23 Best Turtle Books for Preschoolers
Turtle books for preschoolers introduce young learners to these fascinating creatures through fun stories and colorful illustrations.
Whether your child loves adventure-filled tales or simple, fact-based picture books, there are plenty of great options to spark their curiosity.
This list includes some of the best books for children that highlight turtles in exciting and educational ways, making storytime both engaging and informative.
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Books About Turtles for Preschoolers
Turtles have always fascinated little ones, and the right books can bring these amazing creatures to life.
Whether it’s a sweet bedtime story, a fun adventure, or a simple nonfiction book packed with turtle facts, these picks will keep preschoolers engaged.
We’ve loved exploring these stories, and I hope your kids enjoy them just as much!
If your preschooler is constantly asking questions about turtles, this book is a great pick! It’s filled with bright photos, fun facts, and simple activities that help little ones learn about different types of turtles. My favorite part? It explains turtle shells in a way that’s easy for young kids to understand!
This sweet board book follows a little turtle on everyday adventures in nature. With its padded cover and sturdy pages, it’s perfect for tiny hands that love to explore books on their own. If your child enjoys simple, calming stories, this one will become a bedtime favorite.
A fun mix of counting and nature, this book follows ten turtles as they splash into the pond one by one. The rhythmic text and colorful illustrations make it an engaging read-aloud, and preschoolers love guessing which turtle will go next. Pair it with our free turtle math worksheets for extra learning fun!
This heartwarming story of a tiny turtle with a big heart is one of my favorites! When Truman’s owner heads off to school, he decides to set out on an adventure of his own. It’s a great book for kids struggling with separation anxiety, and the adorable illustrations make Truman even more lovable.
This hilarious book teaches kids that even though turtles and tortoises might look alike, they have their differences—just like friends! My son laughed at their grumpy exchanges, and it’s a great way to spark conversations about patience, understanding, and unlikely friendships.
Tuck the box turtle feels different from other turtles and sets out to find where he belongs. This beautifully illustrated book is perfect for teaching self-acceptance and embracing what makes us unique. If your child enjoys gentle, thoughtful stories, this one is a must-read.
This touch-and-feel book is a huge hit with curious little hands! Kids can explore different textures as they tickle, stroke, and feel their way through a playful turtle adventure. It’s a great sensory book for toddlers and younger preschoolers.
Related: Turtle worksheets for preschoolers
If your child loves interactive books, this one is a winner! It follows a baby sea turtle’s journey from hatching to the ocean, and kids can wiggle and flip along with the turtle’s movements. It’s a fun way to teach preschoolers about sea turtles’ first big adventure!
This book is a classic for young animal lovers! Gail Gibbons does an amazing job explaining the life cycle of sea turtles in a simple, engaging way. If your child asks “Where do sea turtles live?” or “Why do they come to shore?”, this book answers those questions with colorful illustrations.
A great first ocean book for toddlers and young preschoolers! With gentle rhymes and adorable illustrations, it introduces sea creatures—including baby turtles—while keeping little readers engaged. If your child is fascinated by ocean animals, this board book is a great addition to your collection.
For preschoolers who love action-packed stories, this set of 12 leveled readers combines the fun of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with early reading skills. While it's not about real turtles, it’s a great choice for reluctant readers who need extra motivation to practice phonics.
Related: Turtle games for preschoolers.
A funny, imaginative book that explores what turtles (and other animals) actually eat! It had my child giggling at the silly scenarios, while still learning about turtles’ real diets. If you’re looking for a book that blends humor with learning, this one is a great pick.
If your preschooler loves real photos and learning cool facts, this is the book for them! It has stunning images of different turtles and simple text that makes it easy for little learners to understand. It’s also a great choice for early readers who are starting to recognize words.
Related: Parts of a turtle worksheet.
A calm, cozy bedtime story that helps little ones settle in for the night. The soft, soothing text and gentle illustrations make it perfect for bedtime, and my child loved saying goodnight to the turtle on each page.
A beautiful retelling of a classic folktale that explains how turtles got their shells. It’s great for kids who love magical, storytelling-style books, and the colorful illustrations make it a fun read-aloud.
This early reader book is perfect for preschoolers who are starting to recognize words. With simple text and real photographs, it introduces kids to sea turtles’ lives, their ocean habitats, and their journey from egg to adult. It’s a great choice for kids who love animals but aren’t quite ready for longer nonfiction books.
Have fun with our free sea turtle life cycle coloring page.
A visually stunning nonfiction book that blends real photos, fun facts, and engaging explanations about sea turtles. It’s a great way to introduce preschoolers to turtle conservation and the challenges these creatures face in a way that’s easy for young kids to grasp.
Add this book to our favorite preschool turtle activities
If your preschooler loves fun facts and bright illustrations, this book is a great pick. It focuses solely on sea turtles, explaining how they hatch, swim, and grow. With easy-to-follow text, it’s a great introduction to nonfiction for younger kids who are just starting to learn about animals.
This gorgeous book follows a baby sea turtle as it hatches and follows the moonlight to the ocean. The lyrical text makes it soothing for bedtime, while the story itself introduces kids to the wonders of nature.
This book brings the life of a loggerhead sea turtle to life with vibrant illustrations and simple, engaging text. It’s a great mix of story and science, making it perfect for curious preschoolers who love animals.
This sweet board book celebrates the love between a caregiver and child, making it a wonderful bedtime or cuddle-time read. Its gentle storytelling and peek-through pages make it an engaging choice for little ones who enjoy interactive books.
Pair this with our free Turtle tracing worksheet.
Did you know turtles can hear without visible ears? This book is filled with fascinating little facts like that, keeping kids entertained while learning about turtles’ unique abilities. If your child loves asking “Why?” this book will have plenty of answers!
A gentle, nature-filled bedtime book that introduces little ones to different types of turtles—from land-dwelling tortoises to sea turtles—as they settle in for the night. If you’re looking for a calming bedtime read, this is a great choice.
Whether your child loves adventure stories or nonfiction, these turtle books for preschoolers are perfect for storytime. Have you read any of these? Let us know your favorites in the comments!
Last Updated on 8 April 2025 by Clare Brown