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Tuttle Twins #7
The Tuttle Twins and the Search for Atlas
In a world filled with consumers, what happens if the producers give up and leave? And how can people better practice personal responsibility and not have a sense of entitlement about the things they think they deserve?
Ethan and Emily Tuttle tackle these questions in their latest adventure, this time as clowns in the visiting circus. Incorporating ideas from Ayn Rand’s hit novel Atlas Shrugged, this book shows how things begin falling apart when socialism creeps in. Join the clown twins as they try to figure out where Atlas went—and more importantly, why he left.
Ethan and Emily Tuttle tackle these questions in their latest adventure, this time as clowns in the visiting circus. Incorporating ideas from Ayn Rand’s hit novel Atlas Shrugged, this book shows how things begin falling apart when socialism creeps in. Join the clown twins as they try to figure out where Atlas went—and more importantly, why he left.
64 pages, Paperback
Published December 13, 2017
7 people are currently reading
265 people want to read
About the author
Connor Boyack
91 books239 followersConnor Boyack is founder and president of Libertas Institute, a libertarian think tank in Utah. In that capacity, he has spearheaded important policy reforms dealing with property rights, civil liberties, transparency, surveillance, and education freedom.
Connor is the author of several books, including the new Tuttle Twins series that teaches the principles of liberty to young children. Other books include Latter-day Liberty: A Gospel Approach to Government and Politics and its companion, Latter-day Responsibility: Choosing Liberty through Personal Accountability.
Connor's work has been publicly praised by former Representative Ron Paul, Judge Andrew Napolitano, Tom Woods, and other nationally recognized figures. He is a frequent commentator on current events and has appeared in local, national, and international interviews to publicize and comment on his work.
Connor is the author of several books, including the new Tuttle Twins series that teaches the principles of liberty to young children. Other books include Latter-day Liberty: A Gospel Approach to Government and Politics and its companion, Latter-day Responsibility: Choosing Liberty through Personal Accountability.
Connor's work has been publicly praised by former Representative Ron Paul, Judge Andrew Napolitano, Tom Woods, and other nationally recognized figures. He is a frequent commentator on current events and has appeared in local, national, and international interviews to publicize and comment on his work.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
April 11, 2024
At long last, Ayn Rand in kid's book form, because your children are never too young to learn that the notions of empathy and compassion are but ridiculous drivel spouted by the intellectually-inferior and the undeserving moochers feeding like leeches off of society who deserve nothing but contempt and the privilege of being made use of by their betters.
On the other hand, if for whatever reason you need to read Atlas Shrugged and lack the intestinal fortitude to endure the countless pages of Rand's turgid misanthropic ranting, this is probably the best option, or in any event the least painful.
On the other hand, if for whatever reason you need to read Atlas Shrugged and lack the intestinal fortitude to endure the countless pages of Rand's turgid misanthropic ranting, this is probably the best option, or in any event the least painful.
July 29, 2021
2021-07-29 I listened to the audio book version, I did not read the paperback. I really liked it. Did a neat job of bringing some of Ayn Rand's ideas from her amazing Atlas Shrugged to this delightful kids story.
The theme of who and what produces value for consumers is something that kids and adults really need to understand for a themselves and society to thrive, and not be as contentious as it too often is. Grokking reality vs. whims based on envy is crucial for peace and happiness.
Highly recommended. The book should be very relatable and enjoyable for kids and adults alike.
The theme of who and what produces value for consumers is something that kids and adults really need to understand for a themselves and society to thrive, and not be as contentious as it too often is. Grokking reality vs. whims based on envy is crucial for peace and happiness.
Highly recommended. The book should be very relatable and enjoyable for kids and adults alike.
July 19, 2021
It's a children's version of Atlas Shrugged, I mean just yikes all around. Yikes.
July 14, 2019
Good book for kids explaining supply, demand and capitalism in simple ways.
February 21, 2021
What a great illustration of a concept. (And that last line was perfect!)
May 19, 2021
Designed for middle school or younger children, this book is kinda meant to teach conservative principles around the work ethic and Ayn Rand philosophy
August 11, 2020
I loved the book Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, this book makes her concepts easy for the younger generation to understand why taking personal responsibility for yourself and being a producer and not just a consumer is good for everyone
December 13, 2023
This book excellently shows how socialism doesn't work because it gives some people entitlement and the real producers lose incentives to perform. A must read for any child. I highly recommend this book.
March 5, 2023
I would like to thank the Aberdeen Public Library for fulfilling my interlibrary loan so I could share this turd with literally everyone I've come across.
March 22, 2024
Book 7 in a series that helps children learn how money works. This one teaches about consumers, personal responsibility, and entitlement.
June 2, 2022
This is when I think the series begins to go downhill a bit. Mostly, one guy at the circus does all the work, everyone is happy with this, but when that guy gets miffed and leaves, everyone is like, "Why would he do that?" They're upset they have to work more now, but mostly they just work at getting the old guy back. I guess in the end he gets paid more...but who's the real winner here?
