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An Undersea Grotto to Soothe Restless Children

The Tranquil Turtle's unique feature is the underwater light effect it creates with tiny lights that revolve beneath its opaque shell.The Tranquil Turtle's unique feature is the underwater effect it creates with tiny lights that revolve beneath its opaque shell.

It's a struggle faced by many bleary-eyed parents: getting their children to sleep at night. The Tranquil Turtle from Cloud B is here to lend a helping flipper by combining three sleep aids in one: a plush toy, a night light and a music box.

The turtle's unique feature is the underwater effect it creates with tiny lights that shine beneath its opaque shell. The lights revolve slowly, casting a shimmery, aquamarine scene across the ceiling.

The turtle also plays a tune or, for parents who p refer ambient sounds, the soft rumble of distant ocean waves.

To save battery power, the turtle shuts off automatically after 23 minutes. If your child wakes up after that, it's up to you to turn the turtle back on, because there is no option for continuous play. It would be nice if the turtle included a timer that could run for at least an hour or two, because children often wake up the moment their music shuts off.

On a recent trip to Boston to visit my brother, I tried out the turtle with my 3-year-old niece, whose nighttime routine typically includes 30 minutes of storytelling, followed by a similar amount of cajoling. The turtle's undersea light show provided a soothing distraction, while the soft music helped create a calming atmosphere.

The Tranquil Turtle lists for $55, but it can be found at retailers like Amazon.com and Bed, Bath and Beyond for around $40.