2018 Colour of the Year, A Good Home, Myrtle The Purple Turtle, Purple

The Future is Purple

So says Pantone, the colour people. (But they call it ‘ultra violet’, mind you.)

And so declared Lauren, for whom Myrtle was originally written. She promptly created this image using a picture from Myrtle the Purple Turtle

Image may contain: text

I seem to be spying purple everywhere these days! Here’s Queen Elizabeth, looking very fashion-forward:

Image may contain: 2 people, people smiling, people standing

~~

And what’s better than a box-fort? I love this photo of Nadine Janetta’s two daughters Ella (4) and Leah (2). (Eldest daughter Brooklyn is only partly in the photo.)

Nadine, who lives southwest of Toronto, says, “It was the perfect cozy place to cuddle up with your book.”

Blog Photo - Myrtle being read by girls in box

“The girls have fallen in love with Myrtle and her friends in this well-told story of self acceptance – Myrtle the Purple Turtle has become the most read and asked-for book in our home.”

Ella, who is 4, says she likes the picture of me in the book. (Thanks, Ella!) She likes the book “because Myrtle falls asleep on her back” and  “because she wants to be the same as the other turtles because she is purple”.

Brooklyn, who is 8, says: “It shows me that everyone’s different and you can’t change that.”

Nadine is one of three winners in the Myrtle giveaway in October.   The others are bloggers Alethea Kehas (New Hampshire) and Brad Volz (Arkansas). 

Their responses to Myrtle are lovely.

Myrtle the Purple Turtle
Myrtle the Purple Turtle, by Cynthia Reyes, illustrated by Jo Robinson

Alethea says Myrtle is “a beautifully written and illustrated tale of friendship and acceptance. I’m pretty sure I enjoyed it as much as my niece!” 

Brad calls Myrtle “a timely and timeless story most needed in our troubled world. Myrtle the Purple Turtle is a delightful book to help teach children to embrace both their uniqueness and shared humanity.” 

Thank you all! And remember: #loveyourshell!

 

 

A Good Home, Children's Books, Illustrated Books, Myrtle The Purple Turtle, New Children's Books

Purple Toenails and … Myrtle Becomes French?

 

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).

~~

First: Is this not the sweetest face?  

Blog Photo - Myrtle book held by Aggeliki - 6 yrs old - mother Theano takes photo

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! 

~~

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!”

Blog Photo - Jean and Jessica

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.

~~

Blog Photo - St Thomas' Church Ext New and Old

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.

Blog Photo - Myrtle fan at St Thomas church

It was part of a successful fundraising book-sale at St. Thomas’ today. Money raised will benefit the parish’s good works. 

blog-photo-st-thomas-church-stained-glass-trio.jpg

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.

Blog Photo - St Thomas' Church LOVE stained glass
Above 4 photos by Hamlin Grange

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:

Sally Cronin

Wendy Macdonald

Gallivanta 

Sheryl Normandeau

Oscar Larson

~~

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.

Blog Photo - Myrtle and Rita Purple Nails

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.