Tadeo Turtle: A Children’s Book about Being Unique

Janis Cox’s Tadeo Turtle is a delightful Christian children’s book about a turtle who becomes discontented with carrying his shell around after making a new friend who can do things he can’t. Sam Squirrel can climb trees, move quickly, and explore the world in ways that Tadeo can only dream about. Before long, Tadeo starts wishing he could be more like Sam.

Tadeo loved to laugh and play…

…until he met Sam Squirrel one day.

Have you ever watched your children compare themselves to their friends or siblings? Maybe one wishes they could run as fast as someone else, draw as beautifully as a friend, or climb as high as another child on the playground. Even young children can struggle with feeling that someone else has something better.

Tadeo understands that feeling. He dreams that he loses his shell and can do everything Sam Squirrel can do. For a little while, life seems much more exciting without the extra weight on his back. But then Cat shows up, and Tadeo discovers that his shell might not be such a bad thing after all!

Through his adventure, Tadeo learns that “God had made him perfectly.” His shell isn’t a burden or a mistake. It’s part of what makes him a turtle!

I received this book for review courtesy of the author; all opinions expressed remain my own. This post contains affiliate links; as an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

A Children’s Book about God’s Unique Design

Janis Cox’s beautiful watercolour paintings accompany her rhyming story about Tadeo. The illustrations bring the woodland characters to life, while the simple story helps children understand an important lesson: each of us is unique, and that’s a good thing.

It’s easy for children (and adults!) to focus on what we can’t do instead of appreciating the things we can do. We might wish we were taller, faster, stronger, or better at something. We might look at someone else’s abilities and wonder why God didn’t make us that way, too.

Tadeo Turtle offers a gentle reminder that God created each of us with our own abilities and characteristics. We don’t need to be just like someone else to be wonderfully made.

The story is a lovely illustration of Psalm 139:13-15 (CEB):

“You are the one who created my innermost parts; you knit me together while I was still in my mother’s womb. I give thanks to you that I was marvelously set apart. Your works are wonderful—I know that very well. My bones weren’t hidden from you when I was being put together in a secret place, when I was being woven together in the deep parts of the earth.

Teachers and homeschoolers may be interested in extending the learning with Tadeo Turtle through the accompanying book, Tadeo Turtle Extended Activities: For Home and School. This activity-packed book is brimming with creative and easy-to-implement ideas, from catchy songs to fun fractions. It’s an all-in-one resource covering math, science, Scripture study, art, music, language arts and physical education.

If your kids like this book, they may also like:

• Beautiful You, Beautiful Me by Tasha Spillett-Sumner (theme: each of us is beautiful in our own way)
• How to Party Like a Snail by Naseem Hrab (theme: people like different things and that’s okay)
• Everyone Belongs (theme: friendship and racism)

More about the Author

Janis Cox has been writing online since 2008 and began her writing journey with poetry and Bible journaling in 2001. Her faith inspired her to start a new blog in 2012, the same year she published Tadeo Turtle. Her second children’s book, The Kingdom of Thrim, followed in 2016. Janis has also podcasted nearly 150 programs for Hope Stream Radio, some of which are included in her devotional book, Growing Through God’s Word. She leads the Facebook group Growing Through God’s Word, where Christians can encourage one another in Bible study and prayer. Her other publications include a Psalm 119 colouring and Bible study book.