The Fastest Tortoise in Town

By Howard Calvert, Karen Obuhanych (Illustrator)

A tortoise races against unlikely competitors, discovering the power of perseverance and self-love.

4.0/5 Goodreads · 276 ratings

32 pages· 516 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud

$18.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Barbara, a determined tortoise, enters a road race with only a week to prepare. Facing off against a slow loris, snail, sloth, and walrus, she doubts her chances. Encouraged by her friend Lorraine, Barbara trains daily, learning that effort and self-belief are her true victories. Will she find the courage to compete and embrace her own pace?

From the publisher

The fable of the tortoise and the hare receives a charming new spin in this wonderfully illustrated, cheering tale about a lovable and relatable trouper. Barbara Hendricks, a tortoise, has entered a road race, but what was she thinking? With only a week to go before the big day, she worries that she doesn’t stand a chance against the other animals competing. Barbara’s friend and owner, Lorraine, inspires her to train a little bit more each day and coaxes her out of her shell when the race day arrives. How intimidating to line up next to the slow loris, the snail, the sloth, and the walrus! But Barbara realizes that if she just tries her best, she’s already won. Adorably illustrated in rich color and detail and told with splashes of dry humor, this touching story of perseverance celebrates all that can be accomplished with a little preparation and a lot of self-love.

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