I thought that this was a lovely book

It is very well written and it has a lovely natural flow to the story.

The story is one that I really enjoyed and I loved the characters in the book.

The illustrations in the book are wonderful and they brought the book to life.

I loved the messaging through the book and the ending was great too.

It is 5 stars from me for this one - very highly recommended!

Shelly and the Golden Shell is a touching children’s book about Shelly, a young turtle who feels different from her colorful peers due to her plain shell. On her journey of self-discovery, Shelly learns that beauty and worth come from within.. The moment Shelly's shell transforms at the mystical waterfall, revealing her true colors, is both magical and moving. I thoroughly enjoyed this story for its gentle approach to themes of self-acceptance and individuality. It's a wonderful book to share with children, teaching them the importance of embracing who they are.

Hey, got kids? Grab ‘em and start reading Shelly and the Golden Shell! 🐢✨ Shelly’s not your average turtle—her shell’s all dull, but man, does she glow up! This book’s got magic, adventure, and a little turtle with a big heart learning to rock what she’s got. David Bodzin’s words and Maria Savko’s pics? Chef’s kiss! 🍴💋 Perfect story for showing the littles how to love themselves just as they are. Trust me, you’ll wanna read it over and over. Why? ‘Cause who doesn’t love a good glow-up story with a sprinkle of magic? Grab your copy and let’s turn bedtime into magic time! 🌟📚

The ugly duckling in beautiful turtle form. The book follows Shelley the turtle as she gets mean comments as her shell isn’t as bright as her friends. She sets out to find out how to be beautiful and tries various things, including using tree sap to stick golden bits to her. They fall off, which made my little one almost cry. The gorgeous moral is that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and we are all gorgeous, especially with the suns rays bouncing off a wet shell. Lovely.

"Shelly and the Golden Shell" is a heartwarming story that interested me because of how I thought it may relate to my students. It follows Shelly, a young turtle who feels out of place because her shell isn't as colorful as her peers. On her journey of self-discovery, she finds a magical waterfall that transforms her shell, revealing her true beauty and inner strength.

The story teaches children that their value comes from within and encourages self-acceptance. My favorite part is how it imparts the lesson that everyone is unique and valued for who they are. This beautifully illustrated tale is perfect for bedtime or classroom reading, inspiring kids to embrace their individuality. Would recommend for elementary teachers for their classrooms!