Author(s): Mary-Ann Orchard (Illustrator); Tahnee McShane

Tasmanian

Annabel is a five-year-old girl who lives in a treehouse with her best friend, Turtle. In Annabel and Turtle, the pair visits the beach, where they collaboratively build an impressive sandcastle city. Turtle cries in disappointment when the waves wash away his sandcastle and Annabel must do her best to make him feel better.

The world in which Annabel and Turtle live is beautifully conveyed through Mary-Ann Orchard's illustrations. They are hand drawn in pencil with bright colours that will appeal to children.

The text, carefully crafted by children's author and educator, Tahnee McShane, provides an excellent opportunity for classroom reading to early readers, with large words incorporated into the text for sounding out. The text is easy and uncomplicated for tired parents to read to their little ones at bedtime. The Annabel and Turtle series addresses themes of growth-mindset, grit, empathy, resilience, friendship, problem-solving.