I’m moving at the speed of turtles this week (to quote Oscar at Hermit’s Door), but it’s been a turtally wonderful time for Myrtle (to quote Gallivanta).
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First: Is this not the sweetest face?
Meet Aggiliki, 6, whose photo was taken by mom Theano, of Whitby, Ontario. Thank you, Theano and Aggiliki, for this delightful photo, and for loving Myrtle the Purple Turtle!
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Second: Myrtle has been translated into French, thanks to Jean Long and Jessica Charnock.
When they first read Myrtle the Purple Turtle, Jessica noticed that Jean was translating the words into French as he read. They quickly offered to do a written translation for publication, and of course I said, “Yes, thank you very much!”
You may remember Jean and Jessica. A French-Canadian couple, he’s a former teacher and vice-principal, and she’s a former high fashion model, secretary and wine importer. Both are extremely creative (see my blog posts about their remarkable creations).
Myrtle will also get a French name! More on that later.
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Third: At my family church, St. Thomas’ Anglican in the village of Brooklin (northeast of Toronto), 7 year old Makayla marched up to me this morning. She clearly and politely requested her very own copy of Myrtle, paid for it, and waited as I signed it.
It was part of a successful fundraising book-sale at St. Thomas’ today. Money raised will benefit the parish’s good works.
Fellow author Paul Mason also kindly contributed books to the sale. We both feel privileged to do this. Our families have both experienced the loving kindness for which this church is known.
Fourth, Myrtle has been blessed with more positive reviews. I’m over the moon with gratitude to these terrific bloggers who took the time to read Myrtle the Purple Turtle recently and review it. This is a magnificent gift and I thank you all:
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And finally, an elegant, well-known friend of mine, who — to protect the guilty — shall only be identified as Rita D, decided to one-up my friend Mandy and me after we painted our fingernails purple. Yes, she had her toenails painted purple.
Having recently recovered from injuring her leg, Rita decided to celebrate by getting a pedicure, and she chose purple to honour Myrtle.
Mandy and I are pleased to be one-upped by you, Rita. Thank you!
So there we go. A series of events that have a certain purple turtle — and tons of loving kindness — in common.
Be well, my friends! Thanks always for being there.
Cynthia Reyes 
Cynthia! This is great! I love the cartoon of you too! Wonderful!
Thank you, dear Donna!
GREAT NEWS, Cynthia – Don’t forget to let me know when Myrtle becomes available in French (Spanish, German, Japanese, etc) so I can let everyone else know as well 😎
Absolutely, Chris. Thank you! And I owe you a radio interview. Will do soon.
👍😃❤️
Reading this post in Paris – so perfect to learn that the wonderful Myrtle La Tortue will have a French identity! Bravo à vous! 😀
Et merci beaucoup, madame. Enjoy yourself, girlfriend!
Yes that is the sweetest face, and good for you for putting that smile on it.
I’ve always liked purple but it is getting more popular by the day or should I say that Myrtle is. 😀
Lovely news Cynthia and thank you for the mention.. hugs ♥
I am so thrilled for you and all the good that has come from one small children’s book. Who would have thought and it is probably only the beginning.
You are so right. “Who would have thought”, indeed! It’s amazing for me to see how this book is touching people. Gee whiz, it sat in a drawer for decades!
Wow! What a week! Purple is definitely *the* colour to be!
It’s lovely to know that Myrtle is bi-lingual and that she is helping to raise money for good works. I suppose when you’ve been hidden away for so long there’s no time to lose; you just gotta get out there and turtally shine your shell. 🙂
Turtally!
🙂 🙂
Many congratulations. Will you lose the rhyming title? (tortue)
No, Derrick, but finding just the right title in another language for a “little person” who is such a character already — that’s been a challenge.
I wait to see 🙂
How exciting – a multi-lingual turtle!!! Congratulations on the continued success Cynthia!
Tina – you made me smile. I never thought of it like that — a multi-lingual turtle! But I should have — this is Canada after all. Thank you.
Such wonderful news! However, I must hang my head in shame. I do not know the French word for “turtle.” I’ll be looking it up as soon as I’m done typing this comment.
tortue
Thanks, Cynthia! I did look it up. Now I know.
I love Aggiliki’s sweet face and Rita’s purple toes. It goes to show what a wonderful friend you are (as well as author) that people go out of their way to rejoice with you and Myrtle. Well done, and thank you for the mention, dear Cynthia. ❤
Blessings ~ Wendy
Thank you very much, Wendy. I can’t believe the number of photos coming in from parents and grandparents. So kind and great fun too. I got one last evening that made me giggle out loud.
I hope you’ll post it. Giggles are good. 🙂
How nice to know what you are doing these days! And Myrtle in French!
Thank you, Jo Nell. Jean and Jessica are so thoughtful to do this translation.
This is all so exciting! Myrtle is taking the world by storm!
It is very exciting, Kerry. And good to see the impact of one little purple turtle. Glad you’re excited too!
Congratulations, Cynthia! What a blessing your book is to so many.
It certainly seems to be blessing many, Jill, both children and adults. I’m deeply honoured, and grateful.
Tres bon mon ami ❤
Merci beaucoup, madame!
A huge congratulations on all of Myrtle’s wonderful successes! And thank you so much for the mention. 🙂
And thank you for contributing to Myrtle’s success, Sheryl. I’m grateful.
I am sure Myrtle, or what ever her French name will be, will be a great success in French too. French speaking kids deserve to know her too. I hope to capture a nice picture of my grandie when she receives Myrtle for Christmas 🙂
Please do, Tiny! I’d be so glad to receive that picture from you!
Congrats on the translation!! And those two little girls are very cute. I hope Myrtle continues to reach lots of kids. And you’re looking pretty good yourself signing behind that table!
Thank you, Arlingwoman! 4 times, thank you.
Glad it is going so well. Lovely pics too… yes even the feet;-)
Cheers
MTM
Thanks, MT. You know how important this time is. I am trying hard to pace myself, while doing everything I can.
That’s all you can do. 🙂 keep an eye on those spoons.
How exciting, Myrtle is really going places 🙂
She sure is, Andrea, thanks in part to your wonderful support of Myrtle. Your review knocked my socks off and had a big impact on our whole family.
Myrtle in French .. well done! Love that the little girl bought the book and waited for it to be signed. Wonderful ..
Yes, it is, Julie. And Malayka is a lovely young miss whom I was privileged to meet.
The photos of the children with their books are beautiful! Aggiliki does have the sweetest face. 🙂
Good to see Myrtle in French now, Cynthia. She is well on her way to becoming a world traveler! Thank you, Jean Long and Jessica Charnock!
And THANK YOU for your kind support of Myrtle, Lavinia. Myrtle is lucky to have you on her side. I’m so grateful for everything you’ve done.
We are all here for each other. I am grateful to have you in my world! 🙂
Cynthia! This is great and amazing – I enjoyed your wonderful, meaningful post, its so important and needed in our community, this should be very helpful to our kids and educational programs!!
A lot of good news Cynthia . The nook is well launched .
I am glad it is translated in French .
You speak of a mother and her daughter from Whitby near Toronto. I was in Whitbu in December 2001 fro a stay of a week long. .
Love ❤
Michel
How wonderful that Myrtle is – hmmm. I want to say `making such strides’, but that doesn’t quite fit. That Myrtle is really in the swim! And translated to Francais! Incroyable!