Christmas Turtles by Sara Ann Denson Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Christmas Turtles
Book Review: Delightful!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (10/06)
This delightful story will warm the hearts of the whole family. "Christmas Turtles" celebrates the true meaning of Christmas when one grandmother demonstrates her love for her family through her actions and self-sacrifice.
A pecan tree was planted behind the barn when each grandchild was born. As the children grow, so do the trees. Every fall Grandmother bends over and gathers the small brown nuts in her skirt. Then the worn Christmas tin and the silver nutcracker are brought out. The grandchildren help assist preparing the nuts. The golden halves are stacked in the faded tin and placed in the freezer. Each Christmas morning the pecan halves have disappeared only to be magically replaced by delicious chocolate turtles. But how did the turtles get there, did an elf make them? One mother explains, "Someone who loves you more than an elf made the turtles."
This book demonstrates self-sacrifice. Grandmother must bend over to collect the nuts. Her hands hurt when she cracks them open. She must spend much time standing before the stove on tired legs. All this for a candy she cannot eat. Grandmother's greatest pleasure is seeing the delight on her families face as they eat the turtles she so lovingly prepared.
This book was obviously penned in love. The illustrations are delightful, adding much to the story. The plot is beautifully written. I suspect it is based on a memory. The author is generous in sharing a recipe for "Christmas Turtles." I look forward to making these for my grandchildren. What a marvelous tradition it will be to watch their eyes as they bite into a Christmas Turtle. It is with great honor that I highly recommend this book to parents and grandparents. The story is a pleasure to read and the meaning behind it is a treasure to hold deep in your heart.
Book Review: Heartwarming
Summary: 5 Stars
A heartwarming story about the real purpose of Christmas: CANDY! I think there's stuff about family too.Book Review: Lovely Christmas present for kids
Summary: 5 Stars
Christmas Turtles is a sweet story that will touch your soul - and the souls of your kids. I got it as a gift for my friends' kid, and I must say it's a great gift idea for younger children. Lovely illustrations, too.
From many children's books available on this site, I would recommend it.
Book Review: Memories made from food we loved
Summary: 4 Stars
This is Denson's story of how her grandma planted a pecan tree commemorating Denson's birth and the birth of all her siblings. It is about how they then gathered the sprouting tree's fruit: pecans to make chocolate-covered turtles for Christmas.
As Denson's grandmother aged, she kept up this tradition even though she was plagued by osteoporosis, arthritis and diabetes. She couldn't enjoy the fruits of her efforts but the tradition is a cherished memory and shows children how anything that is a ritual during any time of year can become a tradition. It doesn't need to be all about Christmas gifts and Santa, but about the love and dedication of those near and dearest to us.
Denson and all her younger family members used to hide the chocolate pecan delights from the adults, in typical child fashion, wanting to keep the coveted booty for themselves. Grandma says, "I can't eat them," she said. "I just make them to see the glow in your eyes."
Food is such an essential part of how a lot of us were raised. We were shown love through what our grandparents, parents and other family members cooked for us and fed us as children. Denson captures the innocence and unconditional love of a child for her grandma's kindness.
It is a poignant children's hard cover book with gorgeous illustrations by Tara McMillen--a great glossy book to give as a gift all year round.
Armchair Interviews says: A lengthy book, not a first reader, but a good one for an adult to read to children and the recipe for Christmas Turtles is included for the book owner to continue this precious tradition.
Book Review: Our family loves this book!
Summary: 5 Stars
My son keeps asking me to read "the grandmother book" over and over again. We love this book and are giving copies to all of our nieces and nephews for Christmas!