Review by Booklist Review
*Starred Review* It's hard to tell a well-known tale in a fresh, new way, but Murray accomplishes that in her version of these famous competitors. From the appealing front cover, dominated by a large, confident rabbit, everything is done with care. Endpapers show the race course, complete with a scale of Hare hops and Tortoise tootles. The animals appear as friends, one overly self-assured and jumpy (guess which), the other laid-back and unassuming. Fun facts that parody scientific terms are included Hare is a Leapus swifticus, with ears accustomed to the sound of cheering; Tortoise is Slow and steadicus, willing to give it a go even though she is slow. Other animals make brief appearances, including the impressive Rooster, who starts the race. Bright colors in the simple landscape, especially the rosy sun, add to the good feeling this book creates, as do the heft of the pages. There is repetition to encourage participation, and illustrations with bounce (Hare literally runs off the page). 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? Pair with The Great Race (2011) by Kevin O'Malley for a different account.--Ching, Edie Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
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 c Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
With warm, lively digital art and snappy narrated text, this new rendition of Aesops 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. Giving the race the due diligence of a very serious sporting event (to comedic effect), the book introduces the two characters with much fanfare, including detailed charts meant to identify advantages and disadvantages. ("The Hare. Leapus swifticus. Eyes. Sharply focused on the finish line. Head. Perhaps a little bit big." "The Tortoise. Slow and steadicus. fig. 1. Tortoise. fig 2. Rock.") When the rooster crows "Cock-a-doodle-GO!" the race is on, and Hare charges off the page, leaving a stunned tortoise far behind. 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. Hares overconfidence lures him into complacency (with some carrots and a nap), and Tortoise manages to slip past and beat him to the barn-gate finish line. A gracious winner, Tortoise doesnt let Hare dwell in disappointment for long -- she suggests a follow-up race to the lettuce patch. julie roach (c) Copyright 2016. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
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 nibblesand 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) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
