Road Signs: A Hare-Y Race With a Tortoise [Hardcover]

Margery Cuyler (Author), Steve Haskamp (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

In this unique rendering of Aesop's classic fable, the Tortoise and the Hare race along a route lined both with actual and made-up road signs as well as signs held in the air by spectators. The famous competitors brave a rain shower, a broken bridge, construction detours, and lots of dips, bumps, and steep grades, while children read entertaining signs like "Bad hare day" and "Tortoises have cute knees!"

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"One windy spring day, Hare challenged Tortoise to a race. Hare was sure that he would win, but would he?" That's the beginningAand the endAof Cuyler's (100th Day Worries) narrative in this misfired interpretation of Aesop's fable; from then on, Haskamp's sometimes humorous, often confusing illustrations take over, showing road signs and partisan placards (e.g., "Go Tortoise" and "Bad Hare Day") displayed by cheering animals with exaggerated expressions. In the end, the effect is chaotic: puns on the word Hare (such as "Hare-rod's Store") appearing on signs and storefronts compete with ineffective demonstrations of the road signs' meanings. For example, one page shows a rainfall's effects, with a split panel of the two characters: the hare passes a sign that says "Flood Area," with no flood in evidence; and the tortoise, outfitted against the rain with umbrella and wellies, overtakes a "Pass With Care" sign. It's hard to see how the intended age group will use this book, even with previous knowledge of the fable. Although the closing spread read: "Moral: Hard work pays off!," the hard work for readers will be to follow the logic of the road signs herein. Ages 3-6. (Aug.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-Yet another race between those age-old rivals, the earnest tortoise and the brash, overconfident hare. Here they run through a paved rural and suburban landscape filled with detours, closed roads, falling rocks, and other impediments. Naturally, Hare ignores the signs and falls into difficulties while Tortoise plugs on to victory following all the warnings. In addition to the road signs, animal spectators wave paw-held placards with jeers, encouragements, and pun-filled slogans such as "Hare comes Hare" and "Bad Hare Day." Except for the two opening sentences, the pictures and signs tell the story without additional narrative. This is largely successful, though in a few places readers must surmise interim events. An alarmed-looking Hare in the lead heads toward a falling-rock zone, for example, and on the next page it is raining and Tortoise has surged ahead. Was Hare held up by the falling rocks? Later Hare appears in a hot-air balloon and still later, driving a train. Where they came from is not clear. However, the signs are fun to read, and Haskamp's bright acrylic-on-canvas illustrations are playful and appealing. Children can follow the whole route of the race on the endpapers. While not as successful in relating the traditional story as Janet Stevens's The Tortoise and the Hare (Holiday, 1984), Roadsigns will provide reading practice, sign recognition, and good fun for both one-on-one sharing and independent reading.
Louise L. Sherman, formerly at Anna C. Scott School, Leonia, NJ
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Winslow Pr (September 30, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890817236
• ISBN-13: 978-1890817237
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,034,984 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Learn to Read by Reading Signs, October 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Road Signs: A Hare-Y Race With a Tortoise (Hardcover)

This book is loads of fun. Tortoise and Hare's race is accompanied by road signs instead of a narrative text -- and kids can practice their reading by seeing normal road signs and funny signs with slogans such as BAD HARE DAY. A truly innovative and entertaining way to sight read. Story told through sprightly, colorful art with lots of charm.