The True and Lucky Life of a Turtle

by Sy Montgomery, Matt Patterson (illustrator)

Here is the true story of a very lucky turtle. His story began long ago when he was hatched from a very small egg on an autumn day. After decades of traveling between his summer pond behind the firehouse and his winter pond across the street, he never could have guessed that on one October day he would become unlucky . . .

The amazing friends and challenges he met along the way are all chronicled by the Sibert Honor–winning duo behind The Book of Turtles in this tribute to the resilience and good luck of their dear friend, a very lucky turtle indeed.

Detailed back matter includes an author's note, information about snapping turtles, and reader resources for how to save injured turtles.

Genres: Nonfiction, Picture Books, Animals, Nature, Childrens, Science, Juvenile

40 pages, Hardcover

Published September 9, 2025

About the author

Part Indiana Jones, part Emily Dickinson, as the Boston Globe describes her, Sy Montgomery is an author, naturalist, documentary scriptwriter, and radio commentator who has traveled to some of the worlds most remote wildernesses for her work. She has worked in a pit crawling with 18,000 snakes in Manitoba, been hunted by a tiger in India, swum with pink dolphins in the Amazon, and been undressed by an orangutan in Borneo. She is the author of 13 award-winning books, including her national best-selling memoir, The Good Good Pig. Montgomery lives in Hancock, New Hampshire.

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great story, with useful information in the back about how to help an injured turtle if you were to encounter one. Sometimes we mean well, but don't know what to do. This explains in an age appropriate way about the dangers turtles face and how to safely help them if they need it.

The author was also the narrator and the tone of voice and volume were just right for the book.

5, recommended both as an audio and as a "real tree" book, stars!

My thanks to NetGalley and HarperAudio/Clarion Books for an ALC of this book to listen to and review.

[Akshay · Rating 5 out of 5]

The True and Lucky Life of a Turtle by Sy Montgomery, illustrated by Matt Patterson

 A deeply personal and expertly crafted nature narrative that transforms one turtle's survival story into a meditation on resilience, community care, and intergenerational stewardship. 

Narrative Structure and Personal Connection: Montgomery and Patterson present the remarkable biography of Fire Chief, a 60-year-old snapping turtle whose story spans from vulnerable hatchling to community icon. The chronological account gains profound authenticity from the creators' direct involvement—Patterson owns the property where Fire Chief currently resides, while both authors participated in his rescue and rehabilitation. This intimate connection elevates the work beyond typical nature writing into something approaching memoir-through-animal-proxy.

The book's structure follows Fire Chief's life journey from "ping-pong-ball-size egg to quarter-size baby to full-grown adult who's the weight of a lawn mower," using his experiences to explore broader themes of vulnerability, adaptation, and environmental change. The narrative arc moves from early luck (surviving predators, finding suitable habitat) through crisis (vehicular collision on an increasingly dangerous highway) to redemption (rescue, rehabilitation, and habitat restoration).

Artistic Achievement and Visual Storytelling: Patterson's hyper-realistic acrylic illustrations demonstrate exceptional technical mastery while serving deeper narrative purposes. Critics consistently praise his ability to capture Fire Chief's individual personality—penetrating orange-brown eyes and a bemused smile charm, while the folds of skin on his legs and chin look like landscape portraits. The artwork functions as both scientific documentation and emotional connection, achieving an intimacy that photography could not match.

The visual approach mirrors Montgomery's writing philosophy: detailed observation leading to universal insights. Patterson's firsthand knowledge of Fire Chief allows for authentic portraiture that reveals the turtle's distinct character while maintaining scientific accuracy about snapping turtle anatomy and behavior.

Environmental and Educational Themes: The book skillfully integrates conservation messaging within its personal narrative, documenting how rural development transforms wildlife corridors into death traps. Montgomery poses the crucial question: "Would he be fast enough to beat whizzing cars? Is any turtle?" before revealing the community solution—creating a year-round habitat eliminating dangerous road crossings.

