Memoirs of a Tortoise written by Devin Scillian and illustrated by Tim Bowers is a gentle picture book for young children about friendship and loss. The friendship in this story is between two eighty-year old creatures-----one a man named Ike and the other a tortoise named Oliver. And since a tortoise generally lives much longer than a human it is the tortoise who experiences the fact that his friend Ike has died.
The teaching point in the story, told sweetly in first person by the tortoise and lusciously- illustrated, is that friends must make the very best of the time they have together. Ike likes to play “fetch the stick” with Oliver. This is not Oliver’s favorite thing to do but he laughs to make Ike happy. And Ike makes sure Oliver has plenty of lettuce and honey dew melon to eat.
When Ike dies Oliver decides to visit his 137 years old Mother, who lives ten gardens away, and let her know that he has lost a good friend. Oliver begins his journey in December and finally arrives in February----it takes him over two months of determined crawling to get there! This is a lovely shout out to young readers who have probably heard something about the aphorism “slow and steady wins the race.”
The illustrations, all set in beautiful gardens, are colorful with bright orange hibiscus flowers and rich green plants. One of the most touching pictures of Oliver, however, is when we see Ike stroking Oliver’s shell----it is perfect.
Memoirs of a Tortoise written by Devin Scillian and illustrated by Tim Bowers is a lovely picture book for children 4-7 years of age (Sleeping Bear, 2020).
Activity Questions for Memoirs of a Tortoise
How does the author let the reader know that Ike and Oliver are true friends? What do they do for each other? How does the illustrator also show the reader that they enjoy each other’s company?
This story takes place in beautiful garden settings. Look through the book again and try to find the following flowers and garden items: a bird bath, hibiscus plants, a butterfly, gardenias, purple iris, an outdoor bench, a garden hose, a glass of water, a rocking chair, a pair of red flip flops, large stone hedges and a small swimming pool. Can you name four other items you would have also included in these gardens?
Oliver asks his mother, “Why do we have to lose people?” What does she say? Have you ever lost a friend or a family member? Older children: please write a paragraph based on one specific memory you have about the good times you had with that person. Younger children: please draw a picture based on a memory that shows you and that person or pet having a wonderful time. Find a quiet place, remember back and then write or draw your memory.
