Nate the Great and the Tardy Tortoise

October 1, 1995
Gr 1-3-A fun adventure that will keep beginning readers guessing to the very end. When Nate discovers a tortoise eating the flowers in his yard, he and his faithful companion Sludge set out to find its home. Young readers will delight in following the boy and his dog as they search for clues, a search that leads to tuna-fish cupcakes, a red sock, and a visit to the veterinarian. It isn't until Nate retraces the tortoise's trail of destruction that the mystery is finally solved. The familiar comical text and full-color illustrations will delight both fans and newcomers to the series. Sure to please.-Denise Furgione, Atlantic County Library, Mays Landing, NJ

October 1, 1995
Gr. 1^-3. Nate the Great discovers a tortoise eating the flowers in his garden and vows to help him find his way home. When his client proves uncommunicative, the determined sleuth ("I, Nate the Great, will never give up" ) follows the tortoise's trail of nibbled plants back to his grateful owner. As with other books in the series, this beginning reader has a sure sense of style in both writing and illustration. Simont's expressive drawings, touched with watercolors, ensure that even the simplest picture is worth a second look. An entertaining addition to a popular series. ((Reviewed Oct. 1, 1995))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 1995, American Library Association.)