A young girl dreams of having a turtle for a pet. Or does she want a tortoise? Most turtles spend more time in water than tortoises do, but box turtles like living on land. All of the species have long life spans—some live to the age of 100. Turtles and tortoises like sunshine and fresh air. An outside home is best for summertime. The child and her dad build a pen in their yard. They make it large for exercising and include a small bath for swimming and a hideout for sleeping. In the fall, they move the turtle into a box to hibernate through the winter. Water turtles live in aquariums. They need rocks for resting and a heat lamp for warmth. Water turtles eat meat and plants—and they poop a lot. Aquariums need thorough and frequent cleanings. Reviewing the quiz at the end will help the reader to decide on whether or not a turtle is a good pet to consider. The colorful cartoonlike illustrations and the question/answer format of much of the text will appeal to youngsters wanting a pet. Titles of books and websites offer resources for further information. Part of the “Do You Really Want a Pet?” series. Reviewer: Phyllis Kennemer, Ph.D.; Ages 6 to 10.
