Tommy Tortuga

Volume 1

A Turtle's Secret

Tommy Tortuga may look like an ordinary turtle, but he is extraordinary! In this timely tale, Tommy uses creativity, determination and teamwork to turn an idea into reality while others are distracted. He shows great initiative and has great fun in building self-confidence in an unexpected way.

Tommy reminds us all that you can't judge a turtle by its shell. This full color storybook creates fun for the whole family with rhyming, alliteration, anomatopoeia, similes and metaphors. Each page has a hidden image.

Hardcover, Premium Paper and Color Print. 8.5" x 8.5". 2018.

Buy Now

Volume 2

Who's in the Box?

Tommy's adorable and exciting story continues in Volume 2. A surprise experience lands Tommy in an unexpected place; a box. His overnight experience in a box is thought provoking about a typical family of today and an inspiring turtle. The colorful illustrations with hidden images continue in Volume 2, along with the rhyming, alliteration, onomatopoeia, similes. Your family will keep coming back to Tommy T for more fun.

Hardcover, Premium Paper and Color Print. 8.5" x 8.5". 2018.

Buy Now

what to expect from tommy tortuga

Inspiring

Tommy Tortuga is ready to take on the world! He may be a turtle, but he has big ambition. He is curious, not judgmental, takes initiative, uses creativity and has resilience. Tommy may be small, but he has mighty ideas with plenty of fun along the way! What could you do if your tried your best? See how Tommy triumphs

Engaging

Tommy Tortuga is written as a rhyme and has a rhythm that feels musical at times. It's great fun to read along and listen. Add in the alliteration, onomatopoeia and similes to make lots of smiles and laughs. The illustrations are vivid with hidden images on each page as an extra treat. You'll all have fun with the mystery images. Tommy will tickle your senses whether reading, listening or searching for hidden objects on each page.

Thought Provoking

Tommy encourages wonderment and is a story to start a great conversation with children and families. The adventures in the book are timely and draw metaphors to family life of today. The twists and irony of the story may even encourage a dialogue in your own family about how we all spend our time, and what we could all do if we try really hard on something.

THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY

One summer, not so long ago, a family was on a vacation. During the late afternoon one day, a nice local fellow brought a fine looking turtle to the little home in which the family was staying. He wanted to share his find with the family thinking that the boy had never met a real turtle. He was right! The young boy had never seen a turtle, and that turtle had never seen a curious little boy. The turtle stayed one night in the house in a box.

Well, that little turtle made quite an impression, and he was given a name, Tommy Tortuga. The next morning, the family wanted to return the turtle to freedom. Tommy was released back into the nearby woods in which he was found. When the family turned around to say a final goodbye, the turtle was gone. Curious! That family was certain that Tommy had a secret life full of excitement filling his day and night. The adventures of Tommy Tortuga began to sprout from the little seeds that were planted in the family's imagination.

Tommy was never seen again by that family, only one grainy photo remains of that Summer day. However, we are sure that Tommy is still finding unusual adventures every day. The Adventures of Tommy Tortuga is where his journey can be followed.

Site Content

About the Author, Matthew A. Lapides

Matthew Lapides has been on an adventure of entrepreneurship since the late 1980's. He is always curious, and opportunities have taken him around the globe where he has witnessed dreams, desire, triumph and defeat. Matthew is inspired by both art and science. He is a critical thinker but also a creative dreamer. For Matthew, these are delicious ingredients for the recipe of his sometimes complicated projects. These activities must make the people around him nuts, but the results are often curious things of beauty… at least to somebody. Matthew is resourceful, and because of his handi-daddiness, Matthew's son is simply sure that he can fix ALMOST anything.

Sometimes serious, sometimes silly, always patient and tirelessly creative, Matthew’s hallmark is helping to empower others to be more. Sprout Publishing is a creative channel to help put a few keepsakes on children's bookshelves, bring smiles to families and start conversations. It's working so far!

Matthew is also the author of "Biking to the Boat Ramp", a photo-chronicle of his family's experience of building a 17' wooden sloop sailboat in their garage in Coconut Grove, FL.

Stand by, Matthew has continued the Adventures of Tommy Tortuga with new volumes and has several other projects in the works!

Meet Sprout Publishing

Sprout popped up from a small seed in the mind of Matthew Lapides. He founded Sprout Publishing as a passageway to share stories, bring smiles to growing families and find ways to pass along worthwhile messages that create conversations. Little sapling stories, each with their own ideas and premise, began to pop up one at a time. With love, attention and nurturing, those saplings grew to bear fruit. Tommy Tortuga was a small idea, and now he is bigger than life! Each little literary work is created for you to enjoy in different ways. We hope you get inspired to plant your own literary seeds to nurture and grow for others to enjoy.

Visit us at www.sproutpublishing.com to learn more about what we have going on!

JUST RELEASED

Volume 1

A Turtle's Secret

Volume 2

Who's in the Box?

2-in-1 Set

A Turtle's Secret and Who's in the Box?

Available at fine Book Sellers near you or online at (click