This approach demonstrates Montgomery's pedagogical sophistication, allowing environmental complexity to emerge through individual experience rather than abstract lecturing. The book's treatment of turtle vulnerability—from egg predation to highway mortality—educates young readers about conservation challenges while maintaining hope through human intervention.

Literary Context and Series Development: As a companion to the Sibert Honor-winning The Book of Turtles (2023), this work deepens Montgomery and Patterson's collaborative exploration of turtle biology and conservation. The pairing represents an unusual publishing strategy: using individual turtle biography to personalize broader scientific themes established in their previous comprehensive treatment.

The book also connects to Montgomery's adult work Of Time and Turtles (2023), where Fire Chief's story originally appeared as part of a larger meditation on temporal perspective and healing. This cross-pollination between adult and children's literature demonstrates Montgomery's commitment to multi-generational environmental education.

Target Audience and Accessibility: Designed for ages 4-7, the book successfully balances scientific accuracy with emotional accessibility. Montgomery's prose maintains her characteristic precision while adapting complex ecological concepts for young readers. The work addresses children directly, inviting them into the story through inclusive language and wonder-based framing.

The book's treatment of injury and recovery demonstrates particular sensitivity, presenting Fire Chief's trauma and rehabilitation in age-appropriate terms while not minimizing the seriousness of wildlife-vehicle conflicts. This balance reflects Montgomery's experience in creating emotionally honest yet hopeful nature narratives for children.

Critical Reception and Impact: Professional reviews emphasize the work's emotional resonance alongside its educational value. Critics note how the book delights and uplifts while maintaining scientific integrity and successfully integrating conservation themes.

The True and Lucky Life of a Turtle represents Montgomery and Patterson at their collaborative peak, combining scientific expertise, artistic mastery, and deep personal investment in their subject. The book succeeds as both individual portrait and universal metaphor, demonstrating how specific animal stories can illuminate broader questions about resilience, community care, and our responsibility to the more-than-human world. It stands as exemplary environmental literature for children—honest about ecological challenges while maintaining essential hope for positive change.

 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5 stars 

[Meghan Bohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this is absolutely gorgeous and I love almost everything about it, but the backmatter....there's info about turtle extinction and the publisher recommends it for ages 4-8. And then there's the three photos of the author and illustrator with their faces and hands near Fire Chief (a wild animal)'s mouth. From what I gathered in talking with common snapping turtle keepers (I only worked with alligator snappers), they can become very habituated to people. So while it might be 'okay' for the people in the photos, it doesn't demonstrate best practices for others.

[Ann Haefele · Rating 5 out of 5]

True story of a very lucky snapping turtle named Fire Chief, who is over 60 years old. Most of this turtle’s life was uneventful until a car ran over him. The book details how this turtle was rescued and rehabilitated. The painted/watercolored illustrations are very detailed and greatly add to the story. Back matter is included at the end of the book.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Clarion Books through Edeleweiss+.
Beautifully illustrated story of one snapping turtle's life. Readers meet Fire Chief as the author shares the way turtles are hatched and how the few survive to make it to water. They watch as the snapping turtle grows older and is finally large enough to be seen by the firefighters next door. This turtle has to cross the road to get to a larger pond each winter. Unfortunately, he is injured. We see the Rehab facility treat him and help him regain strength. An encouraging book to see how humans care for wildlife and keep them safe in their own habitats.

[Carolyn Combs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this true story about the life and rehabilitation of Fire Chief, a magnificent, charismatic snapping turtle who was run over by a car. Sy Montgomery’s tender, vivid writing and Matt Patterson’s vibrant, realistic illustrations bring Fire Chief to life, showcasing his remarkable resilience and the unwavering compassion of his human friends. Share it with children, ages 4-10, during the spring turtle hatching season, before visiting a wetland, or anytime you’re looking to share hope and empowerment.

[Holly Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations are THE BOMB! And the story is equally incredible. Narrative nonfiction about Fire Chief the snapping turtle who is as old as your grandparents! His whole life is described in loving detail as if he really is best friend with the author and illustrator…because he is! He lives in Matt’s backyard where he built him a pond to keep him from having to cross the busy street where he was hit when he was younger moving from his summer pond to his hibernating pond.

