Turtle's Race with Beaver: A Traditional Seneca Story ANNOTATION
When Beaver challenges Turtle to a swimming race for ownership of the pond, Turtle outsmarts Beaver, and Beaver learns to share.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Turtle wakes up from hibernation to find that her pond has been taken over by a beaver-a selfish beaver who rejects Turtle's offer to share and instead challenges her to a swimming race. The prize? Ownership of the pond-and the loser must leave forever! How can poor little Turtle possibly outswim Beaver with his long flat tail? With brains and cunning, of course.
Here is a bright, rambunctious follow-up to the popular How Chipmunk Got His Stripes, which School Library Journal called, in a starred review, a "polished, cohesive, and energetic [story that] begs to be told." The authors and illustrators once again bring a fresh, lively perspective to a traditional story-this one a Seneca folktale that has much in common with Aesop.
Author Biography:
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
Following up on their How Chipmunk Got His Stripes, father-son team Joseph and James Bruchac and artists Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey present the tale of how Turtle outsmarts Beaver, who refuses to share his pond with Turtle in Turtle's Race with Beaver: A Traditional Seneca Story. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
Children's Literature - Susan Schott Karr
In a variation on "The Tortoise and the Hare," a selfish beaver refuses to share what he claims to be his pond with a turtle, even though the turtle had been there first. He challenges the turtle to a race to determine who will stay and who will go. The turtle wins, and the beaver learns, first, humility, and second, the ability to share and a bit of justice. In an authors' note to parents, we learn that although the story is an old Seneca folk tale, variations on it have appeared around the world�from Ethiopia to Mali (West Africa) to the eastern Woodlands�in written and oral form. Its telling, as well as its lesson, is universal. The art was prepared using pen and ink, gouache, and pastel. The substance here is in the telling of the story and the listening required of its audience. The tale can be read alone, yet will make a fine read-aloud book in a classroom or at bedtime. Part of its appeal will be found in the interpretation by its young readers. 2003, Dial Books for Young Readers/Penguin Putnam, Ages 4 to 8.
School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 3-This delightful folktale closely resembles Aesop's "The Tortoise and the Hare." A sweet-looking turtle lives contentedly in a beautiful pond until one spring she emerges from hibernation and discovers that another creature has overrun her domain. Beaver's dam and lodge have changed the pond's ambience very much indeed, but Turtle benevolently offers to share her home with the newcomer. However, impudent Beaver scoffs at the invitation and challenges her to a race. Word spreads throughout the forest and all the animals gather to witness the improbable spectacle. At the outset of the competition, Turtle sinks her teeth into Beaver's broad tail, and the pain eventually causes him to flip it in such a way that she is hurled across the finish line in first place. Humiliated, he leaves for another pond, and when his new home's terrapin resident agrees to share, he gratefully acquiesces. This appealing variant of the time-honored, cross-cultural tale conveys the need for cooperation, perseverance, and humility within group settings. Children will be so involved in the storytelling that they'll absorb these lessons effortlessly. Done in pen and ink, gouache, and pastel, the cheerful artwork is a wonderful match for this well-told tale.-Rosalyn Pierini, San Luis Obispo City-County Library, CA Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
Kirkus 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)
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