periparaparasakura's review
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
lovelyliterary's review
4.0
This is probably the most beautiful yet melancholy children’s book I’ve ever read. The illustrations were beautiful, as was the story.
pib003's review
5.0
How have I not read a book like this before? This story perfectly encapsulates the feeling of loneliness during grief, and what choices we make to cope. It also demonstrates how those with common grief can support and find connection with each other. This would be a great resource for caregivers if/when their child loses a pet.
drcopeland's review against another edition
4.0
This book was simple, and it was perfect. It was a great way to address a challenging topic. Often, we forget how much pain a child could feel over the loss of a pet. Sometimes, all they need is for someone to acknowledge that their pain is valid, real, and understood. This is a great story that parents can use to open up the discussion of The loss of a pet, either one that has already passed or for future pets they may get. The illustrations are beautiful and match that story well, and they also allow room for discussion by asking questions using the pictures to draw them out even further. I do wish they would have had more of a conversation and interaction with the one boy at school who acknowledged her loss.
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this lovely book!
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this lovely book!
babyleo's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death
sassychortle's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
This is such a tender story about grief and how it feels to see the world move on when your world is shattered by losing someone. A friend shows Bernadette such empathy in the end, expressing a beautiful way to be with someone grieving. A they play Crokinole! It's a great game that I've never seen in a story before!
kindredbooks's review
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
I received a copy of Rodney was a Tortoise by Nan Forler and illustrated by Yong Ling Kang from Penguin Random House Canada in exchange for an honest review.
Rodney was a Tortoise is a beautiful and touching story about Bernadette and her pet tortoise, Rodney. The two are best friends but Rodney slowly starts to fade as he gets older and older. When he dies, Bernadette is inconsolable as she watches the rest of the world move on. She, however, is unable to move on and retreats within herself as no one seems to notice or care that her best friend is gone. Until a friend from school, Amar, reaches out to show that he remembers Rodney and that he once had a budgie named Samuel. This is sure to be a moving story that touches upon such a sensitive topic especially for young children who may also be learning about death through their loved pets.
There are not a lot of picture books that deal with grief and Rodney was a Tortoise touches upon this topic in a beautiful, moving, and sensitive way. It focuses on the joy that friendships can bring to one's life - and also the ways that grief may affect a young individual.
Rodney was a Tortoise is a beautiful and touching story about Bernadette and her pet tortoise, Rodney. The two are best friends but Rodney slowly starts to fade as he gets older and older. When he dies, Bernadette is inconsolable as she watches the rest of the world move on. She, however, is unable to move on and retreats within herself as no one seems to notice or care that her best friend is gone. Until a friend from school, Amar, reaches out to show that he remembers Rodney and that he once had a budgie named Samuel. This is sure to be a moving story that touches upon such a sensitive topic especially for young children who may also be learning about death through their loved pets.
There are not a lot of picture books that deal with grief and Rodney was a Tortoise touches upon this topic in a beautiful, moving, and sensitive way. It focuses on the joy that friendships can bring to one's life - and also the ways that grief may affect a young individual.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Grief