Truman

Ages 4 to 8, Grades P to 3

An NPR Favorite Book of 2019

A New York Times Best Children’s book of 2019

A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of 2019

A School Library Journal Best Picture Book of 2019

"An enchanting tale of bravery, heroism, and undying devotion." —The New York Times Book Review

After his best friend Sarah leaves for her first day of school, a tortoise named Truman goes on an adventure across the living room and learns to be brave in this thoughtful and heartwarming twist on a first experience story.

Truman the tortoise lives with his Sarah, high above the taxis and the trash trucks and the number eleven bus, which travels south. He never worries about the world below…until one day, when Sarah straps on a big backpack and does something Truman has never seen before. She boards the bus!

Truman waits for her to return.

He waits.

And waits.

And waits.

And when he can wait no longer, he knows what he must do.

Even if it seems…impossible!

About the Author

Jean Reidy once lived high above honking taxis, growling trash trucks, shrieking cars, and, of course, buses traveling in every direction. And she might like to again someday. But for now, she writes from her home in Colorado, right across the street from her neighborhood library, which she loves. Her fun, lively, and award-winning picture books have earned their spots as favorites among readers and listeners of all ages. Admittedly, she’s never had a tortoise…but over the years she has resided with a not-so-well-behaved assortment of turtles, parakeets, lizards, goldfish, hamsters, and even one feisty fire-bellied toad. Visit Jean online at JeanReidy.com.

Lucy Ruth Cummins is an author, an illustrator, and an art director of children’s books. Her debut picture book, A Hungry Lion, or A Dwindling Assortment of Animals, was a finalist for the Governor General’s Award, an Irma Black Honor Book, and an ALA Notable Book. She is also the author-illustrator of Stumpkin. As a little girl, she had a turtle for a pet, but he ran away. Really. She lives with her little family in Brooklyn, New York.