The Magic Sea Turtle by Kathleen Welton begins when Myrtle, a little girl, is spending a lovely day—much like every day in the kingdom where she lives—picking ripened apples. But there is a sudden change in the weather. Myrtle can no longer return home and falls into the sea. Watching her fall is Max, a sea turtle quite different from any other. His form of magic becomes apparent when he seems to have something to do with the little girl’s rescue. But this is only the introduction to what Myrtle will find in her new watery surroundings. She is immediately at the center of an array of friendly ocean creatures. Encouraged to remain, what follows illustrates why Max is a magic turtle with whom Myrtle can share her hopes.

The plot ranges from the creation of instant bonds to confiding one's dearest dreams. Kathleen Welton rapidly unfolds events believably. This sense of surety is largely because Max has a special place in this sea world. The invitation for Myrtle to remain is done so with welcoming enthusiasm and a special incentive. The vibrant illustrations are a wonderful complement to the tale. Young children will gain much from reading this book, above all respect for diversity, reinforced by the fact that magic can be real. While not having the same potential for magical change as in the book, fulfilling wishes depends on believing in realization, and real-life magic can take many forms. This theme provides an opportunity for a meaningful discussion between adults and children. The Magic Sea Turtle is a delightful story that conveys important messages in a captivating way to readers at an impressionable age.

In The Magic Sea Turtle by Kathleen Welton, when young Myrtle, who, like so many youngsters, dreams of being a queen in her world, tumbles into the sea, she is rescued by friendly seagulls who take her via a magic carpet to their friends in the ocean. There, she meets dolphins, swordfish, octopi, flying fish, swans, and a king turtle. As the children who are lucky enough to enjoy this wonderful book will be, Myrtle is mesmerized by what she sees. Better yet, she feels so welcome and at home in the sea that she decides she would like to stay. Is that possible? What Myrtle learns is something that can take adults years to learn: everything is possible if we believe in ourselves.

The “magic” mentioned in the title of The Magic Sea Turtle by Kathleen Welton goes well beyond its title. There is magic in the charming story, magic in the excellent poetry, and magic in the beautiful illustrations by Chau Pham. Apart from the stunning illustrations, what I found especially pleasing was the poetry. Many children’s books use poetry, but sometimes the poetry is not as well done as the drawings. That is certainly not the case here: Kathleen Welton has several books to her credit, one of which is a beginner’s guide to writing poetry and she exhibits her poetic skills perfectly in The Magic Sea Turtle. The result? A children’s book that is a feast for the eyes, music to the ears, and a reading experience that should be enjoyed and shared with children everywhere.