The familiar fable of the tortoise and the hare gets a charming and funny new spin.
Barbara Hendricks has entered a running race … but what was she thinking?! After all, she’s a tortoise – and everyone knows tortoises are the slowest of the slow. But for some reason, Lorraine – her best friend and owner – believes in her, and inspires her to train a little more each day. And when race day arrives, Lorraine's support is enough to stop Barbara popping back into her shell. ln fact, Barbara soon discovers that with encouragement (and a bit of race day luck!), anything is possible!

Howard Calvert’s dry and funny first-person narration is paired with Karen Obuhanych’s vibrant and luscious artwork in this sweet origin story full of surprises.

"With a deft link to Aesop’s famous fable, The Hare and the Tortoise, at the end of the book, this is a very enjoyable picture book about perseverance, focus, encouragement and believing in yourself." - Books for Keeps

"Delightful illustrations infuse the story with personality and characters that jump off the page, clearly showing the experiences of Barbara Hendricks along with the support of her friend and owner, Lorraine. This book has an important message for readers – believe in yourself and do not be afraid to try." - Reading Matters Guide 2023

"A fun and wonderfully illustrated story… The story is such a good one for children to read, especially for those that feel discouraged from trying things or worry that they aren’t good enough." - The Strawberry Post