Product Description

An arrogant deer who is always boasting about his speed and strength is finally challenged to a race by a wily toad. All the jungle's inhabitants -- the jaguar, the toucan, the tapir, and the armadillo -- gather to watch this unlikely competition. But with the help of his friends, the toad manages to defeat his adversary, proving the value of brains over brawn. Domi, an artist from Mexico, brings her signature brilliant palette and charming humor to the illustrations.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1271814 in Books
• Published on: 2001-09-01
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: .39" h x 10.59" w x 9.22" l, .92 pounds
• Binding: Hardcover
• 32 pages

From Publishers Weekly
In this Guatemalan variation on the tortoise-and-hare fable, the laurels go not to virtuous persistence but to crafty teamwork. When Venado, an overconfident deer, challenges the mischievous toad Sapo to a running contest, Sapo enlists the help of his friends. Unbeknown to Venado, toads hide along the race course. As Venado springs ahead, he goads Sapo by calling back, "Adelante, Tio Sapo, forward!" But each call is mysteriously answered by a Sapo-like voice ahead: "Adelante, Tio Venado, forward!" Utterly disoriented, Venado races faster and faster, wearing himself out before he reaches the finish. Lightly peppered with Spanish expressions, Mora's (The Desert Is My Mother) text is organically bicultural. But Sapo's crucial scheme is nearly buried in an encyclopedic cast of rainforest characters, confusing the focus of the story. First-time illustrator Brooks, who spent much of her youth in Guatemala, smooths over the busy text with bold folk paintings. Flat, rounded compositions absorb the heat of her quasi-electric palette, containing the motion within an festive, well-modulated tempo. Ages 2-6.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
K-Gr 2-Venado, the wood deer, considers himself king of the jungle, a position he feels he merits by virtue of being the biggest and fastest of its inhabitants. While biggest is not in dispute, T'o Sapo, the old toad, feels that he is the fastest. When Venado challenges Sapo to a race, the outcome is decided not so much by speed as by wits. This Guatemalan version of "The Tortoise and the Hare" is retold in straightforward, snappy language that begs for oral presentation. It is soundly complemented by Domi's brilliantly colored, kinetic watercolors. Primitive forms that sometimes seem to be free-floating on vibrant, multihued backgrounds give the impression of a jungle teeming with life. Pair this with Janet Stevens's The Tortoise and the Hare (Holiday, 1984) for a cross-cultural look at a popular folk motif.

Ann Welton, Grant Elementary School, Tacoma, WA

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Ages 3-6. This Mayan spin on the story of the tortoise and hare was published in another version by Mora in 1995 under the same title. Here, Mora's rewritten text matches up with new illustrations in a bright new edition that is great for reading aloud. When Sapo the toad and Venado the deer challenge each other to a race, Sapo enlists the help of his jungle friends, outsmarts Venado, and wins. There's no gloating, though. Venado learns his lessons about pride and humility, but he's still cheered on and accepted by the others. The new text is well paced, lyrical, and sprinkled with Spanish phrases that kids can easily pick up. Some children may have trouble identifying the animal figures in the wild patterns of Domi's childlike, abstract watercolors, especially at a distance. But most little ones will respond to the cheery action and energy in the spreads, painted in sun-saturated, brilliant shades. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved