Love Truman? Readers share 100 books like Truman...

By Jean Reidy, Lucy Ruth Cummins (illustrator),

Here are 100 books that Truman fans have personally recommended if you like Truman. Shepherd is a community of 12,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

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Book cover of Jabari Jumps

Jeff Mack Author Of Scaredy Cats

From my list on childrenā€™s picture books about facing your fears.

Why am I passionate about this?

If you want to live your best life, youā€™ll need to face some fears. Iā€™ve faced a lot of my fears: great white sharks, sky-diving, caves, spiders, meat sauces. Iā€™m still scared, but what else can I do? Stay in bed my whole life? I love writing and illustrating for kids. Itā€™s how Iā€™ve spent the last twenty years. Iā€™ve written and/or illustrated almost fifty books. The scariest part is figuring out how to start. Thinking of an ending is scary too. Then thereā€™s all that stuff in the middle. Ugh! My first books about facing fears were Hippo and Rabbit. Now, Scaredy Cats. Fear gives me ideas!

Jeff's book list on childrenā€™s picture books about facing your fears

Jeff Mack Why did Jeff love this book?

I feel like I lived this story as a kid. Iā€™ll bet a lot of kids do. A young boy overcomes his fear of the high dive. 

Step by step, Gaia Cornwall takes us through Jabariā€™s jump. Jabari starts by telling his dad heā€™s not scared at all. He clearly is. He delays, makes excuses. Dad never pushes. He wants this to be Jabariā€™s decision, Jabariā€™s victory. Itā€™s so relatable, the perspective even changes to first person once Jabari is high above the pool. 

Everything rings true. Itā€™s exactly what a scared kid would say and do. Itā€™s exactly what I said and did when I was Jabariā€™s age trying to summon my own courage on the high dive. Except when I hit the water, my swim trunks fell off.

By Gaia Cornwall,

Why should I read it?

6 authors picked Jabari Jumps as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

Working up the courage to take a big, important leap is hard, but Jabari is almost absolutely ready to make a giant splash.

In a sweet tale of overcoming your fears, debut author-illustrator Gaia Cornwall captures a moment at the swimming pool between a patient and encouraging father and a determined little boy you can't help but root for. Jabari is definitely ready to jump off the diving board. He's finished his swimming lessons and passed his swimming test, and he's a great jumper, so he's not scared at all. "Looks easy," says Jabari, watching the other kids take theirā€¦


Book cover of There Might Be Lobsters

Lisa Katzenberger Author Of It Will Be OK: A Story of Empathy, Kindness, and Friendship

From my list on facing your fears.

Why am I passionate about this?

Iā€™m a picture book writer who struggles with anxiety. Some things that seem like no big deal to most people can become a very big worry for me (like Giraffe worries about Spider in It Will Be OK). I found that identifying and naming our emotionsā€”in this case fearā€”makes it easier to address our feelings and work through them. I want to share my experience of being fearful of things, both big and small, with children to let them know they are not alone and they can have power over scary emotions.

Lisa's book list on facing your fears

Lisa Katzenberger Why did Lisa love this book?

I love this bookā€™s unique approach to sharing a story about fear ā€“ it lists all the wild ruminations that can run through our minds. In this case, itā€™s a dog Sukie who is not enjoying a trip to the beach because, among other worries, there might be lobsters! Sukieā€™s list of fears grows and grows as the story goes on, and she is paralyzed in the sand ā€“ until her precious toy Chunka Munka is swept into the water. Sukie lets love overpower her fear and jumps into the water without a worry to save her precious friend. Itā€™s a wonderful story about what we are willing to do to overcome our fear for the sake of others.

By Carolyn Crimi, Laurel Molk (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked There Might Be Lobsters as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 3, 4, 5, and 6.

What is this book about?

Come on, Sukie, you can do it! A little dogā€™s paralyzing anxiety gives way to bravery when someone smaller is in need in this humorous, tenderly sympathetic story.

