The Tortoise & The Hare
A Review by Amanda Kendall
Bibliography:
Aesop. 2013. The Tortoise & The Hare. Ill. Jerry Pinkney. New York: Little, Brown and Company. 0316183563
Plot Summary:
Surrounded by an eclectic collection of forest animals, Tortoise and Hare plan a race. They move to the starting line and wait for the signal. The Hare explodes off the starting line, while Tortoise takes things at his own pace. He climbs over a tree, summits a mountain of rocks, and wades across a river without ever giving up. After taking a tremendous lead, the Hare notices a broken garden fence and is lured inside by the promise of fresh produce. He overindulges in the delicious greens and falls asleep. Meanwhile, having never given up, the Tortoise rounds the corner, moseys past the snoozing hare, and is about to reach the finish line when the Hare wakes up and upon realizing he is about to lose, makes one last attempt to beat the Tortoise, but it is too late. The Tortoise has won and in a show of good sportsmanship, the Hare joins his friends in congratulating the Tortoise on his victory.
Analysis:
Jerry Pinkney retells this classic fable through his exquisite illustrations and carefully chosen words. Although the text is sparse, it conveys the struggle, determination, and perseverance of the turtle as he moves, "slow slow slow and steady" across the many obstacles in his way. The repetition of slow and steady as well as the build up to the final sentence captures the story perfectly. Children will happily join in while reading the text, chanting "slow and steady wins the race."
The intricately designed illustrations not only captures the reader's imagination, but allows the reader to see and almost hear the characters come to life. Character expressions and Pikney's attention to detail clearly convey each character's mood. From the star of the tale, the Tortoise, to the patience and supportive field mice along the way, the characters fill the pages with genuine enthusiasm for the race allowing the fable's message of perseverance and grit to shine through until the very end.
The intricately designed illustrations not only captures the reader's imagination, but allows the reader to see and almost hear the characters come to life. Character expressions and Pikney's attention to detail clearly convey each character's mood. From the star of the tale, the Tortoise, to the patience and supportive field mice along the way, the characters fill the pages with genuine enthusiasm for the race allowing the fable's message of perseverance and grit to shine through until the very end.
Reviews:
From School Library Journal: "Pinkney has created yet another stunning interpretation of a classic tale in this virtually wordless picture book."
From Kirkus: "A captivating winner—start to finish!"
From Publisher's Weekly: "Pinkney’s portraits are so lifelike that the animals appear to breathe, and they present a peaceable kingdom in which predators and prey live in harmony."
From School Library Journal: "Pinkney has created yet another stunning interpretation of a classic tale in this virtually wordless picture book."
From Kirkus: "A captivating winner—start to finish!"
From Publisher's Weekly: "Pinkney’s portraits are so lifelike that the animals appear to breathe, and they present a peaceable kingdom in which predators and prey live in harmony."
Connections:
More Folktales Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney:
More Folktales Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney:
- The Lion and the Mouse. 0316013560
- The Three Billy Goats Gruff. 0316341576
- The Grasshopper and the Ants. 0316400815
- Murray, Alison. Hare and Tortoise. 0763687219
- Watts, Bernadette. The Tortoise and the Hare. 0735842078
- Morrison, Tony & Slade. The Tortoise or the Hare & The Grasshopper. 0316400815
- Read with a variety of illustrated fables to discuss theme and author's message. Create a fable and theme sort for students to match stories with themes.
- Compare and contrast the character traits and actions of both main characters with a Venn-diagram.
- Use paper plates and construction paper to create "slow and steady" turtles. Then, create a list of real-life examples when "slow and steady" can help you win the race.
