Hare and Tortoise
Alison Murray
Orchard Books
I had such fun reading aloud Alison Murray’s exuberant retelling of the ever-popular Aesop’s fable.
First we are introduced to the two adversaries: there’s Hare (of the genus leapus swifticus) and indeed he truly is as he bounds joyfully across the first spread – but keeping still is not his forte. His skills include running through the tickliest grass, rushing around rivers and ponds, nipping over misty meadows (and never thus far has he been known to resist a carrot). Take note of all this as he prepares to meet … Tortoise (genus slow and steadicus). Her chief skill is the ability to stay still for very long periods. Other claims to fame (well perhaps not fame – yet anyhow) are inability to run through tickliest grass, run around rivers, nor nipping over misty meadows. (She however, can always be relied on to do her best.) Of this more later …
We follow the two as they line up at the designated start …. Ready … Steady …

All geared up and ‘Cock-a-doodle-GO!” They’re off: Hare full pelt through the tickliest grass, Tortoise trundling slowly behind. Next it’s around the duck pond

and then Hare reaches the carrot field. O-Oh! A few nibbles – no problem but … as a tiny nap becomes a sleep filled with dreams of race winning …

and loud cheers, Tortoise trundles ever onward, tootling and tiptoeing towards her goal.
But what’s that cheering? Oh dear Hare, it certainly isn’t for you …

– despite that desperate final dash.

A terrific ‘production’ for that’s what this Murray adaptation of the greatest race ever, really is. As the seconds tick by, despite knowing the outcome, we cannot help but eagerly anticipate the final denouement and applaud loudly as trusty Tortoise receives her winner’s rosette. Smashing endpapers too. Three cheers for Tortoise, (and Hare) and, undoubtedly, for Alison Murray. She’s got a winner here.

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