Amy Johnson’s Debut Children’s Book Named To Kirkus Review’s Top Book List

Johnson Appears At Children’s Book World In Haverford On Nov. 17

by Melissa Jacobs

These tortoises are definitely winning the race. Two tortoises are the stars of The Story Of Neeps And Tattie, the children’s book co-authored by Diane Madden of Maine and Valley Forge’s Amy Johnson. The prestigious Kirkus Review gave the book a glowing review and named it one of “28 Indies Worth Discovering.”

Written for 4-8 year old children but appropriate for people of all ages, The Story Of Neeps And Tattie was gorgeously illustrated by Abigail Gray Swartz. Published by Maine Authors Publishing, Neeps And Tattie and was one of the company’s best-selling books of 2023.

The story begins when 10-year old Annie adopts two tortoises from a glen near her home in Loch Ness. Neeps and Tattie may or may not be genetically related, but Annie forms a family with them, her dogs Angus and Tess, and eventually, her husband. Now 62 years old, Annie continues to care for the tortoises in their natural habitats – except when they hibernate in her refrigerator during the winter.

Johnson and Madden were inspired to write the book during a trip to Scotland in 2019. Traveling through the Scottish Highlands, they saw a beautiful stucco house with a little pond. After chatting with the homeowner, the women learned that two tortoises, both at least 50 years old, lived in the pond. “We asked if we could see them, and the woman said that they were in her refrigerator,” Madden said. “Turns out, tortoises need to hibernate in refrigerators, basements or temperature-controlled places.”

Fascinated, Johnson and Madden started learning about tortoises; much of that is included in The Story Of Neeps And Tattie. The animals can live to be 100 years old and are common pets in the UK. “But because they live so long, one owner wills them to their next owner to make sure they are cared for,” Johnson said.

The women were visiting Scotland with their husbands – and that’s where the deeper story lies. Kevin Johnson and Ed Madden are brothers by choice. Johnson spent part of his childhood in foster care until Madden’s father took him into his home and raised the boys together. “They are brothers,” Johnson explained, “and have been part of each other’s lives for their whole lives.”

The book presents a full career circle for Madden, who spearheaded a Maine literacy program called Raising Readers, which donated books to pediatricians to give to kids during their wellness check-ups. Johnson was delighted to become a first-time author at the age of 59. The former teacher loves books and animals, but never thought she’d combine them. “It was a completely new adventure for me, and a challenge,” Johnson said. “And I think it’s proof that you’re never too old to try something new.”

The biggest challenge was finding the right illustrator. “It took us 18 months,” Madden said. “We wanted to respect the animals, so we didn’t want the tortoises to be cartoon-like. It was hard to find an illustrator who would listen to us.” That illustrator is Abigail Gray Swartz. “She Zoomed with us and drew the tortoises  right there and then,” Johnson said. “I knew she was the one.”

Johnson and Madden are already thinking about their next book. “In her will, Annie McKay would designate good homes for Neeps and Tattie, so we’ll see what kind of family they meet next,” Johnson said.

To get your copy of The Story of Neeps And Tattie, visit this website.

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