Who Will Win?

February 1, 2023

PreS-Gr 1-Written by a member of the Mohawk Nation, this beginning reader opens with a Native youth asking an elder to tell a story. What follows, based on a Native American tale, features a turtle and a bear racing across a stretch of ice. "Bear has fast legs" and runs over the ice, while Turtle, with his "fast mind," races beneath. Though Bear speeds along, Turtle is somehow always ahead, popping up through holes in the ice. When Turtle wins, a twist reveals that he had some help along the way, and he shares the prize with Bear. Short, simple sentences and repeated words and phrases make the text accessible to emergent readers. A few Kanien'k�ha (Mohawk) words used in the opening and closing are defined on the copyright page. The illustrations, rendered digitally, capture a snowy winter setting in shades of blue, green, and brown, and successfully convey the energy and movement of the race. The bear is particularly expressive. VERDICT This clever tale should find a place in most collections, especially given the lack of Indigenous voices and representation in the beginning reader format.-Lauren Strohecker

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2023
Kindness wins the day. On a cold walk through the woods, a child asks to hear a story from an elder; both are members of the Akwesasne Community. Treated to a trickster tale, the child hears of a challenge made between a speedy bear and a slow turtle. Turtle is not big or fast but has a quick mind. Bear is bigger, stronger, and confident that they will beat Turtle. So who will win the race across the frozen pond? Both have a plan. "Turtle will go under the ice. Bear will go over the ice." As Bear runs, Turtle swims, periodically popping up through holes in the ice. No matter how fast Bear goes, Turtle is always in the lead. Finally, Turtle wins--but, as we find out, his victory is due to the help of his family members, each of whom resembles him and was lurking under the ice. Bear's feelings are hurt, but Turtle makes it up to Bear by sharing the prize. They are both winners! With just a few words per page, presented in a large font, and visuals that reflect the action, this one is ideal for beginning readers. Exaggerated, energetic cartoon illustrations enhance the easy-to-read text. Children will be charmed by the humor, drama, fun twist, and wonderfully entertaining characters. The characters' strengths and savvy will delight emerging readers. (Early reader. 5-7)

COPYRIGHT(2023) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Starred review from March 1, 2023
"Bear has fast legs. Turtle has a fast mind. Who will win the race?" An elder, Tota, tells a trickster story in a beginning reader that succeeds both as a learning tool for new readers and as a layered tale to appreciate over repeat readings. When we meet Turtle, he's standing in a power pose surveying the racecourse on a frozen lake, while on the opposite page, Bear executes an impressive warm-up routine. The digitally created art, in a cartoon style with an edge of realism, is appealing and supports the minimal text, which uses repetition and sight words without overwhelming new readers. Bear bounds over the ice while tricky Turtle swims below, popping up to periodically exclaim, "Here I am!" Bear's evolving facial expressions will be familiar to anyone who's run a tough race, and astute observers will notice that the markings on Turtle's shell are different each time he surfaces. All is revealed in the end, and wily but good-natured Turtle shares his prize. Author David, a member of the ­Haudenosaunee Kanienkehaka (Mohawk) people, includes words from the Kanienkeha language for added interest and context. There is a notable lack of beginning reader books from an Indigenous perspective, and this book is most welcome. Adrienne L. Pettinelli

(Copyright 2023 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

Starred review from April 15, 2023
Preschool-Grade 2 *Starred Review* Bear and Turtle prepare to race across a frozen lake. Bear will run between two straight rows of sticks, while Turtle will swim beneath the ice. Parallel to Bear's track, circular holes in the ice allow Turtle to emerge for air when the need arises. The race begins. Bear runs swiftly, only to be startled when Turtle repeatedly pops up through a hole, always in the lead. At the race's end, Bear is exhausted, though Turtle is barely winded. Neither are his three nearly identical relatives, who popped up from the ice, fooling Bear to ensure Turtle's "win." After Turtle reveals the ruse, all the good-natured competitors share the prize: a snack of berries. As the narrator of the framework story concludes, "Bear has fast legs. Turtle has a fast mind--and a big family." Fun for beginning readers, the book retells an amusing Native American tale with a satisfying ending, while the expressive illustrations help readers visualize the characters and setting. David, a storyteller and illustrator, identifies himself as a "member of the Haudenosaunee Kaniekehaka (Mohawk) people." Like many books in the I Like to Read series, this respectful retelling of a traditional trickster tale offers a welcome change of pace for beginning readers.

COPYRIGHT(2023) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

January 1, 2023
"Bear has fast legs. Turtle has a fast mind. Who will win the race?" An elder, Tota, tells a trickster story in a beginning reader that succeeds both as a learning tool for new readers and as a layered tale to appreciate over repeat readings. When we meet Turtle, he's standing in a power pose surveying the racecourse on a frozen lake, while on the opposite page, Bear executes an impressive warm-up routine. The digitally created art, in a cartoon style with an edge of realism, is appealing and supports the minimal text, which uses repetition and sight words without overwhelming new readers. Bear bounds over the ice while tricky Turtle swims below, popping up to periodically exclaim, "Here I am!" Bear's evolving facial expressions will be familiar to anyone who's run a tough race, and astute observers will notice that the markings on Turtle's shell are different each time he surfaces. All is revealed in the end, and wily but good-natured Turtle shares his prize. Author David, a member of the Haudenosaunee Kanienkehaka (Mohawk) people, includes words from the Kanienkeha language for added interest and context. There is a notable lack of beginning reader books from an Indigenous perspective, and this book is most welcome.

(Copyright 2023 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)