Turtle's Race with Beaver

by Joseph Bruchac, Ariane Dewey (Illustrator), Jose Aruego (Illustrator)

Overview

Turtle lives in a beautiful little pond with everything a happy turtle needs. But one spring, Turtle awakes from hibernation to discover that her lovely home has been invaded! A pushy beaver takes over Turtle's beloved pond and refuses to share. Instead, he challenges her to a race to determine who can stay. But how can a little turtle outswim a big, powerful beaver? This charming fable of brains versus brawn is a great read for all the young readers in the forest to share!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780142404669
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	10/06/2005
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	10.06(w) x 8.06(h) x 0.12(d)
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

Joseph Bruchac is a highly acclaimed children's book author, poet, novelist and storyteller, as well as a scholar of Native American culture. Coauthor with Michael Caduto of the bestselling Keepers of the Earth series, Bruchac's poems, articles and stories have appeared in hundreds of publications, from Akwesasne Notes and American Poetry Review to National Geographic and Parabola. He has authored many books for adults and children including Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two, Skeleton Man, and The Heart of a Chief. For more information about Joseph, please visit his website www.josephbruchac.com.

Editorial Reviews

In the spirit of the traditional "Hare and the Tortoise," the Bruchacs retell a Seneca tale. Turtle is happy in his pond, which is just deep enough and has rocks to sun on. When Beaver decides to make some changes, consequently making the pond deeper and submerging the rocks, Turtle knows they must discuss how to share the pond. Not willing to share, Beaver challenges Turtle to a swim across the pond; the victor shall have the pond all to himself. Predictably, Turtle outwits Beaver, and despite Turtle's offer that they can still share the space, Beaver leaves in embarrassment. Beaver travels to a nearby pond, but this time he's willing to share with the turtle he finds there. The artists' trademark energy-filled pen-and-ink and gouache illustrations enhance the tale with color and humor. Each animal bursts with personality in this sure winner. (Picture book/folklore. 5-9)

Kirkus Reviews