Description
Moving from home is hard. It is even harder for young children who cannot imagine a world beyond the one they have always known. Oliver the turtle experiences this first hand. Reluctant to leave his home, he finally runs to catch up with his parents. Oliver has some adventures along the way and learns an important lesson in the process. Enjoy this read-aloud picture book with your child. For inquiring minds some interesting facts about turtles are included at the end, answering some questions the reader might have about turtles. Available in ebook, paperback, and hardcover.
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malvevonhassell
Turtle Crossing tackles the stresses that children face with moving houses, like leaving things they love behind as they enter a wholly new way-of-life. … The language in the narration validates the stress Oliver is feeling, which is reassuring to kids in similar spots who may feel insecure about “overreacting” and may be bottling up their worries. The end of the book, like the beginning, continues to validate the typical feelings of worry that arise with moving: it is normal to be stressed about big changes. Instead of “proving” that Oliver “had nothing to worry about,” Turtle Crossing demonstrates that moving is stressful and complicated, but change can bring good things, as well. … I would highly recommend Turtle Crossing to families who are in the process of moving or who have moved in the past for its healthy take on worry and Oliver’s strength in overcoming his personal challenges, no matter how big or small! It is not often that moving-related worries are explored rather than dismissed, so Turtle Crossing’s central themes may help children process and ease the big life transition. Additionally, the end of the book has turtle fun facts and jokes – a nice reward for facing such a deep message. LitPick editorial review, October 2025
malvevonhassell
April 15, 2026 Reviewed by Demetria Head for Readers’ Favorite
Turtle Crossing by Malve von Hassell is a children’s tale about a turtle named Oliver. He lives a quiet, comfortable life with his parents. Oliver enjoys listening to his dad telling stories and watching his mom drag a basket with her foot. He also loves ripe strawberries from the field. One day, his parents deliver shocking news that they are moving down to the land below the hill where their cousins, the Hoola turtles, live. Oliver struggles with the idea of moving and hides when it’s time to leave. But before long, he gets lonely and decides to make the trip all by himself. His journey takes him into unfamiliar surroundings where he undergoes a series of obstacles. Will Oliver have the courage to see things through, or will his path lead him elsewhere?
Malve von Hassell has written a very thoughtful and charming story about courage and change. The pacing matched young Oliver’s obstacles and movement from one scary place to another. The writing was easy to follow, making the message understandable for young readers. Oliver was very relatable. He had to confront fears, change, and new surroundings. I loved Marie Amélie Marquaire’s illustrations. They looked like watercolor paintings and brought the story to life. I appreciated the fun facts about the box turtle at the end of the story and the turtle jokes. They added a nice touch to further engage readers. Turtle Crossing reminded me of The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld. Readers will appreciate the gentle message and the exploration of emotions to help young readers.