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March 31, 2021A parent's review: Highly recommended
Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2020
What we have here is a children's version of something that has been learned since the dawn of humanity: running a business requires skin in the game, and most do not survive.
This is just done in such a way that children can understand it and it also differs from the other books in the series and that it is not a children's synopsis of a foundational libertarian text (such as by Hayek, Mises or Friedman.)
This is a simple little read, it occurs to me to ask: Why didn't somebody think of this before?
A lot of times when people want to inculcate someone with a political agenda, the first place that they go is to schools so that they can catch children when they are young.
Why can't sauce for the goose be sauce for the gander?
The environmentalists have been doing this for a long time. (Think of how often you watch a cartoon where bad people are shown to be polluters, who are not polluting as a side effect of some productive economic activity. But, just doing it because they are "bad.")
And don't even get me started on the Gender Identity Disorder Self-Diagnosis Movement. (Drag queen story hours all over the place. And I remember WAY fewer people with Gender Identity Disorder than when I was in Middle School and high school.)
If you have a worldview that you would like to impart to your kids, better that you catch them young and take the responsibility for their education.
The Libertarian world view has some number of parts, and this is a substantial one. (Running a business entails risk and actual results and not a bunch of idle speculation)
The illustrations are great, and my sons liked them a lot.
Verdict: Strongly recommended
Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2020
What we have here is a children's version of something that has been learned since the dawn of humanity: running a business requires skin in the game, and most do not survive.
This is just done in such a way that children can understand it and it also differs from the other books in the series and that it is not a children's synopsis of a foundational libertarian text (such as by Hayek, Mises or Friedman.)
This is a simple little read, it occurs to me to ask: Why didn't somebody think of this before?
A lot of times when people want to inculcate someone with a political agenda, the first place that they go is to schools so that they can catch children when they are young.
Why can't sauce for the goose be sauce for the gander?
The environmentalists have been doing this for a long time. (Think of how often you watch a cartoon where bad people are shown to be polluters, who are not polluting as a side effect of some productive economic activity. But, just doing it because they are "bad.")
And don't even get me started on the Gender Identity Disorder Self-Diagnosis Movement. (Drag queen story hours all over the place. And I remember WAY fewer people with Gender Identity Disorder than when I was in Middle School and high school.)
If you have a worldview that you would like to impart to your kids, better that you catch them young and take the responsibility for their education.
The Libertarian world view has some number of parts, and this is a substantial one. (Running a business entails risk and actual results and not a bunch of idle speculation)
The illustrations are great, and my sons liked them a lot.
Verdict: Strongly recommended
June 27, 2019
Quite engaging.
May 5, 2021
An easy yet well done explanation about the the trouble with socialism and why it doesn't work. This story made it easy to understand as well as fun. The twins weren’t sure which side was right because they both sounded good. But on looking deeper into things, they realized the problems.
I would recommend this to anyone wanting to learn about this topic.
I would recommend this to anyone wanting to learn about this topic.
February 15, 2022
The theme for this book is that different jobs require different skills and levels of commitment and, thus, some deserve better pay or rewards. I'm not sure the strong man in the circus is the best choice for this idea, but the author gets the point across.
January 13, 2020
This was my favorite in the series so far. It felt less morally simplistic.
January 30, 2020
Love the way important ideas are conveyed.
November 20, 2020
I really think the earlier books were better. Great lesson....but felt more like propaganda leaving little room for thoughts and discussion other than the thoughts provided.
July 11, 2023
We love the Tuttle Twins books. The Search for Atlas is a simple look at socialism and inspired by Ayn Rand's classic, Atlas Shrugged. It explores the value of hard work, personal responsibility, the ideas of supply and demand, consumption and production, and equal and fair rewards.
It's a simple story, expressing the idea simply in that Atlas, the strongman has walked out on the circus. The ringmaster and clowns all think that's selfish of Atlas. The book demonstrates that Atlas does more work for the circus and draws larger crowds, earning the extra benefits that the clowns want for themselves.
We can see when Atlas walks away from his job how the circus suffers. The audience is unhappy and crowds dwindle. The cook and masseuse lose their jobs. Can the twins find Adults before he leaves town? Can they convince the ringmaster of Atlas's value to the circus? Enough so that it's worthwhile for Atlas to return?
As an adult, I'd like to see this followed up with a story that explores more critical jobs in society, such as teachers, police, medical professionals, and military. What does it look like when teachers and police begin walking away from their jobs? For many, that job is a calling, because we know they're not paid enough for what they do. Did you know that there are laws limiting teachers, nurses, and police from striking? Can you imagine what you would do if there were laws preventing you from going on strike to demand benefits or higher pay? It's sad how quickly society caves to the whims of minimum wage workers, but overlooks the true civil servants.
Good lessons for our kids. I'd say, age appropriate for our 10-year-old, but just a little over the heads of the 6-year-olds (although they still enjoy the story). As River Tam would say, "She understands. She doesn't comprehend."
