Native American Literature

Turtle's Race with Beaver

Bibiliography:

Bruchac, Joseph and Bruchac, James. 2003. Turtles Race With Beaver. Illustrations, Aruego, Jose and Dewey, Ariane.  Dial Books for Young Readers, NY, New York. ISBN 0-8037-2852-2.

Plot Summary:

This is a version of "The Tortoise and the Hare" adapted from the Seneca oral tradition. It is a classic story of wisdom versus physical strength.  This version is about a turtle and a beaver who both claim the pond is theirs. Instead of choosing to work together and share the pond, the beaver challenges the turtle to a race. Knowing she does not have any hope of winning the race, turtle accepts the challenge.

Crititical Analysis:

The Bruchac's use the familiar story of the Tortoise and the Hare but tell it in the Traditional Seneca oral version. Turtle lives in the pond and find the Beaver has built a dam. She offers to share the pond, but Beaver refuses and offers a race as the solution.  All the animals come out to watch, and surprisingly Turtle wins.  The illustrations are cute, showing a lot of detail in the scenery and animals as well as their faces.  Bruchac pulls on his Indian Heritage and uses stories from his Grandfather and other Indian elders.

Review Excerpts:

"Polished, cohesive, and energetic...the story begs to be told."  School Library Journal

"The illustrations extend the humor of the text perfectly...a winner." Kirkus

Connections:

Joseph Bruchac's webpage:  www.josephbruchac.com

www.josephbruchac.com/bruchac_biography.html

First People-The Legends  www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Legends/TurtlesRaceWithBear-Iroquois.html

Native American Legends