Would be a great read aloud. Definitely could be a March Madness nonfiction bracket.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a detailed story of how a snapping turtle named Fire Chief who lived by a fire station raised baby turtles and was injured crossing a road. This story shows the turtle is rescued by some caring women who rehabilitate him and when a new pond is dug, he is relocated. The pond is a place where other skunks or raccoons won't get to the eggs Fire Chief lays. She lives the rest of her life with the firemen nearby. Back matter about snapping turtles. Factual and detailed.

[Robin Berman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful detailed realistic illustrations. This is the story of Fire Chief, a common snapping turtle that was rescued and healed by the Turtle Rescue League after getting hit by a car.

Fire Chief was living in the heart shaped pond by a fire station and would cross the street twice a year to go to his winter pond. He know lives in the safety of a pond at Matt Petersons house. Matt is the artist who loves turtles.

[Mrs.MakesReadingFun · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED LOVED LOVED!
I sound like a broken record, but we do love non-fiction picture books! Reading about this TRUE story was such a delight- it was an interesting and engaging story, and we also learned alot about turtles too. We liked reading more about this true story and seeing the real photos at the end.

Our nature-loving students will adore this one :)

[Peacegal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully vibrant and lifelike illustrations tell the true story of Fire Chief, an enormous snapping turtle who was injured by a vehicle when trying to reach his hibernation pond. This is a wonderful reminder that human beings can choose to be helpful to other living creatures, and we can work to right the wrongs done by others' carelessness.

[Yuuto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook but I definitely need to request my library get the physical book so I can see all of the great artwork.

I love Sy Montgomery’s stuff, even a super short children’s book is incredibly informative and has you rooting for a big ol’ snapping turtle named Fire Chief.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely collaboration between Montgomery and Patterson about Fire Chief, a snapping turtle who was injured and rehabilitated by a turtle rescue that highlights the beauty and danger of snapping turtles- a prehistoric creature of amazing abilities.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story about a snapping turtle's life, including when it was hit by a car and had to be mended. I am not super into snapping turtles, but this did make me see that maybe they are not as dangerous as I thought. The illustrations are so detailed and beautiful.

[Sandra Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This true story about Fire Chief, the snapping turtle, which was beautifully illustrated, is encouraging and heartwarming. I gained a lot of knowledge about turtles and how people take care of wildlife and protect them in their natural habitat.

[Kirsten Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful narrative nonfiction based on the real life of the snapping turtle known as Fire Chief, who lives in a pond in the illustrator’s backyard. This is a great nonfiction for reading aloud. Includes back matter and resources.

[Salamah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful story about a snapping turtle named Fire Chief. The author does a great job explaining how humans positively and negatively affected the life of this turtle. This is a must purchase for elementary libraries as many important topics related to caring for animals are featured.

[Awjtf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this book!

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice picture book about a turtle. I’d like to learn more about turtles now!

[Jill Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picturebook. Nonfiction. True account of Fire Chief, a snapping turtle. Wonderful illustrations. Recommend K to 3rd grade.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for telling this story. A nice informational book and amazing illustrations.

[James Sahyouni · Rating 5 out of 5]

tastes like fingers

[Donald Lanham · Rating 5 out of 5]

True story about a rescued and rehabilitated turtle suitable for children.

[Dylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent nonfiction picture book about snapping turtles with a narrative of one particular snapping turtle's life!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging story about a rescued snapping turtle from being laid as an egg through injury and rehabilitation. Very strong backmatter.

[Josh Peatfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will say, the animal illustrations are pretty great.

[Holly Mueller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sy Montgomery and Matt Patterson come together again to tell the fabulous story of Fire Chief. I'll read anything by Sy Montgomery. Patterson's illustrations are amazing!

[Lexi Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great book for kids. Showing the changing world for animals and how to make a difference. Even if it is small.

[GothicGiggleCiCi · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Good for Firechief.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the author’s adult book about turtles, and an so glad she created this picture book about Fire Chief.