Hello Friends,

I have finished the paintings for my picture book, so today, I am posting the story in its entirety.  The paintings are still in rough draft form, but I wanted to share it.  Also, I think I want to darken some of the last few paintings.  Well, enjoy it! (Feel free to tell me what you think!)   Thank you!  😉

Larry the Lonely Leatherback

© Patsy H. Parker

Larry is lonely.

He does not have any friends to play with.  Last week he had to say goodbye to his best friend, Alicia, because she wanted to go explore a different part of the ocean.

Now Larry is sad.  He feels like crying.  

So he does.

When Larry feels lonely, he swims…

and swims.  He is hoping to find a new friend.

Then suddenly he is surprised when his tummy starts growling.  

He is missing Alicia so much, he forgets to eat!  So Larry decides to look for his favorite food.

Jellyfish!

Larry dives…

deeper,

deeper,

and deeper.  Diving is Larry’s favorite part of swimming.

He dives all the way down to the bottom of the ocean to rest.  When he looks up to see the sun shining through the water, 

 he sees a swarm of jellyfish!  Then they see him, too!

They swim fast to get away…

and when Larry almost catches one,

he sees another Leatherback sea turtle swimming in his direction, but she does not see him!

Suddenly they are face to face.  They bump noses.

Larry smiles widely.  He thinks to himself, maybe she will be my friend.

 She smiles shyly.

“Hi.  I’m lonely…I mean…Larry.”  He feels embarrassed.

“Hi.  I’m Lucy.”  She giggles.  Then she winks at him.  “Do you want to go catch jellyfish with me?”  she asks. 

“Yes, I do!  I almost caught earlier today!”  Larry answers happily.

So Larry and Lucy swim away to catch jellyfish together.  Then Larry, the lonely Leatherback sea turtle isn’t lonely anymore. 

THE END

Have a wonderful day, and give someone you love a big hug (or hold fins like Larry and Lucy!)  🙂