Nothing but the truth

Douglas Wood’s first book, Old Turtle, became an overnight sensation and an instant classic, inspiring children and adults alike. Since it was first published in 1992, the title has found its way into thousands of homes and libraries, selling more than three-quarters of a million copies and garnering numerous awards, including the American Booksellers Book of the Year and the International Reading Association Book of the Year. A Minnesota musician and songwriter, Wood, who has since authored 15 other children’s books, returns to the universal themes of wisdom, peace and truth in a follow-up story, Old Turtle and the Broken Truth. His fable begins in a beautiful, faraway land, that is, after all, not so very far away. One day, a truth falls from the sky, and as it falls, it breaks. Although a number of creatures are attracted to the sweet, shiny piece, they soon discard it, hoping instead to find the whole truth. When the broken truth is discovered by human beings, it becomes an object of envy. Over time, it is won and lost in a series of battles, causing pain and suffering. Finally, troubled in spirit, a Little Girl undertakes a long journey. She makes her way to Old Turtle to ask, “But where is the missing piece? Can we put the truth back together again?” With the help of wise Old Turtle and Crow, the Little Girl is able to return to the world and mend the broken truth, creating a perfect whole. Wood’s message of understanding, tolerance and love is enhanced by Jon Muth’s luminous watercolors, which bring a graceful, abstract quality to this original fable. Muth, an acclaimed comic book artist, won the Gold Medal from the Society of Illustrators for his first children’s book, Come On, Rain! Fans of the first Old Turtle tale will flock to share the strong message in this new book, which is sure to become a favorite with readers. Deborah Hopkinson’s most recent book is Shutting out the Sky: Life in the Tenements of New York.