Rodney Was a Tortoise -- Nan Forler

This comforting and gently humorous picture book about bereavement and the strength of friendship shows how a child overcomes the sadness of her beloved pet's death.

Bernadette and Rodney are the best of friends. Rodney's not so good at playing cards, but he's great at staring contests. His favorite food is lettuce, though he eats it VERRRRRRY SLOOOOOWLY. And he's such a joker! When Bernadette goes to sleep at night, Rodney is always there, watching over her from his tank.

As the seasons pass, Rodney moves slower and slower, until one day he stops moving at all. Without Rodney, Bernadette feels all alone. She can't stop thinking about him, but none of her friends seem to notice. Except for Amar.

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.

Author: Nan Forler
Publisher: Tundra Books (NY)
Published: 02/15/2022
Pages: 40
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.00lbs
Size: 10.10h x 8.30w x 0.50d
ISBN: 9780735266629
Audience: Ages 4-8

Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 12/06/2021
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 02/01/2022
Booklist 02/01/2022 pg. 60
School Library Journal 03/01/2022 pg. 86
Horn Book Magazine 05/01/2022 pg. 121

About the Author
NAN FORLER is a writer and a teacher who lives in a house overflowing with music and books. She likes to write stories at an old wooden table in her kitchen, and some of those stories are made into books, such as Winterberries and Apple Blossoms, Bird Child and Trampoline Boy. Nan shares her home with her husband, her two children and a yorkie-poo named Alice. Nan is also the aunt of an ancient tortoise named Gus, who appears to have spent his entire life chewing on a single piece of lettuce.

YONG LING KANG is a freelance illustrator raised in Singapore and currently living in Toronto. She has worked in animation studios and a publishing company and has illustrated picture books including William's Getaway, Tanna's Owl and This House Is Home.