Nursery World - Scene setters

Sit down and experience the cold beauty of Antarctica and the humming warmth of an African noon in these picturesque children's books, reviewed by Alison Boyle CLEVER TORTOISE. Written and illustrated by Francesca Martin. (Walker Books, 9.99).

CLEVER TORTOISE. Written and illustrated by Francesca Martin. (Walker Books, 9.99).

You are probably familiar with this traditional African story about a smaller animal who succeeds in tricking two bigger animals that are causing trouble in the community. Here, Tortoise (Kobe in the Kiswahili language) is the one who musters all the other animals to set up a tug-of-war challenge between two bullies, Hippo and Elephant. The illustrations are in fine pencil, rich but not over-bright, with amazing detail invested in the butterflies, slugs, and other tiny creatures on the ground and in the air. Calm, African-textile style patterns at the top and bottom of the pages provide a pleasing frame for the story pictures in between.

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