Turtle's Race with Beaver Review

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Bruchac, Joseph and Bruchac, James. 2003. Turtle's Race with Beaver. Ill. by Jose Aruego and Araine Dewey. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 0-8037-2852-2.

In this traditional Seneca folktale the weaker turtle outsmarts the stronger beaver to win a race that determines who gets to call a pond home. Turtle is very happy living in the pond that has everything she needs, "just deep enough" water, "plenty of food," and "lots of nice rocks" for sunning herself. While Turtle hibernates one winter, Beaver happens upon the lovely pond and decides to build a dam and a lodge where he lives contentedly until spring. With the return of spring, Turtle awakes and after much swimming to break the surface, finds her pond has changed. She sadly notes that all her rocks are underwater due to the dam, but graciously offers to share the pond with Beaver anyway since she has lived there her whole life. Beaver refuses, challenging Turtle to a race to determine who will get to live in the pond. Not wanting to lose her home Turtle accepts despite knowing that Beaver is a much better swimmer. 

The next morning all the woodland animals gather to see the race across the pond. Bear starts the race with, "On your mark...get set...GO!". Beaver leaps into the water expecting to leave Turtle far behind, but Turtle has thought of a plan. Turtle bites Beaver's tail, holding on tighter the faster Beaver swims until finally the shore is within sight. Once Turtle is close enough she bites down hard causing Beaver to cry out and throw his tail out of the water sending Turtle flying onto the shore where she is able to cross the finish line first. All the animals cheer the clever Turtle and again she offers to share the pond with Beaver, but he is so embarrassed that he leaves. Eventually the dam breaks and Turtle lives happily in her pond for many long years. Beaver finds another pond where a turtle is living happily and this time he decides to share, so they also live happily for many long years. 

This Native American tale is similar to Aesop's fable The Tortoise and the Hare and the author's note points out, " ...such stories are found all around the world." Both authors offer interesting comments about traditional tales and storytelling in the note, so it is well worth reading.

The pen-and-ink, gouache, and pastel illustrations are cartoon-like and full of color inviting the reader to interact with the page and feel the excitement of the challenge. The use of all capital letters also reflects the urgency of the race as it progresses. The seeming simplicity of the illustrations offers a nod to the oral tradition and the lifestyle of the peoples who originated the folktales and keep them alive even today. I was not familiar with gouache techniques so I did some additional reading at this site if you would like more information http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gouache.

Joseph Bruchac is the author of more than 120 books and has been writing for more than thirty years according to his website http://josephbruchac.com/index.html. He creates books, poetry, and music that pay homage to his Abenaki Indian heritage and Native American traditions.

James Bruchac is the oldest son of Joseph Bruchac. He is an author, storyteller, and wildlife expert who works with organizations around the world presenting programs for children and adults. More can be learned about James at his home page http://www.jamesbruchac.com/pages/home.php.

Ilustrators Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey have collaborated on over sixty children's books including Leo the Late Bloomer. To discover more about their books visit HarperCollins at http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/Kids/AuthorsAndIllustrators/ContributorDetail.aspx?CId=12017 and http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/Kids/AuthorsAndIllustrators/ContributorDetail.aspx?CId=11745.

In a 2003 review School Library Journal noted, "...the cheerful artwork is a wonderful match for this well-told tale." Booklist commented that ,"...cheering animal spectators invites audience participation..." and suggest it for reading aloud and encourage follow-up discussions.

A visit from a storyteller would be the ideal follow-up to this title, as well as further exploration of traditional Native American tales. A variety of art projects could be done also that could reflect pond life, Native American art and artists, and even cartooning. I read this with my six-year-old great-nephew and he thoroughly enjoyed it. We laughed at the expressive faces of the animals and talked about who would win before reaching the end. My great-nephew was quite satisfied with Turtle's clever solution and gratified to know that strongest doesn't always mean the win is guaranteed. Later my niece told me he has been dealing with a bully at school, so I better understood why he focused on that aspect of the story. Maybe the story will help him find a clever solution, too, along with the support he is getting from teachers and family.

Amazon. Editorial reviews. http://www.amazon.com/Turtles-Beaver-Joseph-James-Bruchac/dp/0142404667. (Accessed September 23, 2013.)