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The True and Lucky Life of a Turtle

Brief Description
The bestselling and Sibert Honor–winning creators of The Book of Turtles bring us the true story of a snapping turtle’s extraordinary journey—and the amazing conservationists who helped give him a second chance. This feel-good, gorgeously illustrated story about beating the odds is complete with inspiring back... Read More
Format: Hardback
$3499
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The bestselling and Sibert Honor–winning creators of The Book of Turtles bring us the true story of a snapping turtle’s extraordinary journey—and the amazing conservationists who helped give him a second chance. This feel-good, gorgeously illustrated story about beating the odds is complete with inspiring back matter and photos.

Here is the true story of a very lucky turtle. His story began long ago when he was hatched from a very small egg on an autumn day. After decades of travelling between his summer pond behind the firehouse and his winter pond across the street, he never could have guessed that on one October day he would become unlucky...

The amazing friends and challenges he met along the way are all chronicled by the Sibert Honor–winning duo behind The Book of Turtles in this tribute to the resilience and good luck of their dear friend, a very lucky turtle indeed.

Detailed back matter includes an author's note, information about snapping turtles, and reader resources for how to save injured turtles.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780063325166

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Inc

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 23 October 2025

Country: United States

Imprint: HarperCollins

Contributors:

  • Illustrated by Matt Patterson

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Width: 279.0mm

Height: 254.0mm

Weight: 540g

Pages: 40

About the Author

Researching her articles, films, scripts, and 33 books, National Book Award finalist Sy Montgomery has scuba-dived with sharks, cuddled with octopuses, slept next to a mother hippo and her baby, and been undressed by a wild orangutan. To inform this book, she and artist Matt Patterson helped rescue cold-stunned sea turtles on Cape Cod, raised baby painted turtles for release into the wild, and provided physical therapy for an injured, 42-pound wild snapping turtle named Fire Chief. They still regularly patrol a nesting site for native New England turtles against predators and volunteer at Turtle Rescue League in southern Massachusetts.

Also by Sy Montgomery

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  • What the Chicken Knows
    A charming and eye-opening exploration of the special relationship between humans and chickens from Sy Montgomery, “one of our finest chroniclers of the natural world” (The New York Times). For more than two decades, Sy Montgomery—whose The Soul of an Octopus was a National Book Award finalist—has kept a flock of chickens in her backyard. Each chicken has an individual...
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  • The Book of Turtles
    From National Book Award finalist and New York Times bestseller Sy Montgomery comes an ode to one of the most diverse, fascinating, and beloved species on the planet: turtles. With dazzling illustrations and emotionally engaging, fact-filled text, this picture book will speak to the wisdom these long-lived animals can lend. Everyone loves turtles. And no wonder: long-lived, unhurried, and ancient,...
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  • The Soul of an Octopus
    The Soul of an Octopus takes readers on an extraordinary journey into the world of one of the ocean's most enigmatic creatures. Sy Montgomery beautifully intertwines personal narratives with scientific inquiry, revealing the captivating lives of octopuses and the profound connections they share with humans. Through vivid storytelling, Montgomery invites you to explore the reefs of French Polynesia, the depths...
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  • Secrets of the Octopus
    Take an illuminating journey into the life of the octopus, one of nature's most intelligent and complex animals. Learn from an international bestselling author, the world's brightest octopus researchers, and vivid National Geographic photography to come closer than ever to these elusive creatures. The companion to the highly-anticipated National Geographic Disney+ special Secrets of the Octopus, narrated by Paul Rudd,...
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