On the banks of Africa's Lake Nyasa there's a quarrel going on. Elephant and Hippopotamus are boasting how big and strong they are and frightening the smaller animals. But not clever Tortoise. He may be small but his brains are big and he knows a trick to cut those bullies down to size

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.

Oliver the tortoise has had his human, Ike, for a very, very long time now. In fact, they're the same age--80 years old--and practically twins. They both enjoy the slowness of the garden, cool water from the hose on a hot day, and a nice slice of honeydew melon. But when Ike stops visiting the garden, Oliver wonders why his pet has left him so soon. So he makes the long journey to see his mother ten gardens away--she will certainly have the answer. This tender story from the author and illustrator that brought us Memoirs of a Goldfish reminds us to cherish all the days we have with our pets and loved ones.

Albert the pet tortoise has a problem: trying to reach a tasty treat, he has ended up on his shell, upside down and stuck! Can the other garden creatures overcome their rivalry, team up and help him get back on his feet? Packed with comical, charming illustrations and vibrant colour, this timeless tale shows the power of working together, thinking creatively, and how even the smallest amount of assistance can make a very big difference.Also included are fascinating facts about the real-life tortoise called Albert, who inspired this story, and tortoises around the world - a modern-day mini-dinosaur living life on the veg!

A beautiful, heartwarming picture book with all the universal appeal of Guess How Much I Love You.Hedgehog was feeling sad.As sad as a hedgehog can feel.So sad only one thing could help . . .Tortoise was feeling sad. As sad as a tortoise can feel. So sad only one thing could help . . .In this clever flipbook, both a hedgehog and a tortoise are looking for a hug. They ask all the other animals they come across but for some reason no one will hug them. Until a wise owl explains: Hedgehog is too spiky; Tortoise is too bony. And that's when they find each other!'Feels like being enveloped in your very own hug.' Kirkus'A smashing story time tale.' Books for Keeps'It's utterly lovely. It makes her face light up every time she hears it.' The Guardian Best Books of 2019

A boastful hare meets his match in this attractive retelling of Aesop's famed tale.

A delightfully offbeat story that features an opinionated tortoise and her owner who find themselves in the middle of a life-changing mystery. Audrey (a.k.a. Oddly) Flowers is living quietly in Oregon with Winnifred, her tortoise, when she finds out her dear father has been knocked into a coma back in Newfoundland. Despite her fear of flying, she goes to him, but not before she reluctantly dumps Winnifred with her unreliable friends. Poor Winnifred. When Audrey disarms an Air Marshal en route to St. John’s we begin to realize there’s something, well, odd about her. And we soon know that Audrey’s quest to discover who her father really was – and reunite with Winnifred – will be an adventure like no other. Excerpt: Winnifred is old. She might be three hundred. She came with the apartment. The previous tenant, a rock climber named Cliff, was embarking on a rock-climbing adventure that would not have been much fun for Winnifred. Back then her name was Iris. Cliff had inherited Iris from the previous tenant. Nobody knew how old Iris was or where she had come from originally. Now Cliff was moving out. He said, Would you like a tortoise. I would not say no to a tortoise, I said. I was alone in Portland and the trees were giant. I picked her up and she blinked at me with her upside-down eyelids. I felt instantly calm. Her eyes were soft brown. Her skin felt like an old elbow. I will build you a castle, I whispered. With a pool. And I was true to my word.