The Tortoise and the Hare

by Bernadette Watts (Illustrator), Bernadette Watts (Retold by)

Overview

Slow and steady wins the race in this classic fable by Aesop and illustrated by the legendary European artist Bernadette Watts.

When Tortoise says to Hare, “I bet I can beat you in a running race!” all the animals laugh. Tortoise puts one foot in front of the next. Hare stops to nibble carrot tops and cabbages. . . . Who will have the last laugh?

Bernadette’s vibrant palette and thoughtful illustrations encourage readers to move at a tortoise’s pace to admire every detail.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780735844131
Publisher:	NorthSouth Books
Publication date:	05/05/2020
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.20(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Bernadette Watts, known throughout Europe simply as Bernadette, has illustrated many dozens of folk- and fairy tales. Born in England, she loved to draw from childhood. She studied at the Maidstone Art School in Kent, UK, and for some time was taught by Brian Wildsmith and David Hockney. Bernadette’s many beautiful books include The Snow Queen and The Little Drummer Boy. Bernadette finds her inspiration in nature. Today she lives and works in Kent. She has been illustrating for NorthSouth Books and NordSüd Verlag since the beginning of her career fifty years ago.

Bernadette Watts, known throughout Europe simply as Bernadette, has illustrated many dozens of folk- and fairy tales. Born in England, she loved to draw from childhood. She studied at the Maidstone Art School in Kent, UK, and for some time was taught by Brian Wildsmith and David Hockney. Bernadette’s many beautiful books include The Snow Queen and The Little Drummer Boy. Bernadette finds her inspiration in nature. Today she lives and works in Kent. She has been illustrating for NorthSouth Books and NordSüd Verlag since the beginning of her career fifty years ago.

Editorial Reviews

PreS-Gr 1Miles's introduction informs parents that "old stories" are good for new readers because of their use of familiar story lines and repetitive words. The author then uses these techniques in her retelling of this classic Aesop fable, using only dialogue, keeping the words to a minimum, and repeating certain phrases throughout. While the tale itself remains unchanged, this version has a modern bent to it, expressed primarily through the cartoon illustrations. All of the animals are dressed in colorful clothing, except for Tortoise, who wears nothing but his shell and a pair of sneakers. They all sport letters on their chests (Tortoise wears a `T,' Hare an `H,' and Bear a `B") except for Fox, who has his whole name on his shirt. These cleverly placed clues will help children remember what letter each animal's name starts with. Amusing details include Tortoise's little round glasses perched on the end of his nose and the banners that cheer on the racers. A great choice for beginning readers to tackle on their own.Dina Sherman, Brooklyn Children's Museum, NY

School Library Journal

The well-known fable is economized in a Ready-to-Read edition from Miles (see review, above); the events of the race now take place entirely in dialogue, sometimes in a Dick-and-Jane staccato. Quotation marks and speech bubbles have been abandoned in favor of brief blocks of text placed in proximity to each animal speaker. Once the race begins, it's not long before Hare settles into a nap; a night and a day later, bespectacled, sneaker-wearing Tortoise is still plodding along, slow but steady, coaching himself—"One step, another step. One step and another" until he takes first place. Meisel's whimsical, uncluttered line drawings fit the format well, bright enough to attract attention and to express action. Larger animal characters sport T-shirts with identifying letters—H for Hare, B for Bear—while a cheering section of smaller creatures displays banners proclaiming "Yippee" and "Hooray," highlighting the tale with humor. (Picture book. 5-7)

Kirkus Reviews

"a vivid retelling of an ever-fresh fable"

Midwest Book Review

"'The Tortoise and the Hare' is a fresh retelling of the old Aesop Fable so much beloved by past generations of young readers."- Midwest Book Review

From the Publisher