Leopold [Hardcover]

Leopold is an uplifting parable about a turtle overcoming his fears, as told by Dr. Ruth Westheimer, with beautiful, hand-painted illustrations by Suzanne Beaky. Dr. Ruth's grandson, Ben, is afraid to join the soccer team. To help out, she tells him the story of Leopold the Turtle, who always stays on the shore. It terrifies him to go join the other turtles and play in the water and sun on the rocks. Leopold just cant get out of his shell, and the longer he waits, the more he starts to doubt. Even though Leopold feels quite alone, he stays on the riverbank where its safe. But Freddy the Frog is a little concerned about Leopold and asks him to join them in the river. Leopold has to choose whether to brave the unknown and join his friends or to stay lonely and remain safe on land. In this charming, rhyming tale of a turtle too afraid to set foot in the river, Leopold proves that facing your fears can set you free.

All the young turtles were sunning on rocks.

There was Boxy, Snappy, Shelly, and Socks.

They were busy soaking up the sun's rays,

Something they always did on beautiful days.

Only Leopold remained on the shore;

It's not that he liked the shade so much more,

but he was too afraid to leave the safety of his home,

and so he stayed in one place, never to roam.

-Dr. Ruth is a widely known radio personality and advice columnist and will be heavily marketing the book through tours and media appearances.

-Leopold is a story about overcoming fears, which is the subject of many bestselling children's books to date.

-Hand-painted illustrations by Suzanne Beaky bring the story to life in full color.