The Turtle Ship
THE TURTLE SHIP sailed into the world in 2018!
The story is about a young boy who dares to dream BIG, even though people laugh at him. Inspired by his pet turtle, he enters a national contest for the best battleship design. The tale is based loosely on true facts about the Korean hero Admiral Yi Sun-sin and his incredible turtle ship, the first ironclad vessel ever made. Brilliant artist Colleen Kong-Savage illustrated the book with exquisite paper collage.
The book earned a Freeman Honor and named one of Bank Street’s Best Children’s Books of 2019. The artist Colleen Kong-Savage also won the Ezra Jack Keats Showcase Prize in 2021 — BRAVA, Colleen!
See more book details on Lee & Low’s website.
Download a copy of the teacher’s guide.
Praise
“The illustrations and the narrative work together wonderfully to tell this fascinating episode in Korean naval history. A great mix of myth and history for most picture book collections.” —School Library Journal (Starred Review)
“Rhee’s smoothly paced story arc will read aloud well, while Kong-Savage’s striking, precise paper-collage scenes are equally effective in conveying the sweeping drama of ocean views and the personality and warmth in close-ups of Gobugi’s small, green face.” —Publisher’s Weekly
“[T]his debut packs a double punch modeling the experimental process while spotlighting an intriguing historical figure and his warcraft.” —Kirkus Reviews
