Sunny Boy! The Life and Times of a Tortoise

5.0

0.0 (0)

388 0

Write Review Add to favorites

Sunny Boy! The Life and Times of a Tortoise

User Photos (1)

Author(s)

Candace Fleming

Co-Authors / Illustrators

Anne Wilsdorf

Publisher

Farrar Straus & Giroux

Genre(s)

Picture Book

Age Range

Release Date

August 12, 2005

ISBN

0374372977

Buy This Book

I have always longed for the quiet life. So begins Sunny Boy’s tale. As a young tortoise, he enjoys a peaceful life – inhaling the sweet smell of orchids, reciting Latin, licking stamps – year after quiet year. But fate twists, and our hero falls into the hands of Biff the Brave, an accident-prone performer of daredevil deeds. When Biff attempts his most dangerous stunt – going over Niagara Falls in a barrel – the shy and retiring Sunny Boy is suddenly swept into history’s limelight. This wild, funny tale is based on the story of an actual tortoise who went over the falls. Exuberant watercolors full of witty details add to this celebration of the adventurous spirit that resides in us all.

Editor reviews

2 reviews

He Didn't Want Adventure, But Got It Anyway

March 24, 2006 (Updated: July 01, 2026)

Overall rating

5.0

Plot

5.0

Characters

N/A

Writing Style

N/A

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A

Sunny Boy loves the quiet life. He was caught for the soup pot, but went home instead with singing horticulturist Pelonius Pimplewhite. When Sunny Boy outlives Pelonius, he's passed to his nephew Cornelius, who quietly collects stamps. On and on, Sunny is left to younger relations until he ends up with (gulp!) Biff, the Daredevil.

Biff's crazy adventures don't trouble Sunny Boy overmuch until the day he finds himself going over Niagara Falls in a barrel with him. All ends well, however, and Sunny Boy finds himself back in a calm life again. The only problem? He's acquired a taste for danger.

The fascinating author's note tells the true story this book is based on. Both tales, invented and true, make for great, fun, exciting reading. The cartoony illustrations by Anne Wilsdorf are outstanding--the perfect companion for Sunny Boy's amazing story. Highly recommended.

Guest

Comments (0) | Was this review helpful? 0 0