Hurry, Little Tortoise, Time for School!

by Carrie Finison, Erub Kraan (Illustrator)

It's the first day of school and Little Tortoise is worried. Can she get there on time?

It's the first day of school and Little Tortoise is ready with a backpack filled with new school supplies. Little Tortoise can't wait to get to school and tries very hard not to be the last student there.

But soon Cheetah, Llama, and even a snail on a scooter, overtake her.
And then when she gets stuck in the gutter of the book, she's sure she'll be the last pupil to arrive! But the timely arrival of Mr. Sloth, her new teacher, changes everything.

Gentle reassuring language full of wordplay, and bold and bright art by an up and coming artist offer students a comforting story about this new experience. Here's a fresh way to encourage reluctant students to be on their way.

Genres: Picture Books, School, Animals, Back To School, Childrens, Humor, Storytime

40 pages, Hardcover

Published July 19, 2022

About the author

Carrie Finison began her literary career at the age of seven with an idea, a box of markers, and her father’s typewriter. She has been writing off and on ever since, though she has (somewhat regretfully) traded in the typewriter for a laptop. Her picture books include DOZENS OF DOUGHNUTS, illustrated by Brianne Farley (Putnam, 2020) - a Junior Library Guild selection; DON'T HUG DOUG, illustrated by Daniel Wiseman (Putnam, 2021) - an ALA Notable Children's Book; LULU & ZOEY: A SISTER STORY, illustrated by Brittany Jackson (Running Press Kids, 2022); HURRY, LITTLE TORTOISE, TIME FOR SCHOOL, illustrated by Erin Kraan (Random House Studio, 2022). Her latest picture book is PIGS DIG A ROAD (Putnam, 2024) She lives outside Boston with her husband, son, daughter, and two cats who permit her to write in their cozy attic office. Find her online at http://www.carriefinison.com or on Instagram @CarrieFinson. Subscribe to her occasional newsletter for events, giveaways and more: http://www.carriefinison.com/newsletter

Reviews

[Rajani LaRocca]

What a delightful book! Sweet and hilarious, this book about a little tortoise hurrying to school as fast as she can will charm children and parents alike. Little Tortoise meets an assortment of animals who are all faster than her and feels despondent at being left behind—until she sees her teacher, whose kindness reminds her that it's not speed that matters, it's showing up and being excited for school. The art is absolutely adorable, too!

[Renée LaTulippe]

Little Tortoise has stolen my heart and tickled my funny bone! I was already smitten with the cover depicting her in her racing helmet, but I fell head over heels for this intrepid tortoise when I read her school checklist before the title page, followed by this wry passage:

Little Tortoise takes off--faster than
you can say LICKETY-SPLIT!
LICKETY-SPLIT again!
LICKETY-SPLIT LOUDER!
LICKETY-SPL--There she goes!

Finison plants these adorable tongue-in-cheek phrases throughout the book ("Her feet are a blur!"), which kept me giggling from page to page -- along with Erin Kraan's delightful woodcut illustrations that show Little Tortoise making, despite her blurry feet, very slow progress indeed between a tree and three little stones.

I love the sweet turn the story takes when Little Tortoise, left behind by her encouraging but faster friends, encounters the kindness of her teacher and learns that it's okay to go her own pace. This book is a delight on every level, from its humor, word-play, and onomatopoeia to its beautiful illustrations and themes of perseverance and self-acceptance. I know it will make my 5yo giggle and say "Awwww!" in equal measure.

(Oh, and keep an eye out for the very clever moment in the middle of the book -- where does Little Tortoise go?)

[Laura Gehl]

This is a great book to start conversations with over-competitive or anxious kids about how faster isn't always better, and how we don't need to compare ourselves with others. But it is also FUNNY. I laughed inside my head at Snail offering Little Tortoise a ride, and then laughed out loud at the surprise on the last page. The art has a unique style that I found very appealing.

[Julie Rowan-Zoch]

Sweet, colorful block print-style illustrations follow little tortoise on her way to school and today she will be super-fast! But her classmates - all accompanied with adorable onomatopoeia - are just...faster. Just as she begins to lose her gumption she finds she is not the only one who has her own pace...and learns what is really important on the journey. Adorable read for those of us just starting out!

[Viviane Elbee]

Love this adorable book where a fast little tortoise is racing to school - plonk a plunk. Plonk a plunk. She’s hoping to be the first one…then second… then just not last.

[Susan]

I love how the text for Hurry, Little Tortoise begins as soon as it can--on the left-hand side of the page facing the title page! If Little Tortoise's words ("I canNOT be late today!") didn't make it clear, this does. Little Tortoise is in a hurry!

