While I found myself longing for some diversity within the illustrations, I must praise Phelan for her gorgeous, detailed work. My favourite aspect of the book is the turtle’s she has created; Templeton is absolutely adorable with his chubby baby cheeks, stubby frame and swirly shell designs. Phelan also excels in her work on the eyes of various pond denizens; they are wonderfully mysterious and expressive. The realism with which the characters are portrayed will definitely appeal to all nature and animal lovers.
Pridmore and Phelan’s work melds together to create an oasis of calm where a tiny turtle can embark upon an adventurous expedition while never leaving the watchful eyes of the pond’s community. Here we find the axiom “It takes a village to raise a child” applied to a situation quite unlike those it is normally employed in. Templeton the Turtle Goes Exploring proves to be a mild story, perfect for sensitive children like my own oldest daughter, who become distressed when too much tension is present. All is well.
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