Finding Tucker


Children - Concept
26 Pages
Reviewed on 03/04/2023
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Rosie Malezer for Readers' Favorite

Finding Tucker is a children's story, narrated in rhyme and illustrated by Grayce L. Presnar. While playing in their backyard during a family get-together, the children find a small turtle, which they name Tucker. The tiny turtle is lucky not to have been stepped on during the family's volleyball game. As he is gently picked up, Tucker hides his feet and head inside his shell. The children take the turtle inside to keep him safe, and he sleeps inside a bucket during the night but he has disappeared the following day. The bucket has fallen on its side and Tucker has walked right out the screen door. Although the children are brokenhearted, they know Tucker had gone back to his place in the world where he belongs.

I enjoyed reading Finding Tucker and I love the message that it teaches children. Grayce L. Presnar's tale and illustrations show the innocence of finding a small animal in the yard, and the instinct to want to claim it as your own and protect it. Wild animals, however, cannot just be claimed and more often than not have their own home and family to take care of. Tucker's journey back into the wild is one of nature, whereas the children's ambition is to nurture. It is a wonderful but sad lesson to learn while growing up. I believe children aged four and over will enjoy Tucker's story and it would be ideally stocked in libraries and daycare centers to be enjoyed by children worldwide.

Philip Van Heusen

Finding Tucker by Grayce L. Presnar is a sweet story about Mikey finding a turtle in his backyard. Mikey learns how turtles pull their legs, neck, head, and tail into their shell when they are afraid. He also realizes there is much to do when you rescue or adopt a wild animal. Mikey gives the turtle leaves to eat and places him in a pail for safety. As you read this story, the love Mikey shows to his turtle, which he names Tucker, will resonate with your child. Mikey’s discovery of Tucker occurs when his family has a day of fun and frolic. At bedtime, Mikey prays for his new friend. However, the next morning Mikey is sad as he learns that Tucker has returned to his life in the wild. This helps Mikey understand the importance of family for humans and animals.

Not only is Grayce L. Presnar a talented writer, but in Finding Tucker, she also shows that she is a skilled illustrator. The illustrations will add to your child’s enjoyment as they learn all about Mikey and his turtle. Read it to or with your child and take the opportunity to discuss the importance of family and time together. It will also allow you to talk to your child about handling disappointment as well as understanding that animal families are important, too. Children need to learn to appreciate animals in the wild and the importance of animals being left in their natural environment. I highly recommend this great little story for children of all ages.

Alex Ndirangu

One sunny day, a little turtle goes about his daily escapades. He crawls through a backyard where a group of children is playing volleyball. However, the ball rolls off the court and lands on the grass beside him. And that's when one of the boys discovers him. The boy is delighted to have found a new friend he can call his own. The little turtle keeps tucking himself inside his shell whenever the boy tries to touch him and so he is named Tucker. After Tucker gets to play in a puddle and warm his nose in the sun, the boy gives him leaves and melon seeds to eat and finds him a pail in which to sleep. That night, the boy barely sleeps. He prays his new pet will love his home and want to stay. When he wakes up, however, he finds the bucket on its side and Tucker is nowhere to be found! Where did sweet little Tucker go? Will they ever play together again? Read Finding Tucker by Grayce L. Presnar to find out.

This beautifully illustrated story is a feast for the eyes, with each scene depicted in vibrant color. Presnar's attention to detail is evident as each element described in the story is accompanied by corresponding artwork, allowing you to immerse yourself in the narrative. Young readers will be enthralled by the captivating imagery and easy-to-read storytelling. Well put together and with a friendly theme, it offers a valuable story for kids and adults. We feel lucky to find people who go above and beyond to avoid hurting our feelings and making us feel unsafe. The same goes for animals. Tucker is blessed to have been found by someone willing to keep him safe and they share happy moments, teaching us that we should be grateful when we meet people who treat us with kindness as we never know how long we'll have them with us. Parents looking for an excellent story to educate their children on how to be kind should check out Grayce L. Presnar's Finding Tucker.

Vincent Dublado

Finding Tucker is a charming little tale written and illustrated by Grayce L. Presnar. The story is about a turtle that strays into a backyard and whose short stay with the family who kept him for a while becomes filled with wonderful memories. In an easy-to-read narrative poetry style, you are introduced to Tucker, a little turtle who lands in a huge backyard on a sunny day and takes a young boy and his family by surprise. Tucker is shy and retreats to his shell. The boy decides to find him a safe place by keeping him as a pet. Tucker is pampered with leaves and melon seeds and is allowed to roam around the house and play. But his stay is not meant to last when one day he decides to leave the house, making this human boy sad.

Finding Tucker has a pressing message that all children and parents need to learn. On most occasions, both kids and adults have the tendency to keep an animal they find as a pet. Grayce L. Presnar makes it clear that even if such intentions are good, not all animals should not be kept as pets, and that they are better off thriving in their own environment. In a worst-case scenario, there are people who treat animals as toys and lose interest when they no longer find them cute. Presnar’s illustrations have a homey feel in her use of simple lines and a mix of colors. I highly recommend this little story. The importance of its lesson is that we should all learn to become more humane and compassionate toward the other creatures that dwell on this planet.

Michaela Gordoni

In Finding Tucker by Grayce L. Presnar, it is a sunny summer's day - the perfect kind of day to have a backyard volleyball match. But the game is interrupted when a cup of spilled lemonade reveals a little spectator - Tucker the turtle. Little Tucker becomes a member of the household, but only for a night. Tucker must do what turtles are supposed to do and continue his life in the wild, but maybe Tucker will come back to visit again one day.

Finding Tucker by Grayce L. Presnar is a cute story about a visiting turtle that a child found in the backyard. This likable book is written in a rhyming style that makes it enjoyable to read aloud. The artwork is simple and rudimentary, but it adds to the charm of the story. The pages with rhyme are outlined by little turtle footprints, which add a playful touch to the book. One of the things that make this book so relatable for children is the way it portrays the attachment that children can develop with animals they come across. It's not uncommon for children to bond with animals, even if they're only around for a short time. It also highlights the importance of treating animals with kindness and respect, even if they're only temporary visitors. Instead of becoming sad after Tucker’s departure, the child in the story chooses to remember Tucker’s visit with happiness.