How the Turtle Got Its Shell by Justine Fontes, Ron Fontes, and Keiko Motoyama is a charming retelling of a traditional folktale that explains how turtles came to have their protective shells. Through the turtle’s journey, young readers learn about resilience, adaptability, and the value of unique traits. The story encourages appreciation for differences and fosters curiosity about animal characteristics in a fun, imaginative way.

Here's some examples of how we use this How the Turtle Got Its Shell in our homeschool literature unit based on this book: 

• Cultural Studies Intersection: Through reading this book, children explore a variety of cultural beliefs and storytelling traditions, demonstrating the universal human quest to explain the natural world. 
• Environmental Lessons: The book serves as a springboard for discussions about the natural habitat of turtles, the importance of shells in the animal kingdom, and broader environmental science topics. These discussions are supported by hands-on activities like creating turtle shell models using eco-friendly materials.
• Creative Writing and Art Projects: Children are invited to write their own mythical tales about animals of their choosing, drawing inspiration from the book. Additionally, art projects related to the book’s themes allow for exploration of different artistic techniques and media.
• Critical Thinking and Comparative Analysis: Students engage in comparative analysis of the different myths presented in the book as they discuss similarities and differences.