Old Turtle
by Douglas Wood, Cheng-Khee Chee
Product Description:
When all of creation--trees, stones, ants, the sky, fish—-begins arguing
over who or what God is, quiet Old Turtle is the only one who has the
wisdom and ability to see beyond herself to capture the essence. The
debate escalates until Old Turtle finally speaks: "STOP!" She accepts
and incorporates the beliefs of all the creatures: "God is indeed deep,"
she says to the fish in the sea, "and much higher than high," she tells
the mountains. "God is gentle and powerful. Above all things and within
all things... God IS." Old Turtle, after silencing the crowds with her
understanding, makes a prediction about the appearance of a new "family
of beings" in the world. These beings, human beings, do appear, and soon
are fighting among themselves over the nature of God. It is only when
people start listening to the mountains and winds and stones and stars
that they actually begin to hear--and to heal the earth. A graceful
fable, with elegant, dreamlike watercolors by illustrator Cheng-Khee
Chee, Douglas Wood's modern-day classic makes a hushed but strong
environmental statement, as well as a plea for universal acceptance.
(Ages 5 and older)
A classic to own or give as a gift....,
June 13, 2000
Reviewer: Friendly Spirit (Yellow Springs, Ohio USA)
This is a book worth having, if only for the stunning artwork by
Illustrator Cheng-Khee Chee. But in addition to the artwork, the story
is one that is ideal for young and old. In this story, the world begins
as a beautiful place, filled with luscious trees and colorful plants and
flowers, stuffed with a wide variety of strange and exotic creatures.
They begin talking, then discussing, then arguing over who God is.
Before they come to blows, Old Turtle offers her wisdom and view of the
future. There is peace until God adds people to the earthly creatures,
and they (we) go through the same argument - whose definition of God is
the accurate or better one? The people argue, hurt each other, wars
break out (stop me if you've heard this one!). Old Turtle comes to the
rescue again. Diversity, God as in all of us - a wonderful book, and
absolutely worth having or giving in hardcover.
This Is One Outstanding Book! Extraordinary!, April 27, 2004
Reviewer: Barbara Rose (Borntoinspire.Com, USA, Editor, inspire!
Magazine)
I still have this amazingly and beautifully illustrated story book in
hard cover with the "1993 ABBY Book of the Year Children's Book Award"
gold sticker on the front. This book is a priceless gem that I have read
to my children countless times.
Douglas Wood's phenomenal writing teaches us about honoring the
diversities among nature, plants, trees, mountains, the ocean, and all
of the different kinds of people on Earth.
Cheng-Khee Chee created the most beautiful watercolor illustrations that
look brand new over a decade later in the hard cover edition, which is
truly the only edition you would want to buy.
The story is too beautiful to describe. It is an amazing experience. If
you want to know which book out of a million to read to your children,
this is the one.
HIGHLY Recommended. It is Priceless, and as an adult, I love reading
this book as much as my children love hearing it. A MUST BUY, and A MUST
READ!
Start teaching diversity and tolerance early on., April 7, 2004
Reviewer: Lee Ann Perez "spode12" (KS, United States)
I received this book years ago as a holiday gift from an adult friend to
an adult me! However, my grand-daughter has heard this story over and
over since she was 3 or 4, and it has led to many wonderful discussions
about tolerance, diversity, the Creator, taking care of Mother Earth and
all her children, what "God" might be like, etc. I'm not really wild
about organized religion, but through repetition and gentle discourse
according to her age, I've managed to convey to her a grounded
understanding of spirituality to be found in nature and in everyday
life.
In addition, this has become my standard newborn baby gift.
The best spiritual book ever!, May 1, 2003
Reviewer: A reader
I NEVER write reviews, but I had to write about this one!
It talks of all the different aspects of the earth and their
arguments with each other over what is God. Old Turtle speaks up and
proclaims that God is all the things they have said, but most
importantly, GOD IS.
Old Turtle then goes on to talk about how humans are coming and are a
gift. The humans do come, but they forget the gift and thereby destroy
much of the earth. When they remember, they realize that if they love,
they will experience the gift of God again.
This is how I want to teach my son and new baby about God. Not the
politics of who is "right" or "wrong." We can all just be assured that
through whatever spiritual path we are all on, we can take solace in
knowing that GOD IS.
Beautiful story.
Old Turtle, March 14, 2003
Reviewer: A reader
Wow...What a wonderful book! I would have to say this is probably one of
the very best books I have ever read! Along with the amazing
illustrations is a wonderful story of who the animals, mountains, the
winds and the waters, the fish, and the rocks and the birds, and the
trees see God. I think in a way it gives us a simile on how all of the
different things of the earth could symbolize how all the different
religions see God. But as the Old Turtle said God is all of the things
that they said. God IS!
I would highly recommend this book to parents or teachers to read to
children.
The Illustrations of the book are water colors and with how the
author places the setting and talks about all the creations of the world
I think it really ties the book and illustrations together. ~Kellie~
Old Turtle, March 10, 2003
Reviewer: Ben (Michigan)
This is a very well told and well illustrated story. Way back in the
beggining of time, when all the animals, mountains, trees, winds, and
waters could somehow talk to each other, they started arguing about who
and what God is. Eventually, the argument got so loud that Old Turtle,
who had never spoken much before, told them that God is everything, God
just IS. Then he told the animals about a new creature that was coming,
as a message of love from god to earth. Then People came. They forgot
they were a message from God. They misused their power, and hurt each
other and the earth. Then they were told to stop by a new voice. The
mountain, ocean, stone, breeze, and star told them what God was. The
people listened, and started to see beauty in one another and the earth.
This book has beautiful water-color illustrations. The people are not
well illustrated, but with water colors that is understandable. This
book was written by Douglas Wood, and illustrated by Cheng-Khee Chee.
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