Hare and Tortoise

by Alison Murray, Alison Murray (Illustrator)

Overview

Alison Murray offers an enchanting retelling of a much-loved Aesop’s fable with a mischievous twist.

Hare (Leapus swifticus) can barely stay still for a minute. He’s the fastest on the farm. Tortoise (Slow and steadicus) can stay still for a very long time. She has occasionally been mistaken for a rock. So when they decide to have a race, Hare is certain to win . . . isn’t he? Through the meadow, around the duck pond, and straight into the carrot field. Carrots? Oh, dear. Whether encountering the classic tale for the first time or tracing the racecourse map to relive it, children will be quick to realize Hare’s folly and eager to join the cheering for easygoing, persistent Tortoise. She may be slow, but watch her go!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780763687212
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	05/24/2016
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.60(w) x 11.70(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	AD470L (what's this?)
Age Range:	2 - 5 Years

About the Author

Alison Murray is the author-illustrator of several books for children, including Hickory Dickory Dog, The House That Zack Built, and Princess Penelope and the Runaway Kitten. She lives in Scotland.

Editorial Reviews

It’s hard to tell a well-known tale in a fresh, new way, but Allison Murray accomplishes that in her version of these famous competitors...A friendly ending wraps up this excellent piece of bookmaking and reminds us there is more to life than winning—maybe a shared lettuce patch?
—Booklist (starred review)

A delightful and witty retelling of the traditional Aesop fable...The illustrations are the perfect blend of full color and white space. Each character, though simply rendered, shows emotions and energy levels that really aid in telling the story. An absolutely successful retelling of the classic tale; great for storytimes and recommended for any fable collection.
—School Library Journal (starred review)

Murray's storytelling and digital pictures are both balanced and buoyant. The story reads as though it's a book-format Looney Tunes short, from paintings that mimic freeze frames and a sports-commentator voice. Clever and appealing.
—Kirkus Reviews

With warm, lively digital art and snappy narrated text, this new rendition of Aesop’s famous race will make a funny and satisfying read-aloud for both those familiar with the fable and those coming to it for the first time...Smart design makes the story more engaging through strategic page-turns and page layouts that cleverly illustrate the widening gap between the two characters as they make their way through the meadow and past the duck pond, the carrot field, and the shady tree.
—The Horn Book

Timeless and timely, Aesop again invites families to talk about the almost inevitable consequences of sloppy habits and boasting.
—San Francisco Chronicle

From the Publisher

★ 04/01/2016
PreS-Gr 1—A delightful and witty retelling of the traditional Aesop fable. The story remains true to the original, while adding in wonderfully quirky descriptions of the main characters. In doing so, Murray makes the well-known animals that much more lovable. It is impossible not to smile at Tortoise's catchphrase, "I may be slow, but watch me go," as she trundles along at the bottom of the pages. An added bonus is the modeling of good sportsmanship by both characters, who go off to celebrate in the lettuce patch at the end of the tale. The illustrations are the perfect blend of full color and white space. Each character, though simply rendered, shows emotions and energy levels that really aid in telling the story. VERDICT An absolutely successful retelling of the classic tale; great for storytimes and recommended for any fable collection.—Jasmine L. Precopio, Fox Chapel Area School District, Pittsburgh

School Library Journal

2016-01-20
A modern retelling of the Aesop classic. (Spoiler alert: slow but steady again wins the race.) Hare leaps high as he speeds through the tall grass, stopping long enough for the narrator to present a profile of its attributes. "Leapus swifticus" has "extra twitchy" whiskers, hind legs "coiled like springs," and so on. And "he has NEVER been known to resist a carrot." His opponent, "Slow and steadicus," is barely distinguishable from a rock, "but she will always do her best." When the blue rooster crows, the race is on. The finish line is on the farm, right next to the big pink barn. "I'm so fast, I fly past," Hare sings, to which Tortoise replies, "I may be slow, but watch me go." The race proceeds according to form, until Hare reaches the carrot field. Tortoise is miles behind, so Hare figures he has time for "a few nibbles…and a tiny nap." Of course the nap lengthens, and Hare's lead shortens. Tortoise tiptoes through the carrot field, and by the time hare wakes up, it's too late. A gracious winner, Tortoise suggests another race, to the lettuce patch. Murray's storytelling and digital pictures are both balanced and buoyant. The story reads as though it's a book-format Looney Tunes short, from paintings that mimic freeze frames to a sports-commentator voice. Clever and appealing. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews