Cambridge Reading is a major new reading scheme providing stimulating books and support materials for the teaching of reading throughout the primary years. Key features include: a coherent yet flexible structure for teaching and learning; a variety of attractive picture books; a balance of text types and genres, including stories, poems and information books; an integrated phonics programme; comprehensive support materials. The Clever Tortoise is one of the stories from the Becoming a Reader stage of Cambridge Reading. There are nine stories in the Traditional strand which draw on myths, legends, folk tales and fairy stories, including Aesop's Fables. Six, written and illustrated by Gerald Rose, are retold in contemporary language and illustrated with simplified characters and bold colours that will appeal to young children.

Clever Tortoise leads the other jungle animals in teaching bullying Elephant and Hippopotamus a lesson by tricking them into engaging in a tug of war with each other.

This book is an interesting read for children . About a very clever tortoise and a tricky monkey. It is a famous African jungle story our grandparents used to tell us.