Hare and Tortoise Race Across Israel

Gehl uses the framework of Aesop’s well-known fable to give readers a brief overview of some of Israel’s cultural and topographical highlights. After visiting the beach, the opera, and musuems, Hare and Tortoise stage a race to the Dead Sea. While Hare dashes ahead, Tortoise takes time to say shalom to passersby. “Want to share my falafel?” he asks Hare innocently, after catching up to him midway through the race. Working in a milky, muted palette, Goudreau’s crisply defined illustrations successfully capture Israel’s urban bustle, geographic diversity, and leisure attractions, including the friends’ dip in the Dead Sea afterward. “Slow and steady might win the race,” Tortoise admits, “but I’m hot and sore, too.” Ages 4–7. Author’s agent: Erzsi Deàk, Hen&ink. Illustrator’s agency: Advocate Art. (Mar.)