An engaging informational picture book offers a comprehensive introduction to turtles in all their singularity. The narrative begins, naturally, with “the wonderful shell” and other basics of turtle anatomy and turtle type before covering characteristics and behaviors both common and unusual. An appealing section on extremes shines a spotlight on turtles of remarkable size and speed, turtles with unusually long necks or oddly flat bodies (the aptly named Snake-necked Turtle and Pancake Tortoise, respectively), and even the smelliest species. Sy Montgomery’s respect and admiration for turtles is evident throughout, with ample space devoted to the “many talents” of turtles: their ability to learn complex tasks, their surprising athleticism, and their hunting skills. “Today, 61 percent of all turtle species are dangerously declining—or are already extinct in the wild.” Fortunately, the narrative wraps up on a positive note, with ten ways that humans can help protect and advocate for turtles. Detailed, realistic acrylic paintings on clean, white backgrounds spotlight many species throughout. (Ages 5-9)

**A SIBERT HONOR BOOK! **

** A KIRKUS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR ** A BOOKLIST EDITORS' CHOICE OF THE YEAR **

From National Book Award finalist and New York Times bestseller Sy Montgomery comes an ode to one of the most diverse, fascinating, and beloved species on the planet: turtles. With dazzling illustrations and emotionally engaging, fact-filled text, this picture book will speak to the wisdom these long-lived animals can lend.

Everyone loves turtles. And no wonder: long-lived, unhurried, and ancient, these shelled reptiles are fascinating.

Turtles are also endlessly surprising. There are turtles with soft shells, turtles with googly eyes, turtles with necks longer than their bodies, and turtles whose shells glow in the dark!

And each turtle, of each of the more than 300 kinds, is an individual. You'll meet some of them here: Lonesome George, the last of his kind on Earth. And Myrtle, the 90-year-old green sea turtle who has more than 7,000 followers on Facebook.

What questions might you ask a turtle? You'll find many of the answers in this gorgeous compendium--and perhaps be inspired to help at a time when these reptiles, who evolved at the same time as the dinosaurs, face the deadliest dangers of their more than 380-million-year history.

Read more books by Sy Montgomery:

Becoming a Good CreatureThe Magnificent MigrationCondor ComebackThe Hyena ScientistThe Octopus ScientistsThe Great White Shark Scientist