Beautifully Illustrated book with an equally beautifully story. This book teaches a lesson without the reader or listener even knowing it because it is so well done. We recommend it. Well done!

3.5 stars
My favorite things about Naomi Howarth's Tug of War are the really lovely illustrations, depicting intricate patterns of jungle foliage, bright birds and butterflies, and visually appealing use of colors in general, with the brighter colors standing out against the earth tones and greens of plants, as well as the green of a tortoise who is the main character.

Tortoise wants to make some new friends, but unfortunately the elephant and hippopotamus look down on him because he's slow and wrinkly and not as big and impressive as they are. He finds a way to use their pride against them with a little trick though, and demonstrates that being smaller in size does not mean inferior.

I do appreciate the message of the book, though perhaps it's a tad too simplistic in the way it wraps up. I would also hope that even though children will probably enjoy this story, they will learn to recognize that in real life not every insult should compel you to have to "prove" your abilities to others.

'Tug of War' by Naomi Howarth is a story about how being little doesn't mean you can't be someone's friend.

When Tortoise is looking for a friend, he finds Elephant and Hippo. They both laugh about how small he is. This makes Tortoise sad, until he uses his brain to show them that he has things to offer these two huge animals.

I really liked this well illustrated story with it's message for the small. It's a picture book to be read and thought about.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Frances Lincoln Children's Books, Quarto Publishing Group, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.

Tortoise is enjoying a sunny day and decides to go for a walk and find some new friends. First, he meets Elephant but he says Tortoise is too stupid to be his friend. Then, he meets Hippo but he says Tortoise is too wrinkly to be friends. Tortoise feels sad but then decides he wants to teach them something about being who you are.

Tortoise uses his brain by challenging both Elephant and Hippo to a Tug-of-War against him to teach them a lesson. I actually thought it was a clever idea. However, if you look at teaching the ‘moral of the story’ in your class you may find this a bit tricky. Tortoise deceives them but that’s okay because he was teaching them a lesson? And then because Tortoise was so clever to deceive them and they can see he is smart Elephant and Hippo will now friends? That makes me cringe a bit.

I know it’s a picture book and I think in some circumstances the “fault” I’m referring to could actually be turned around and used as a great discussion and reflective unit in the classroom on friendships – making friends, what’s important, how you treat friends.

Overall, if you take it on face-value it is an entertaining story. If you want to use it in the classroom, just make sure you plan thoroughly first.

"Do you think because you're bigger, you're better?"

This is a story about a tortoise who outsmarts animals much bigger and powerful than him. The elephant does not want to be friends with the friendly tortoise. And neither does the Hippo!

I can relate to this book. As a child around the age of 6, I struggled to find friends just like tortoise. This is an important book for kids. This is also an important book to read to children who shun others. I think teachers would benefit from reading this book in class.

The flowers implemented in the artstyle are absolutely gorgeous. A bird comes to help tortoise with his difficulties in making friends. He reassures tortoise that he is worthy of others.

I believe that teaching this story to children at an early age is so important, as the worry of not being able to form close, satisfying relationships can emerge up to old age. It's better to clip it at the bud and help a child build self-esteem.

But the tortoise uses his wits to initiate tug of war betwee the elephant and hippo. The artstyle is gorgeous, and using the flowers as a frame emphasises the characters so well.

Both lose to the tug of war! "And from that day on, Tortoise, Elephant and Hippo were all friends, because they knew that no matter what their size, each of them had their own little bit of brilliance."

This was a cute picture book, but nothing extraordinary was of note to me. It's a good book with a solid moral lesson.

I fell in LOVE with this book! Want to buy this for my nearly 5 year old so badly!

Story follows the tortoise, who is small and wrinkly, and the great creatures of the forest see no point in being friends with him... But the tortoise has a plan! And he bests them with his clever tricks :)

The illustrations are beautiful.. Work of art. It was such a pleasure to read this book with my little one. Can't wait to buy the physical copy. Howarth is so talented!

THIS IS ADORABLE. My only complaint
is the use of "stupid". The word isn't allowed in my classroom so I wouldn't be able to read this.

It's another version of a folk tale and is adorable (i know repeating myself).

Off netgalley free in exchange for an honest review

Wonderful illistrations! Great color and details! Good story about judgement and friendship. Simple and easy to read and explain to kids. Excellent book.