Jerry Pinkney is a Caldecott Award–winning author and illustrator, and his illustrations are stunning. His version of The Tortoise and the Hare is set in the desert, which allowed us to explore deserts and cacti.
We also talked about the difference between a turtle and a tortoise, and a rabbit and a hare.
I personally think we all need to be reminded of the moral to this story. We love to go fast, but “slow and steady” is often what truly leads to growth. That’s an important lesson for children too.
Let’s be real — going fast feels productive. It feels exciting. It feels like winning. And sometimes speed is necessary. But speed without steadiness? That’s where we trip ourselves up.
“Slow and steady” doesn’t mean lazy.
It means consistent.
It means disciplined.
It means showing up even when it’s not flashy.
That’s a powerful lesson for children — especially in a world that celebrates quick results. Some things take time:
- Learning to read
- Growing friendships
- Building skills
- Regulating emotions
And honestly? The same goes for us.
If you’re someone who naturally moves fast (raising my hand), this story is a gentle reminder to ask:
- Where do I need more patience?
- Where would consistency serve me better than intensity?
- Where am I sprinting when I should be pacing?
That reflection alone makes this fable worth revisiting.
And when children hear you admit, “I need this reminder too,” it models humility and growth.
Our vocabulary word:
How can our hare resist a little lettuce, especially when he is so far ahead in the race?
And maybe a little nap too?
Meanwhile, the tortoise continues to face his struggles.
We stopped and this point. Who do you think will win the race?
“Slow and steady wins the race”!
After the story, the children became hares and tortoises and acted out the story.
On the projector:
During my after school classes, we read a few more Aesop/Jerry Pinkney stories.
The children took home a grasshopper and an ant to act out The Grasshopper and the Ants.
We also read this version of the story:
The children colored a Tortoise and the Hare coloring sheet, while we put on some hare ears.
We then practiced being fast like a hare.
We also became tortoises, and practiced going really slow. (Again, not always easy!).
And in some cases – both!
I also played this for them. It never disappoints. It is such a fun way to go slow and fast and then slow again.
Find the Hare and the Tortoise here:
Print coloring sheet here:
More Aesop Fables here:
Berto is a big Aesop fan!
Find more ideas to go with these stories here: