THE SECOND RACE OF RABBIT AND TORTOISE

Will Rabbit learn from his mistakes or repeat them?

Rabbit and Tortoise begin their race. Overconfident Rabbit naps and then plays along the route only to find Tortoise waiting at the finish line. The next day, they line up for another race. Rabbit is determined to win this time. Rabbit passes a nice shady napping spot and is tempted to stop. Then he remembers what Granddad Goat says: “Learning from the past is how you improve. If you never fix your mistakes, you will always fall behind.” Rabbit keeps running. In a twist, Tortoise, who is sure Rabbit is napping, takes a snooze himself. At the rocky hills, Rabbit is even more ready for a break, but he remembers his mother’s advice about learning from others and keeps on running. Tortoise, on the other hand, stops to play with some fish despite the urging of spectators. A cat and then a butterfly try to get Rabbit to stop to rest or play, but he runs on in order to prove he can learn from past mistakes. Rabbit finishes first, and the animals celebrate. Tortoise asks Rabbit’s secret; Rabbit replies, “You taught me not to repeat my past mistakes.” Huang’s stylized, cartoon animals add significant pep to this fable from Aesop and its instructive second act. Round-headed Rabbit will elicit giggles as he runs, eyes shut tight with determination, perspiration dripping from his forehead, and feet frantically churning to stay ahead. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Imported from China, a lesson well taught if that’s what’s sought.