The Great Race    by Kevin O'Mallery Order:  USA  Can Walker, 2011 (2011) Hardcover     Reviewed by Bob Walch 'Everyone was talking about Lever Lapin, the greatest runner in the world. He'd won the Dash to Dallas, the Race to Rio, and the Sprint to Seattle ... Everywhere you went, people were talking about him.' Nate Tortoise is really tired about hearing how wonderful Lever Lapin is. In fact, if the truth be told, Nate thinks he can probably take the hare in a race if it ever came to that. Then one day, while eating in a restaurant, the two meet. Nate overhears the magnificent rabbit say, 'I find myself fascinating. I am so beautiful that when I look at myself I scream with joy. It is not easy to be me.' That does it! Nate throws down the gauntlet. 'I will race this tiny little itty-bitty tortoise and I will crush him like a marshmallow,' says the vain hare as he accepts the challenge. Of course, you know what is going to happen! But how Nate pulls off the victory will have young readers giggling with glee and they'll all agree with the closing text of this humorous tale, 'BETTER NATE THAN LEVER!' It's been told time and again, but this classic story gives new meaning to 'slow and steady wins the race'. Also, the illustrations are as funny as the text. So don't twaddle. Race down to the book store to get your copy of this rollicking picture book. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Kids books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews