The Great Race

Two bicyclists - a tortoise and a hare - encounter each other on a country road and decide to race into town. Along the way, each rider faces different distractions, challenges and choices that impact their journey. The town's residents line the streets to watch the race unfold, while the two competitors pedal their way through the scenic route. Their path takes them past farms, through neighborhoods, and into the bustling center of town. This tale offers a fresh take on a classic fable, bringing themes of persistence and distraction into a modern context. The story explores how different approaches to achieving a goal can lead to unexpected results.

Readers consistently mention this picture book's message about winning versus participating. Parents appreciate using it to teach children about friendship and sportsmanship. Liked: - Simple, clear moral without being preachy - Engaging illustrations of animals - Short enough for young children's attention spans - Good conversation starter about competition - Works well for ages 3-7 Disliked: - Some found the story predictable - A few noted the ending felt abrupt - Limited character development Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (419 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (29 ratings) From reviews: "This helped my competitive 5-year-old understand that having fun matters more than winning" - Goodreads reviewer "The turtle and the rabbit are drawn with such personality" - Amazon reviewer "Would have liked more depth to the story and characters" - School Library Journal reader review

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🏃 David McPhail wrote and illustrated over 100 children's books during his career, beginning with his first publication in 1972. 🚂 The story's portrayal of trains reflects McPhail's childhood fascination with railroads, as he grew up near train tracks in Newburyport, Massachusetts. 🎨 Each illustration in The Great Race was created using pen and ink with watercolor, McPhail's signature artistic style. 🏆 The book's theme of friendship overcoming competition resonates with young readers and has made it a popular choice for teaching sportsmanship in elementary schools. 🐘 The unlikely pairing of an elephant and a seal as racing competitors was inspired by McPhail's belief that unlikely friendships make the best stories for children.