It's a simple story, expressing the idea simply in that Atlas, the strongman has walked out on the circus. The ringmaster and clowns all think that's selfish of Atlas. The book demonstrates that Atlas does more work for the circus and draws larger crowds, earning the extra benefits that the clowns want for themselves.
We can see when Atlas walks away from his job how the circus suffers. The audience is unhappy and crowds dwindle. The cook and masseuse lose their jobs. Can the twins find Adults before he leaves town? Can they convince the ringmaster of Atlas's value to the circus? Enough so that it's worthwhile for Atlas to return?
As an adult, I'd like to see this followed up with a story that explores more critical jobs in society, such as teachers, police, medical professionals, and military. What does it look like when teachers and police begin walking away from their jobs? For many, that job is a calling, because we know they're not paid enough for what they do. Did you know that there are laws limiting teachers, nurses, and police from striking? Can you imagine what you would do if there were laws preventing you from going on strike to demand benefits or higher pay? It's sad how quickly society caves to the whims of minimum wage workers, but overlooks the true civil servants.
Good lessons for our kids. I'd say, age appropriate for our 10-year-old, but just a little over the heads of the 6-year-olds (although they still enjoy the story). As River Tam would say, "She understands. She doesn't comprehend."
February 7, 2021
Based on the anti-socialist stance in Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, Connor Boyack has written an easy to understand book for kids.
The Tuttle kids win a contest and get to be clowns when the circus comes to town. They didn't know that most of the drama goes on behind the scenes. Frustrated and angry over a pay cut, circus strong man Atlas quits. Everyone wants to enjoy all the perks Atlas had and are soon eating special meals and getting massages. Unfortunately, they also find themselves doing far more work than before. Ticket sales plummet when patrons find out the main attraction is gone. Eventually, other performers and the twins leave the circus to find Atlas and save the circus.
Using easy to understand pictures and a line graph, children are able to see how each person should be rewarded based on their contribution.
The Tuttle kids win a contest and get to be clowns when the circus comes to town. They didn't know that most of the drama goes on behind the scenes. Frustrated and angry over a pay cut, circus strong man Atlas quits. Everyone wants to enjoy all the perks Atlas had and are soon eating special meals and getting massages. Unfortunately, they also find themselves doing far more work than before. Ticket sales plummet when patrons find out the main attraction is gone. Eventually, other performers and the twins leave the circus to find Atlas and save the circus.
Using easy to understand pictures and a line graph, children are able to see how each person should be rewarded based on their contribution.
September 1, 2021
This book gave a simplified yet somewhat sympathetic treatment of the mindset that drives some people to work very hard and contribute much to an organization or our nation. However, it does lack any thorough treatment of the subject, being the equivalent of a philosophical comic. Our young boys did get interested in it, though. And, I hope that it may inspire them to work hard at the things they will be rewarded for if they engage and follow through. I just hope it serves as another starting place.
October 19, 2022
A somewhat clumsy attempt to explain the concept of socialism using a circus troupe as a microcosm of society. I felt like I had to re-explain the concepts using our business as an example instead of the circus. Also touches on supply and demand, and I was able to use the prices of snacks and drinks inside Disneyland as an example that the kids understood. I am finding the style of these books overly didactic, with the storyline a slave to the concept on which each installment is focused. Tiresome.
March 23, 2023
My favorite character is Atlas because he knew that he was not getting his fair reward and even though he was getting special treatment he was not getting enough money so he made the right choice and left. I was surprised because I thought if everyone got equal payment everything would be better than it was before not worse than it was before. No, I would not change the ending because it explains everything well and it finished the story and they explained everything well. I think they did a good job.
May 23, 2023
We are continuing our read and study through the Tuttle Twins books. This one gave a great lesson on earning what we get, rather than expecting everything to be equal as we see in socialism. Really drove home how if everything would be equal, few would bother putting in more effort or even trying to reach a higher goal.
January 31, 2025
Great book! Teaching free market economics to children! Hooray!
(Made me think about how I can make myself more valuable in the workplace, haha. Also, made me want to read Atlas Shrugged, just a little—I don’t know if I’d have the intestinal fortitude to get through it 😜)
(Made me think about how I can make myself more valuable in the workplace, haha. Also, made me want to read Atlas Shrugged, just a little—I don’t know if I’d have the intestinal fortitude to get through it 😜)
April 29, 2019
workbook and discussion questions completed.
October 17, 2020
While we have enjoyed all of the books from The Tuttle Twins, this has been our favorite of the series! I love how current issues are explain in relatable stories!
April 30, 2021
I liked every quest that they did they had lots of cool things that I didn't know about.
August 4, 2021
Read this to my kids nightly along with the other Tuttle Twin series books. They and I love them. I recommend.
August 13, 2021
quick and simple read with older elem/young HS laying foundation for capitalism vs socialism
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews