"Tug of War" - a bookwrap

I would like you to meet Tortoise.  He is feeling sad and dejected because he wants to make a friend. Wait?  What is he doing with that in his mouth?  You are invited to find out.

Unwrapping

"Tug of War" 

by Naomi Howarth

* Ages:  4-8

* Grade Level: PS-3

* Publisher: Quarto Publishing Group-Frances Lincoln Childrens

* Hardcover - June 5, 2018

Praise for the book

'Howarth brings a gorgeously vibrant style to her watercolour and lithography illustrations, and flora and fauna are depicted with a naturalist’s eye for detail.'

- Financial Times

The stunning illustrations really evoke the natural world and are a real treat in themselves.

- Parents in Touch

Beauty of a book.

- Let Them Be Small

‘a beautifully illustrated retelling of a West African folktale’

- Daily Telegraph

Unwrapping some stunning illustrations

About the book

"One morning, while the sun was high in the sky over the banks of the great African river, Tortoise set off on a walk.

'It's so beautiful and sunny', he said to himself.'

'I think it's the perfect day to make a new friend."

He encounters an elephant and asks him point blank, "Would you like to be my friend?"  Elephant's reply is rude, demeaning and quite shocking.    

"No thanks! I am the biggest and best beast in this jungle, and you are nothing more than a small, stupid old tortoise" 

Tortoise is saddened and walks away until he comes upon a Hippo and thinks perhaps he can be his friend.  He poses the same question and gets this reply:

"Be your friend?" roared Hippo." "Are you joking? I am the toughest most terrible thing in this jungle, and you are nothing more than a small, wrinkly old tortoise." 

Poor Tortoise, now he feels even worse.  Bird can't help but notice how badly Tortoise feels and gives Tortoise some excellent advice... advice that inspires and motivates Tortoise to concoct a brilliant plan to prove to both Elephant and Hippo that they may have  power and brawn but he has brains.  Do you think his plan will work?  Can he prove to the prideful two that just because you are smaller does not mean you are deplorable?

 "Tug of War" is a retelling of a wise West African folktale. The illustrations are spectacular and engaging and the message is positive and inspiring.  I highly recommend this wonderful book.  

Storywraps Rating - 5 +++ HUGS!!!!!

About the author/illustrator

NAOMI HOWARTH was born and brought up in Edinburgh, Scotland, and studied Costume for Performance at the London College of Fashion, where she graduated with a First in 2010. She worked in the film industry for eighteen months before deciding to pursue a career in illustration. In 2014 she was mentored by Catherine Rayner as part of Booktrust Scotland’s Picture Hooks scheme. Naomi’s illustrations combine lithography with watercolour, and she has a strong interest in myth, legend and folklore. The Crow’s Tale, her first picture book, was shortlisted for the 2015 Waterstones Children's Book Prize. Naomi lives on a houseboat in west London.

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