The Fastest Tortoise in Town

When Lorraine spots a notice advertising a Fun Run, she sees no reason why her tortoise (curiously named Barbara Hendricks after an American opera singer) should not take part. Barbara, on the other hand, sees an overwhelming reason – she is well known for being slow with zero chance of winning. Undeterred, Lorraine organises an impressive training regime for Barbara involving weights and daily walks. Barbara is despondent and on the day of the race just wants to curl up in her shell.  Lorraine persuades her to take part by imagining the race is just another walk. Her competitors include a sloth and a snail (the best of the best in Barbara’s eyes!) By placing one foot in front of the other Barbara begins the race, gaining confidence as she goes and flying across the finish line to win, congratulated by a roaring crowd. After the race a hare bounds over to her and suggests they should have a race too…

A very amusing story, the illustrations adding additional detail and humour, the changing expressions of the tortoise are particularly clever. Page design emphasises the ups and downs of the story – the practice sessions and the drama of the race itself.

With a deft link to Aesop’s famous fable, The Hare and the Tortoise, at the end of the book, this is a very enjoyable picture book about perseverance, focus, encouragement and believing in yourself.