Page 1 of 8
Part 1
The garden friends planned a parade to the old oak tree. Zip carried the rainbow flag. Pippa tapped a happy beat with her hooves.
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Toto Turtle and the Slow Parade
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Toto Turtle and the Slow Parade
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Page 1
Part 1
The garden friends planned a parade to the old oak tree. Zip carried the rainbow flag. Pippa tapped a happy beat with her hooves.
Page 2
Part 2
“Ready, go!” called Zip. He bounded ahead. Pippa trotted after him. Toto walked as fast as his short legs could go.
Page 3
Part 3
Soon Toto was far behind. He could still see the flag, but he could not hear the happy hoof beat anymore.
Page 4
Part 4
Pippa looked back and stopped. “Our parade is missing Toto,” she said. Zip looked back too. A parade without their friend did not feel right.
Page 5
Part 5
Zip and Pippa returned to Toto. “We are sorry we went too fast,” Zip said. “Let us choose a together pace.”
Page 6
Part 6
Toto chose the beat: step, step, pause. Pippa matched it with her hooves. Zip waved the flag slowly from side to side.
Page 7
Part 7
More friends joined behind them. The slow parade had time to wave at butterflies and smell the flowers.
Page 8
Part 8
They reached the oak tree together. Nobody asked who was first. Everyone cheered because no friend had been left behind.
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Try the story activityToto Turtle and the Slow Parade
Share a rhyme inspired by the story. Read the words together, tap a gentle beat, or make up your own tune.
Open the rhyme
Intro
Flags are high, the hoof beats play.
Garden friends begin parade.
Verse 1
Zip ran fast with colors bright.
Pippa trotted out of sight.
Toto walked with short, slow feet.
Soon he could not hear the beat.
Chorus
Step, step, pause, together pace.
Keep each friend inside the race.
Getting there is not the prize.
Staying close makes happy eyes.
Verse 2
Pippa stopped and looked behind.
"Toto's missing from our line."
Zip came back and said, "We're sorry.
We will match your steps, no hurry."
Chorus
Step, step, pause, together pace.
Keep each friend inside the race.
Getting there is not the prize.
Staying close makes happy eyes.
Bridge
Toto chose the gentle beat.
Pippa matched it with her feet.
Zip waved colors side to side.
More friends joined the happy line.
Final Chorus
Step, step, pause, together pace.
Butterflies flew by their place.
At the oak they cheered as one.
No one asked who first had won.
Outro
Slow parade beneath the tree,
Every friend where they should be.
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