The Hare and the Tortoise Paperback – June 7, 2007

My granddaughter was having a second birthday and the theme was turtles. I was looking for a suitable book to read to the kids and I think this one was just right. There was just enough text and the wording was suitable for toddlers. I was very happy with purchase.

The best retelling ever and beautiful illustrations--fun. The world he creates pulls you in for hours of close examining--and a nice price!

This is a well-told rendition of Aesop's fable about The Hare and the Tortoise, based on the poetic version written by Jean de La Fontaine. In this story, a tortoise challenges a hare to a foot race, and because he patiently and persistently walks to the finish line, while the hare stops to eat and take a nap, the tortoise wins the race.Wildsmith's paintings are colorful and busy with detail, and his unusual use of perspective renders this story quite pleasing in its visual aspect. The tension builds pleasingly to the surprise ending.In selecting stories for children I try to minimize those with explicit moral lessons like this; but Aesop's Fables are so important in Western literature, and this one in particular is so well-known, that it is very nice to have a well-illustrated version.

beautifully illustrated

This book overall was fine...except for one page. The illustrations were a little out there, but whatever. The problem page has text that reads "The cock offered to start the race. The spectators stood back, and the cock swelled up ready to give the signal." Anyone who wants to read that to their kids should buy the book. I returned it.

This is a retelling of the fable of the tortoise and the hare. The hare was faster and confident that he would win the race, and so he stopped to enjoy himself along the way. In the end, the tortoise, with his slow and steady way, wins the race. I love the verbal part of this story. Nice lesson, short but sweet. However, I absolutely cannot stand the illustrations. They have semi-abstract backgrounds and unnaturally vivid blobs of color and just are not to my taste at all. I'll keep this book to read with my children, but I wish it had more realistic, softer illustrations.

Lovely gentle book of the well known story of the the tortoise and the hare. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful.

I Love the book ,even though they are kids it also get you thinking about being patient and determined

After watching the CBeebies performance of The Hare and the Tortoise, my daughter was keen to get the book. Lovely illustrations.

Bought this to read to the kids at school as we approached sports day - good moral to the story of how the tortoise manages to win the hare - determination and steady progress can win! The illustrations are beautiful. The kids loved it. A lovely traditional tale that I can highly recommend for young children.

Lovely illustrations by Brian Wildsmith to a well-loved tale.