Help the preschooler trace two plate-sized circles onto a large sheet of cardboard with a dark, washable marker. Use a paper plate or make your own shape template using poster board. These will be the front and back covers of the book.
Cut the circles out with scissors. An adult should complete this step because of the thickness of the cardboard.
Help the child trace at least three circles onto construction paper using the cardboard circles as a template. These will be the pages of the book.
Cut out the construction paper circles. Some preschoolers may be able to handle this step by themselves or with minimal adult assistance. If your child cannot, provide verbal encouragement or (as a last resort) jump in and cut the circles out yourself.
Draw or trace four rectangles as feet and one circle as a head onto green construction paper. The rectangles should be about 3-by-4 inches, and the circle should be about four inches across. Help the child cut out the paper shapes and glue them to the cover cardboard circle.
Invite the child to decorate the front cover using markers. Make a turtle shell pattern using green, brown and tan markers. Draw eyes, a mouth and nostrils on the head.
Punch two holes about three inches apart in the front and back cover, as well as the construction-paper pages. Thread two 6-inches pieces of yarn through the holes and tie.
Have the child fill the book's pages with drawings of photos of turtles from magazines. Add simple turtle-themed words that the child can write or trace.