Lots of things at the beach scare Sukie. Lots. Because she is just a small dog, and the stairs are big and sandy, and the waves are big and whooshy, and the balls are big and beachy. And besides, there might be lobsters. With endearing illustrations and a perfectly paced text that captures a timid pupā€™s looping thoughts, here is a funny and honest read-aloud about how overwhelming the world can beā€¦


Book cover of Ruby Finds a Worry

Lisa Katzenberger Author Of It Will Be OK: A Story of Empathy, Kindness, and Friendship

From my list on facing your fears.

Why am I passionate about this?

Iā€™m a picture book writer who struggles with anxiety. Some things that seem like no big deal to most people can become a very big worry for me (like Giraffe worries about Spider in It Will Be OK). I found that identifying and naming our emotionsā€”in this case fearā€”makes it easier to address our feelings and work through them. I want to share my experience of being fearful of things, both big and small, with children to let them know they are not alone and they can have power over scary emotions.

Lisa's book list on facing your fears

Lisa Katzenberger Why did Lisa love this book?

As an expert worrier, I really related to this book about a spunky girl named Ruby who one day discovers a worry. What I love about this book is that the worry is illustrated, so we can see its intimidating facial expression and watch it grow in size. The worry follows Ruby to all her favorite placesā€”the school bus, the swing set, the moviesā€”and it prevents her from doing what she loves. But itā€™s not until she spots another worry sitting with a boy that she is able to face her fear about the worry and do the best thing ever ā€“ talk about it. I love how this story shows children that talking about our feelings gives us power and strength to work through them.

By Tom Percival,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Ruby Finds a Worry as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 3, 4, 5, and 6.

What is this book about?

The beloved picture book about what to do when a worry won't leave you at alone -- perfect for reassuring young readers in times of stress.

Meet Ruby -- a happy, curious, imaginative young girl. But one day, she finds something unexpected: a Worry. It's not such a big Worry, at first. But every day, it grows a little bigger . . . and a little bigger . . . . Until eventually, the Worry is ENORMOUS and is all she can think about.

But when Ruby befriends a young boy, she discovers that everyone has worries, and not onlyā€¦


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Book cover of The Ballad of Falling Rock

The Ballad of Falling Rock by Jordan Dotson,

Truth told, folks still ask if Saul Crabtree sold his soul for the perfect voice. If he sold it to angels or devils. A Bristol newspaper once asked: ā€œAre his love songs closer to heaven than dying?ā€ Others wonder how he wrote a song so sad, everyone who heard itā€¦

Book cover of Me and My Fear

Why am I passionate about this?

Growing up in an Iraqi Jewish immigrant family in Sydney, Australia, meant that I was always different, without the words or emotional tools to navigate the world around me. Luckily, I was a reader, and so I learned through books Social Emotional Learning (SEL) tools to deal with anxiety and loneliness and develop qualities of empathy, bravery, and the understanding that we donā€™t have to be the same but can celebrate our cultural and personal differences. Reading with children is a wonderful opportunity to enter their worlds whilst building their social and emotional skills, such as managing emotions, problem-solving, and creating positive relationships.

Sarah's book list on picture books to develop your childā€™s Social Emotional Learning (SEL) skills in a fun way

Sarah Sassoon Why did Sarah love this book?

This is one of my favorite books about how to deal with fear. Fear is such a natural emotion, and sometimes it can be really intense; I loved how Francesca Sanna introduces Fear as a cute character, which children and adults can both relate to.

I know what itā€™s like to be a new kid in a new country, so when Fear grows so big that Fear overwhelms the little girl and takes over, I really felt for her. Of course, bravery is called for to overcome Fear and make friends with a new boy. For me, the most reassuring message was that the new friend also has his Fear character, who he carries with him, as we all do.

By Francesca Sanna,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Me and My Fear as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 3, 4, 5, and 6.

What is this book about?

A beautiful tale of conquering fears and spreading empathy from award-winning author and illustrator Francesca Sanna.When a young girl has to travel to a new country and start at a new school, her Fear tells her to be alone and afraid. How can she hope to make friends if she doesn't understand their language?

A heart-warming and relevant new tale from the bestselling author and illustrator of The Journey, this book shows us the importance of sharing your Fear with others - after all, everyone carries a Fear with them, even if it's small enough to fit into their pocket!


Book cover of Nightlights

Stephanie Cooke Author Of Paranorthern: And the Chaos Bunny A-Hop-Calypse

From my list on magical middle-grade graphic novels.

Why am I passionate about this?

As a kid, I was obsessed with the fantastical, especially when it came to books. I was constantly trying to find my own door to Narnia to go off on an incredible adventure. While I never found a door that led to another world, I found that books offered me a similar experienceā€¦and all from the comfort of my fave places to read. Magic is still something Iā€™m enthralled with and love exploring in books I read as well as the ones I write. And these are some of my favorite magical graphic novels.

Stephanie's book list on magical middle-grade graphic novels

Stephanie Cooke Why did Stephanie love this book?

This story plays more on our own insecurities and how that can take on a form of its own that torments us. Young people donā€™t always have the experience to put to words the things theyā€™re feeling but not knowing if weā€™re good enough and the anxiety that stems from that is very relatable and universal. Lorena Alvarez does an incredible job of telling a story that weaves that in while presenting stunning, jaw-dropping art to her audience.

By Lorena Alvarez,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Nightlights as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 12, 13, 14, and 15.

What is this book about?

Every night, tiny stars appear out of the darkness in Sandy's bedroom.
Sandy catches them and creates wonderful creatures to play with until she falls asleep, and in the morning brings them back to life in the whimsical drawings that cover her room. One day, a mysterious pale girl called Morfie appears at school and is fascinated by Sandy's drawings in a way that no one else has been before. But there is a price to pay for this new friendship...


Book cover of Rodney Was A Tortoise

E.B. Bartels Author Of Good Grief: On Loving Pets, Here and Hereafter

From my list on teaching kids about pet death.

Why am I passionate about this?

Iā€™m someone who has had a lot of pets in my lifeā€“ā€“dogs, fish, birds, turtles, tortoisesā€“ā€“which means Iā€™m also someone who has had a lot of pets in my life die, because the worst thing about pets is they donā€™t live as long as we do. I spent ten years writing Good Grief, but really, Iā€™ve been researching Good Grief my whole life, ever since my first pet died. This list includes some classics I loved when I was a kid, and some newer titles that I learned about while researching Good Grief. All are wonderful and will be a balm during a hard time.  

E.B.'s book list on teaching kids about pet death

E.B. Bartels Why did E.B. love this book?

I have always had a soft spot for turtles and tortoises (I currently have two pet red-foot tortoises, Terrence and Twyla) and so I love this book because it deals with the loss of a more unusual pet.

Lots of people have dogs and cats, so often the death of a canine or feline pet is easier for others to understandā€“ā€“but people get sad about all kinds of pets dying, everything from tortoises to tarantulas. I wish Iā€™d had this picture book when my first pet tortoise, Aristotle, ran away when I was in middle school.

Even people I know who love, love, love their dogs and cats didnā€™t fully get why I was so upset about ā€œjust a reptile.ā€ But Nan Forler totally gets it! Tortoises are the best.

By Nan Forler, Yong Ling Kang,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Rodney Was A Tortoise as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 3, 4, 5, and 6.

What is this book about?

This comforting and gently humorous picture book about bereavement and the strength of friendship shows how a child overcomes the sadness of her beloved pet's death.

Bernadette and Rodney are the best of friends. Rodney's not so good at playing cards, but he's great at staring contests. His favorite food is lettuce, though he eats it VERRRRRRY SLOOOOOWLY. And he's such a joker! When Bernadette goes to sleep at night, Rodney is always there, watching over her from his tank. 
 
As the seasons pass, Rodney moves slower and slower, until one day he stops moving at all. Without Rodney, Bernadetteā€¦


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Book cover of This Animal Body

This Animal Body by Meredith Walters,

Neuroscience PhD student Frankie Conner has finally gotten her life togetherā€”sheā€™s determined to discover the cause of her depression and find a cure for herself and everyone like her. But the first day of her program, she meets a group of talking animals who have an urgent message they refuseā€¦

Book cover of The Windward Road: Adventures of a Naturalist on Remote Caribbean Shores

Sharika Crawford Author Of The Last Turtlemen of the Caribbean: Waterscapes of Labor, Conservation, and Boundary Making

From my list on the maritime Caribbean.

Why am I passionate about this?

Although my Midwestern roots in southwest Michigan situated me far away from the sea, I am now an expert on small islands and remote communities in the greater Caribbean. As a result, I grew to understand that much of the everyday lived experiences of island people must contend with the sea. As a result, I have spent the last two decades studying topics such as migration, fishing, and even conservation as related to small islands from the better-known Cayman Islands to the lesser-known San AndrƩs and Providencia Islands. I am a history professor at the US Naval Academy.

Sharika's book list on the maritime Caribbean

Sharika Crawford Why did Sharika love this book?

The Windward Road is a whimsical yet eye-opening account of the lesser-explored communities who hunted and ate turtles along the Caribbean coast of Central America and islands in the Caribbean Sea. Although Archie Carr was a renowned herpetologist, he was also a superb storyteller. His adventures will undoubtedly make you laugh, squirm, and empathize with the turtles and the communities that hunted them.

By Archie Carr,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Windward Road as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Originally published in 1956, The Windward Road helped set in motion a movement to protect sea turtles that spread throughout the world and remains strong today. Archie Carr's unmatched style of nature writing, accessible to experienced naturalists and laypersons alike, explores some of nature's darkest mysteries with humour and much delight. His delightful stories of exploring the Caribbean while researching green turtles brings to life his deep passion for the people and biological diversity of the tropics.


Book cover of Trouble at Turtle Pond

Naila Moreira Author Of The Monarchs of Winghaven

From my list on making kids feel like mighty eco-warriors.

Why am I passionate about this?

Iā€™ve loved both nature and writing since childhood. My birdwatching and prior work as a geologist have taken me to the coasts, forests, and grasslands of New England, the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, Brazil, and beyond. Through it all, Iā€™ve kept my pen busy writing about my adventures. A former writer-in-residence at the Shoals Marine Laboratory in Maine and beach naturalist with the Seattle Aquarium, I now teach at Smith College in Massachusetts, where I live with my family, many notebooks, and a garden full of native plants and wild birds. 

Naila's book list on making kids feel like mighty eco-warriors

Naila Moreira Why did Naila love this book?

This story about two kidsā€™ efforts to save endangered Blandingā€™s turtles reminded me of beautiful days in my childhood.

One summer, I worked for a biologist on a census of rare spotted turtles. Milesā€™ and Piaā€™s adventures, and all this bookā€™s careful details, brought me back to the sound of our paddles cutting the water, monstrous snapping turtles floating past, and the elbow-deep plunge to pull the black shell and gleaming yellow spots of our target from the weeds. 

I also related to the struggles of Rennā€™s protagonist, Miles, as he flips between the hyper focus and distractibility of ADHD. I rooted for him all the way through his mistakes and victories to protect the wildlife of Turtle Pond against a mysterious enemy.

By Diana Renn,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Trouble at Turtle Pond as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

When eleven-year-old Miles moves to Marsh Hollow, heā€™s desperate for a fresh start. At his last school, his ADHD-related challenges earned him a reputation as a troublemaker and cost him his friends, especially after he lost a beloved class pet. With just one chance to make a first impression, ā€œMayhem Milesā€ is determined to do something great in this town. Like solving a mystery. After witnessing people burying something in his neighborā€™s backyard one night, heā€™s sure thereā€™s troubleā€”and this time, itā€™s not his fault. When his other neighbor, Pia, invites him to join the Backyard Rangers to help protectā€¦


Book cover of A Natural Passion

Mark Love Author Of Devious

From my list on contemporary cozy mysteries.

