eLit Gold Award: Best Children's Book (All Ages) Category
When young Leonardo da Vinci, a busboy, was asked to make turtle soup, one of the turtles begged for his life! It was Tuttle. Tuttle, tried to convince Leonardo that there is a big world out there, and he could show him all about it, if he would just take a chance.
In this comic misadventure series, we explain why Leonardo da Vinci stood out from the rest; a 16th century mind, able to solve 20th century problems and beyond. How did he do it? Who was his muse? The answer is Tuttle, an ancient turtle, who was the secret muse and mentor of a young Leonardo da Vinci.
This is the first in a series of children's fiction books "Leonardo's Secret: Clean Up Your Act!" following the life of "Tuttle the Turtle". A turtle who lived so long, he evolved into an independent thinking and speaking mastermind. Follow Tuttle as he influences many famous and sometimes infamous people throughout history.
Young Leonardo and Tuttle are faced with dilemmas that cause them to create wondrous inventions, so far ahead of their time, that no one else sees them for the grand ideas they really are. Through humor and chaos, Leonardo's inventions come to life, only to find out that everyone one else sees them for something different in the end.
Together, Leonardo and Tuttle embark on colorful and unpredictable adventures that allow for delightful family entertainment, while taking a fresh look at some of da Vinci's 6,000 most imaginative inventions!
Originally written as a screenplay, here are some of the KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror comments:
"Having a turtle behind his inventions is a humorous and creative way to get kids' attention. The last scene hooks you - when chaos reins and an invention is formed out of the disaster. Another hook - the tension when da Vinci thinks the turtle is getting baked. This is good, clean fun with a fun ending."
Animated Book Trailer:
