As a children's parable, this story can work just fine to teach kids a "be yourself not who others think you should be" moral.

But if you look at this as an adult in the context of LGBTQ+ controversies, it raises the question: are transgendered people more like the fox who wakes up in a turtle shell and is forced to be a turtle rather than a fox, or more like turtle who wants to be a fox and removes his shell in favor of a fur coat? ( )

This book is so adorable and fun to read. It was written to help teach kids the importance of accepting others, and will no doubt succeed in that goal thanks to the main character - a bouncing young fox who tumbles into a turtle shell one day and is then raised as a turtle...although, something never feels quite right. I think kids will love the rhyming verses as well as the eye-grabbing text, which frequently changes size and color, and even interacts with the surrounding illustrations (at one point for example an acorn bounces off the word "log"). The greatest strength of the text is that the verses are unfailingly playful, never pushy or preachy. In language that's elegant yet simple to understand, the story explains how it feels to be innately different, to struggle with that identity, to find acceptance, and finally to "come out of your shell" and be who you truly are. Readers of any age will root for the brave little fox and close the book with greater compassion for the "normal turtles" they meet in real life. ( )

A Normal Turtle by Doug Reynolds tells the story of how a fox became a turtle. Not ever feeling right in his shell, the fox broke out one day to live his true identity. While written with a focus on LGBTQ children, the author’s message is one which will resonate with any child, and parents, who society deems different. It simply was an astounding story illustrated with beautiful drawings. Thank you, Doug, for writing such a clear story that depicts love and acceptance all children can relate to. There is no parent to whom I would not hesitate to recommend this book. ( )