Tommy the Turtle has one BIG problem.

His shell.

It bumps into flowerpots. It scrapes beneath branches. It slows him down. And wherever Tommy goes, that enormous shell goes too!

Tommy has had enough.

His Little Sprouts friends try everything they can think of to help. They hide his shell beneath giant leaves. They cover it with flowers. But Tommy doesn't want to hide his shell or decorate it.

He just doesn't want it at all.

Then Grandpa Turtle helps Tommy look at things a little differently. And when a sudden rainstorm sends everyone scrambling for shelter, Tommy begins to discover something surprising about the shell he wishes he could change.

Maybe it isn't only something he has to carry.

Maybe it's strong. Maybe it's useful. Maybe it's part of what makes Tommy...Tommy.

Tommy the Turtle Who Hated His Shell is a warm, funny story about self-acceptance, confidence, embracing differences, and discovering that something that feels like a burden today may become a gift tomorrow.

Perfect for children ages 3-7, bedtime reading, preschool and elementary classrooms, and conversations about body confidence, differences, resilience, and recognizing our own unique strengths.

Little Critters - Big Lessons