What is the lesson to be learned in this story?
True happiness is found within ourselves.

Does it have a story line that teaches children how to better navigate their lives?
Therein, like most children, looks to other places to find his happiness. In pursuing this, his adventures take him far away from home. After achieving great accomplishments, he still felt unfulfilled until he discovers that he had what he needed, all along, on the inside.

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How does it engage the reader? 
During this tale, readers find themselves engaged with Therein’s difficult travels and the insight from his many friends throughout the book. Stunning illustrations of Therein the Tortoise and the desert that is his home compliment this story very well. As a bonus, informative facts about the desert tortoise are provided by the Joshua Tree Tortoise Rescue after the story.

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Does it conjure up real life scenarios and offer insights as to how problems could have been handled with less injury to all? 
This story relates well to the challenges we all have faced in finding our inner peace. It well documents the journey we must take to find what we truly seek.

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Does it open up avenues of discussion between parents and children? 
Therein’s wanderlust is a common anxiety felt by children and adults alike. He felt that that the life he had was not special, that to find happiness he must be somewhere else.  It ultimately takes a tremendous journey and some help from his friends for Therein to realize the gifts he had all along.
By discussing The Traveling Tortoise with your children, you can help them to understand and appreciate the wonderful things that they have all around them.