Why am I passionate about this?

Iā€™m a contemporary mystery junkie. Realistic tales always grab my attention. A touch of romance never hurts. In college, one professor suggested the old ā€˜write what you knowā€™ approach. I donā€™t know everything, but I know what I like. Mysteries! I thrive on distinctive characters, those who are willing to put every effort into getting to the bottom of the situation. Sharp, tight dialogue and descriptions are essential. Give me that, and Iā€™ll be back for more. This is my passion. Come along if you want a thrill and a surprise or two. 

Mark's book list on contemporary cozy mysteries

Mark Love Why did Mark love this book?

This book has all the ingredients for an engaging story. I loved the way Mannersly sets the stage, with Dylan, the slightly older supervisor, whoā€™s obviously smitten with the lovely Kyra and the bossā€™s spoiled son, Max, who seems to have caught her eye as well. 

Using the marine science center in Australia as the setting works perfectly. Identifying and stopping poachers from stealing turtle eggs from their nests puts a nice twist on the usual crime-related stories. Mannersly does a wonderful job of creating realistic and believable characters. Great dialogue and descriptive passages tie this story together.

By Tammy Mannersly,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked A Natural Passion as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Dylan Oā€™Day has been an exemplary marine biologist for years, constantly devoted to the protection and preservation of the natural world. Yet lately, he has a new passion, one thatā€™s distracting his once focused thoughts. Though a decade older than her and her trusted mentor, Dylan hasnā€™t been able to stop thinking about the new intern. Heā€™s never met a person quite like Kyra before, someone so genuine and caring, and who understands his love of environmental conservation. Itā€™s just too bad his age and situation put him in an ethical dilemma. Should he risk it all for a chanceā€¦


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Book cover of Forsaking Home

Forsaking Home by I. Graham Smith,

Forsaking Home is a story about the life of a man who wants a better future for his children. He and his wife decide to join Earth's first off-world colony. This story is about risk takers and courageous settlers and what they would do for more freedom. 

Book cover of Yertle the Turtle

Alex Beard Author Of The Lying King

From my list on parables that teach us valuable lessons.

Why am I passionate about this?

The role of the parable is an important one to help understand the roots of right and wrong. We live in such a fractured and untrusting world, that I think itā€™s important to rediscover the simple truths of honesty and integrity over-ambition, and the pursuit of power for its own sake. And so, I have an interest in the topic because I am a citizen hoping for a better world, and an expertise in the subject because Iā€™m a father raising two children in that same fractious environment.

Alex's book list on parables that teach us valuable lessons

Alex Beard Why did Alex love this book?

Dr. Seuss is the master of the parable. Yertle the Turtle is a classic example of an illustrated picture book with a point about the pitfalls of unbridled ambition, and while I chose this book to highlight, The Lorax is another great example of a story with an equally consequential moral.

By Dr. Seuss,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Yertle the Turtle as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 3, 4, 5, and 6.

What is this book about?

In this hilarious book, featuring three timeless fables, Dr. Seuss explores the pitfalls of growing too big for your boots!

King Yertle the Turtle soon learns the pitfalls of becoming too big for your boots, in the first tale in this hilarious trio of classic Dr. Seuss fables!

As part of a major rebrand programme, HarperCollins is relaunching Dr. Seuss's bestselling books, including such perennial favourites as The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham and Fox in Socks. In response to consumer demand, the bright new cover designs incorporate much needed guidance on reading levels, with the standardā€¦


Book cover of Jabari Jumps
Book cover of There Might Be Lobsters
Book cover of Ruby Finds a Worry

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Interested in turtles, girls, and pets?

Turtles 16 books
Girls 93 books
Pets 56 books