 I am not always a fan of “the turtle or tortoise or snail comes in last because they are slow” stories. (I still cringe at the end scene in Monsters University where the snail-monster-student gets to class after the year has ended.) Now, I do not necessarily want them to be first, (Tortoise and the Hair is great, just not all the time), I want to see other animals have the distinction of being last, or the slow one. I mean, we all have a late day now and again!
With that said, though Hurry, Little Tortoise, Time for School! has the tortoise come in last for the getting to school on time race (or second to last if you count Mr. Sloth who obviously has had a late start) the theme is more “It does not matter if you are first or last, we are all here” and less forcused on the “I am last,” even with a short scene of saying when they came (allowing for a fun educational moment) or having Cheetah being first (and around fourth as they “forgot something” and rush back home and back to school in the time it takes Tortoise to move a few inches), which felt a little pushy, but Cheetah (and the others) encourages their friend to keep trying. And the feelings of determination and frustration a child can feel in a similar situation is loud and clear. Therefore, I guess Carrie Finison and I will be good acquaintances when it comes to their stories. I am solid threes for both the picture books I have read of theirs. And Erub Kraan will be kept on my illustration radar. These bold, bright, adorable illustrations are what really made the story for me. The images are busy, but supportive to the text. The mood is set with the strong colors but soft lines. And the face the racing stripes and her helmet are featured proudly, really plays a part in my enjoyment (yes, I said it, this old grump thought it was cute). Great for ages five and up, or for a preschooler who can sit for a slightly longer story. |
The racing striped and helmeted tortoise
Hurry, Little Tortoise, Time for School by Carrie Finison