The Humpherys Family

The Extraordinary Tug-of-War

Record Added: 5/10/2016
Author Letta Schatz
Illustrator John Burningham
Setting Africa
Topic Animal Characters
Publisher Follett Publishing Co.
ISBN B0006BTCLG   Year 1968
Age 4-8   Pages 48
Description Blue and green binding
 
Hare, Hippopotamus, and Elephant all live together in the forest. But often, when Hippopotamus and Elephant have nothing better to do, they tease Hare and say horrid things to him. When Hare finally gets fed up with them, he conceives a plan: he will challenge each of the massive creatures to a tug-of-war competition.

On either side of the trees, Elephant and Hippopotamus pull and tug all through the night, incredulous that Hare could be so strong! With cheeky wit and his signature illustrative style, John Burningham makes the case that even brute strength can be outweighed by brains — and a quick getaway.  A Nigerian folktale.
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