The Hare and the Tortoise
PreSchool-Grade 3?Jones applies the same peek-hole format she used in This Old Man (1990) and The Cat Sat on the Mat (1994, both Houghton) to her version of this classic fable. Here, the die-cut holes are more of an ornamental gimmick than an integral part of the book. The visual strength lies in the colorful line-and-wash paintings. The story can easily be told through the playful illustrations. Each spread is filled with humorous details that will keep young readers coming back for another look. The text, like the pictures, embellishes the basic story. This is not just a contest between the tortoise and an ordinary hare; this hare, possibly the "forest's first Olympic champion," is frequently featured in the sport's pages. Other animals play significant roles in the race. Purists may find that the extras detract from the story's action and moral, while fans of folklore updates will appreciate the contemporary humor. Those children who are already familiar with the original fable should have fun with this version. Janet Stevens's The Tortoise and the Hare (Holiday, 1984) is another amusing, modern, but more straightforward, version.?Heide Piehler, Shorewood Public Library, WICopyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.