfect for gift giving or as an introduction to the bestselling series, FranklinÂ’s Classic Treasury will delight old fans and new.