With the text perfectly positioned for page turns, readers will be laughing along as Little Tortoise makes her way to school, "probably setting a new land speed record for tortoises!" And then, even though, she fears she'll be both late and last ... a clever and hilarious surprise.

Young readers, and adults too, of course, will cheer for Little Tortoise and be reassured when her teacher tells her, "The most important thing is that we're all here."

I highly recommend this book with its cheery playful art and its clever, heart-warming text.

(Thank you to the author for sending me an arc to review.)

[Charlotte Offsay]

Tortoise is all ready for the first day of school but as much as he tries to hurry, all his classmates zoom by and he struggles to keep up. Will he make it to school on time? Filled with heart and humor this adorable story shows what is really important and encourages kids to go at the pace that is right for them.

[R.G. Spaulding]

What a charming and honest book for kids! We all try to do our best. Sometimes we are fast, and sometimes we are..., but the important thing is we try our best. Carrie is a master at making really important things sound fun for kids in the picture book age group and maybe even the adults who read it to their kids! Because sometimes adults need this reminder too. The illustrations by Erin Kraan are absolutely delightful and capture the words in a very tangible way.
The onomatopoeia is hilarious as the students head to class. I am definitely gifting these books to my little nephews and nieces.

[Lisa Tolin]

Little Tortoise can't WAIT to get to school. Except she'll have to, because she's, well, a tortoise. As she's gently passed by a cheetah (of course) and her other classmates, Little Tortoise slowly makes her way to the classroom, passed even by a snail who offers a ride. When she finds a kindred soul on the way to the classroom (no spoilers!) she'll discover it's not a race. This sweetly humorous story is great for slow pokes (and their parents) and anyone who ever felt the pressure to be first, best or fastest.

[M.O. Yuksel]

What a fun story and wonderful read-aloud. Readers will delight in the fun onomatopoeia, hilarious story, and colorful illustrations. Little Tortoise is ready to be the fastest and the first to get to school but along the way she’s left behind by many of her faster friends. She’s reminded by her teacher that showing up is what matters the most. At the end there’s a cute tip of the hat to The Tortoise and the Hare classic. Kids will want to read this engaging story again and again.

[Candace Spizzirri]

This adorable book is destined to be a classic! Little Tortoise is determined to get to school on time for her first day of preschool. She is encouraged along the way by her friends Cheetah, Llama, and others. She does her best, but Is the whole world faster? Poor Little Tortoise gets stuck...guess where? Thank goodness Mr. Sloth, her teacher, is running late today too. Carrie Finison's clever, fun text pairs perfectly with Erin Kraan's delightful illustrations. A must-read!

[Tina Cho]

Hurry, Little Tortoise, Time for School is an adorable back-to-school book for all ages, encouraging everyone to be on time. Little Tortoise is slow to arrive to school, but perhaps she's not the last. The lovely color palette & woodcut printing are perfectly paired with Carrie's fun text. Can't wait to share with my kindergartners!

[Vicky Fang]

This book is so cute! Follow little tortoise as she tries to get to school quickly! Kids will love the adorable animals that all seem to be faster than tortoise, and the sweet resolution that makes tortoise feel good after all.

[Cathy Mealey]

PLONK A PLONK
PLONK A PLONK

Stir the hearts of your littlest readers who may be going FAST or s-l-o-w on their way to begin school this year! Adorable art and laugh out loud lines will have your cheering on this sweet, determined tortoise who will get to school....eventually!

[Michele Knott]

My favorite lines:
"Sometimes we're fast, and sometimes we're last. The important thing is that we're all here."

[Olivia]

See my full review here: https://www.yabookscentral.com/hurry-...

HURRY, LITTLE TORTOISE, TIME FOR SCHOOL! is a cute picture book about achieving your personal best and going at your own speed (literally). Tortoise is excited to go to school, and she is determined to go there today as quickly as she can. As she walks to school, her classmates pass her by, reminding her to hurry, but she is already going as quickly as she can. As she finally gets closer, she sees Mr. Sloth, who is also hurrying as much as he can as well. They reach the classroom just on time with a reminder that it does not matter so much who is first or last but that they are all there.

What I loved: This is a really cute story with a great message about doing things in your own time. Tortoise is trying her best, and that may not be the same as other animals' bests, but it still means a lot. Children will appreciate the messages around achieving your personal best and not worrying about others as well as the importance of showing up, no matter what time you do. The illustrations are colorful and cute with lots of different animals on their way to school, excited to learn for the day. The text includes some sounds and speech along the way to add some extra fun.

What left me wanting more: As a small thing, tortoise disappears on a couple pages in the crack between the pages, which will be difficult for children who want to watch her progress. The text does not always flow smoothly when it is split between the general text and speech bubbles, but caregivers will be able to adjust order as needed once they have read it a couple times.

Final verdict: HURRY, LITTLE TORTOISE, TIME FOR SCHOOL! is a cute picture book that encourages children to go at their own pace and do their own personal best. This will resonate with young readers who will enjoy the colorful illustrations and delightful animal characters.

Please note that I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Barbara]

This picture book with its striking woodcut prints embellished with watercolor features a familiar story with a new slant that just might offer encouragement to those individuals who prefer to take their time or move at their own pace. Little Tortoise knows how important it is to arrive to school on time so she gets up early, munches on her lettuce, and starts out before everyone else. But alas! Even though she's hustling, her classmates pass her up. First, that speedy Cheetah, then Llama, and just about everyone else. To add insult to injury, the other animals keep urging her to speed up and reminding her that she's going to be late. She's filled with despair when a speedy classmate rushes past and causes her to land on the back of her shell, leaving her helpless to move. Fortunately for her, Mr. Sloth, her teacher, is slowly making his way to school and comes to her rescue. Little Tortoise recognizes a kindred spirit in Mr. Sloth, and she isn't worried about her slow pace anymore, especially when another classmate arrives even later than she does. It's clear that this will be a good year for Little Tortoise as a sign in the classroom points to topics such as Slow-cial Studies and Observing Grass Growing. As Mr. Sloth reminds the students, being first, second or last really don't matter; the important thing is being there, being present. The freshness of the images, the positive, encouraging message, and the nod to the familiar story of the Tortoise and the Hare all make this picture book a good choice for a title to share during the first week of school. After living more than six decades, I'm still learning how to slow down a bit and savor the moments.

[Melanie Ellsworth]

This is one of my favorite back-to-school books, with a fresh take featuring a little Tortoise who is determined to get to school on time for the first day of class. The anxiety that comes with starting school is balanced by laugh-out-loud humor and Tortoise’s can-do spirit. The illustrations and text play perfectly with each other, showing Tortoise’s painstaking process alongside her perception that she’s moving, “As fast as a race car! As fast as a rocket!” Readers will be impressed by Tortoise’s determination, even as she’s passed by all her classmates (including Cheetah, who has time to return home for something he forgot and still make it to school before Tortoise!). The ending is perfect, with Tortoise finding a teacher who understands her perfectly, and readers will enjoy the nod to an old, favorite fable. The wood-cut illustrations are full of little treasures for kids to discover. A delightfully funny story, adorably illustrated with a positive message about school and self-confidence.

[Chana Stiefel]

My dear friend who is starting her 34th year teaching Early Childhood heads back to school this week with her class tortoise, Shelli (get it?). So I bought them a copy of Carrie Finison’s HURRY LITTLE TORTOISE, TIME FOR SCHOOL!, adorably illustrated by Erin Kraan. Shelli LOVES seeing herself in a book! It’s about a little tortoise who’s fueled up on lettuce for her first day of school. She is going to be super FAST! Alas, she can’t keep up with Cheetah, Lemur, and her other super fast classmates. She even gets lost (literally) between the pages. Finally, she meets her match—her teacher, Mr. Sloth, who also does everything at his own s-l-o-w pace. Shelli and Rachelle can’t wait to share this charming book with the kids at school. And here’s Rachelle’s expert advice for arriving on time: Leave extra early! (She arrives a full hour before her students!) Parents, teachers, and kids will love this great addition to their home or school library!

[Diane]

"Sometimes we're fast, and sometimes we're last. The important thing is that we're all here."

Poor Little Tortoise ... she can't be late for school. She is going SUPER fast! "Plonk-a plunk. Plonk-a plunk." But most of her classmates pass her by like she's standing still: Cheetah, Llama, even Snail goes by on a scooter. They all encourage Little T to hurry. "I am hurrying!" But when Cheetah runs by and knocks Little Tortoise over on her back, it looks like she's never going to make it to school. Thankfully, Mr. Sloth is running late, too, and he helps Little T back on her feet and into the school.

Such adorable illustrations and the deeper meaning of the story will make a great discussion for students. We all do things at our own pace, but it's okay as long as we keep plugging along.

[Elizabeth Volkmann]

What a delight! Will Little Tortoise make it to school? That's the question that keeps the reader turning the pages until the end of this fun story. I found the determination of Little Tortoise and the encouragement of her friends to be very up lifting, and when she encounters the support of her kind teacher, it just made my heart sing. This book is destined to become a back-to-school staple in homes and in classrooms but more than that it is a story of not giving up, not getting discouraged and accepting who you are and your own unique abilities. The text and the illustrations are perfectly matched to bring this endearing tortoise and her lively environment to life. This is a book that will be read again and again. Highly recommended.

[Read Ribbet]

This first day of school story tells the tale of Little Tortoise who is working hard to arrive at school on time. Illustrator Erin Kraan effectively captures Little Tortoise's journey as we watch him move further along as we turn each age. We also see him get passed by his faster classmates. In a moment when he is about to give up, Little Tortoise is helped along the way by his teacher Mr. Sloth. The story reminds us that sometimes we are first and sometimes we are last but being together is the important thing. Finison adds one little twist at the end which will remind readers about the classic Hare and Tortoise story. Finison also embeds a fair amount of onomatopoeia use along the way to add some volume to the animals actions.

[Kirsten Pendreigh]

Buckle up for a comical journey with my new favorite picture book character, Little Tortoise. With wry humor that will have little ones laughing out loud, Finison has readers follow Little Tortoise as she “hurries” to school. Things start out promising, but along the way, poor Little Tortoise is overtaken (even by a snail!) and overturned. Just when it looks like all hope is lost, Little Tortoise (and readers) are reassured that speed—or whatever someone else excel at—doesn’t matter in the end. What really matters is that we are all here, together. Kids will delight in the funny illustration details peppered throughout. Love it!

[Roben]

It's the first day of school and tortoise does not want to be late. So she goes as fast as she can - which, admittedly, is not that fast compared to cheetah and llama. Even snail is riding a scooter. But then the unthinkable happens and tortoise ends up upside down! Fortunately, Mr. Sloth, her teacher, arrives to save the day. And it turns out that Tortoise may not be the last one to show up for class after all!
Very cute - the main message is it doesn't matter if you are first or last, the important thing is showing up. A nice book to add to your first day of school list.
Or a tortoise and hare list would work also!

[Jane Healy]

Hurry, hurry, hurry! Sometimes our lives are full of it, but not all of us were made to comply. Little Tortoise gets a head start for her first day of school, trying to be on time, but "plonk-a-plunk" is the only speed she can go. Other animals zoom past her, each with their own sounds, as Little Tortoise "plonk-a-plunks" his way across the pages. When she arrives at school, the door is shut and school is starting without her. But a twist at the ending lifts her spirits and shows her that she belongs. The entire class learns that there are more important things than speed. This is a sweet book for back-to-school or anytime families are stressing out about being on time.

[Ashley S]

It's the first day of school for Little Tortoise, and she wants to be the first one there. But all the other animals pass her, and she ends up on her back with no one to help because everyone is already at school. Until someone else comes behind her who also needs some extra time and Little Tortoise learns it's not how fast you get somewhere, but as long as you're there. Carrie Finison does it again with another sweet story with a touch of humor as a follow-up to her other authored books, DON'T HUG DOUG and DOZENS OF DOUGHNUTS.

[Buffy Silverman]

In this charming rewrite of the race between the tortoise and the hare, Little Tortoise is eager to get to her first day of school. She thinks she’s moving so fast that her feet are a blur. She can speed to school as fast as a rocket! But one animal after another passes her until she ends up shell-side down in front of school, unable to make it into school. Little Tortoise gets an unexpected lift and the confidence to join her classmates at her own pace. And Little Hare? He might not win this race!

[Megan Litwin]

This is an ADORABLE read-aloud to share with those little slowpokes in your life! (And also those who rush a bit too fast...) Little Tortoise is an endearing main character, positive and determined every inch of the way as she plods along. You’ll be cheering for her to make it to school on time, and laughing out loud at the sweet ending twist. The fabulous illustrations give young readers plenty of extra details to notice and giggle about. “Sometimes we’re fast, and sometimes we’re last" is a line that stuck with me - just don’t be last to grab this one!

[Sara Fajardo]

Hurry, Little Tortoise is a charming modern day retelling of Tortoise and the Hare. Little Tortoise has a steely determination to be the first to school, and although he plods away and all his classmates surpass him, he continues on his journey. When he's at the brink of giving up he receives wise advice from his teacher, an equally slow-moving sloth, who reminds us all that it's not about how fast we are in our journey, but rather that we make it to our destination. A cute surprise ending is sure to delight kids of all ages.

[Bethany Powell]

It's a new school year and Little Tortoise is DEFINITELY going to get to class in time! But despite all her plans, she sees so many of her friends racing ahead. It's hard not to be discouraged. Just as she's about to give up, though, she meets her new teacher. Maybe being quick isn't as important as going as fast as you can?

This is a sweet story about feeling left behind despite trying your best, then realizing others are still with you. The illustration style is warm and textured with rich colors I really love.