Why the Turtle Walks So Slowly, from Reycraft Books, Brings New Life to a Traditional Cuban folktale
The picture book adapts and retells the story that explains how turtles became the animals as we know them today.
NEW ROCHELLE, NY, May. 6, 2025— Leading children’s trade publisher Reycraft Books is pleased to announce the publication of Why the Turtle Walks So Slowly, written by Sandra Martín Denis and illustrated by Arístides Hernández. Released on May 6, 2025, the picture book is an adaptation and retelling of a Cuban folktale that reveals why turtles have shells and move around at such a leisurely pace.
Why the Turtle Walks So Slowly, tells the story of Tortuga, a river turtle living in Cuba long ago. Back then, turtles did not have shells and were fast-moving creatures. In fact, Tortuga is one of the fastest runners in his village. But he is not quite as fast, or respected, as the village’s leader, a human woman named Mabella. Tortuga becomes convinced that he can unseat Mabella if he can prove himself to be the best runner. One day, he sees a local sorcerer give Mabella a mysterious, magical drum and realizes it could be his ticket to power. Tortuga hatches a plan to steal the drum from Mabella. But his jealousy will have major consequences, on both him and his species.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sandra Martín Denis was born in Cienfuegos, Cuba, and raised in California on a healthy diet of library books, museum visits, and performances at the Music Center and the Hollywood Bowl. Contrary to popular belief that no one walks in Los Angeles, she walks everywhere. That's when she discovers different neighborhoods and gets new ideas to write about. Besides writing full-time, traveling and reading are Martín’s passions. She reads everything, including food labels.
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR:
Arístides Hernández was born in Havana, Cuba. A self- taught artist, he is a doctor specializing in psychiatry. Hernández currently creates cartoons, children's book illustrations, posters, paintings, and 3D pieces. He has won international awards, including the World Press Cartoon Grand Prix and the United Nations Ranan Lurie First Award.
Martín explained that she first heard the story of Tortuga from her abuela (grandmother), Quina. “She was a marvelous storyteller,” the Cuban-born author said. “She knew stories from all over the world. She used to tell the turtle story, among many others, including stories from the Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Andersen, and my favorite book as a child, The Thousand and One Nights.”
While the Tortuga story has been around for a long time, Martín said she believes it remains relevant today. “We live in a world where we want more of everything—the latest gadget, the latest car, impressingothers, the latest clothes,” she said. “We're not satisfied with the simple things of life, such as good friends. Maybe the story teaches readers to be happy with what they have.”
In writing Why the Turtle Walks So Slowly, Martín noted that she didn’t necessarily intend to convey a lesson to readers. “When I wrote it,” she said, “I just wanted in some way to honor my abuela, because although I didn't set out to be a writer when I attended college, I think Abuela Quina implanted the writing seed in me with her incredible stories.”
The author also expressed enthusiasm and appreciation for the unique, lush, colorful illustrations provided by Hernández. “They blew my mind,” Martín said. “It was worth the wait. Arístides included my favorite fruit—mamey—in one of the illustrations, which made my day. What a talented artist! He brought my words to life.”
ABOUT REYCRAFT BOOKS: partners with award-winning and up-and-coming authors and illustrators, primarily from underrepresented communities, to provide high-quality books that delight, inform, and honor the voice and vision of all children. Founded in 2019, the imprint publishes authentic stories—engaging picture books, transitional chapter books, middle grade books, graphic novels, and more—that build knowledge, perspective, and connection, meeting the diverse needs of children, families, and educators.