Truman

Truman, written by Jean Reidy and illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins, is that rare picture book that’s both sweet and surprising (in a gentle, literary way). Truman is a turtle, and from his perspective, we see all of the details of his Sarah getting ready for her first day of school. The bow, the backpack, the extra food in his aquarium…it all leads to something he can’t quite figure out, so he starts the long journey out of his glass house and across the house.

I won’t ruin any endings for you (it’s sweet but not saccharine). But it’s an unusual and lovely book.