When a determined little girl sets out to help her friend, the tortoise, win a race against the rabbit, she journeys across the African landscape seeking advice from other animals. Each offers an answer, but none is particularly helpful. Discouraged but unwilling to give up, the girl continues her search until a wise elephant asks a simple yet life-changing question: What makes the tortoise special?
When a determined little girl sets out to help her friend, the tortoise, win a race against the rabbit, she journeys across the African landscape seeking advice from other animals. Each offers an answer, but none is particularly helpful. Discouraged but unwilling to give up, the girl continues her search until a wise elephant asks a simple yet life-changing question: What makes the tortoise special?
"The Tortoise and the Hare" is an Aesop fable immortalized in print books and animated cartoons. It teaches children the power of patience and perseverance; in more familiar terms, "slow and steady wins the race." The Little Girl and the Tortoise revisit the tale while exploring options that could help the tortoise finally beat the rabbit in a race. With the assistance of a little girl, the tortoise finally wins the race, but not in the way you've seen portrayed elsewhere. Join the little girl and the tortoise on their journey to find a solution to the tortoise's problem, meet a few animals, and learn their possible solutions along the way. And of course, discover a new moral of the story, one that reaches readers of all ages!
Have you heard of the phrase, "work smarter, not harder?" The Little Girl and the Tortoise touches upon this common train of thought, while embracing one's strengths. As the duo travels through the jungle, across the plains, and along the river, readers learn how other animals would have handled the tortoise's problem and why their solutions are ill-suited to the tortoise. Before reading their animals' responses, allow kids to wager a guess at what the various animals will say. Extend the learning opportunity by asking your kids to name other animals, where they live, and how they think their animal would win against the rabbit.
The Little Girl and the Tortoise is a positive, lovely story that ends with an uplifting message. Though the story was inspiring, the artwork didn't wow me. Some portions looked unfinished. I did love the color choices for the fields and the girl's dress.
I recommend The Little Girl and the Tortoise for children ages 3 to 8, and encouraging kids to share their strengths, talents, whatever makes them unique!