The Tortoise's Gift: A Story from Zambia (Animal Stories)
Tortoise is able to use his natural characteristics (slow and steady) to solve a dilemma that proves to be beyond the talents of defter animals. This Zambian folktale about a wonderful tree with a very tricky name, and the hungry animals who seek to learn (and remember) that name, has been adapted by Don as a chapter book for early readers. The repetitious nature of the story is well suited to the format, while the colorful and playful illustrations have the appeal of a picture book. Released simultaneously with Never Trust a Tiger, a story from Korea. Grades 1-3. --Kara Dean