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Fast Rabbit, Slow Turtle
First wordsAnimalsAges 3–5

Fast Rabbit, Slow Turtle

by ReadRead · 90 sec

Fast goes the rabbit. Slow goes the turtle. A very first book for very new readers: one short sentence on every page, and the animals always act the word out.

10pop-up spreads
19things to tap
2new words
Words in this book
fastslowaroundcheetahcomegoesherehooray
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Inside the book

Four friends line up under a rose arch in a sunny garden. Ready, set, go to the picnic! Fast goes the rabbit, in long bounding leaps. Slow goes the turtle, one little step at a time. Fast goes the cheetah cub, slow goes the little snail. Fast, fast, over the log; slow, slow, around it. Fast and slow, here they all come, and at sunset it is picnic time for everyone.

The rabbit and the cheetah cub jump fast over a mossy log in Fast Rabbit, Slow Turtle.
The rabbit and the cheetah cub jump fast over a mossy log in Fast Rabbit, Slow Turtle.
A rabbit, a cheetah cub, a turtle and a snail line up under a rose arch.
A rabbit, a cheetah cub, a turtle and a snail line up under a rose arch.
Slow goes the turtle along the garden path.
Slow goes the turtle along the garden path.
At sunset it is picnic time for fast and slow.
At sunset it is picnic time for fast and slow.

The two new words

fast

Moving very quickly. It comes up 8 times, and every time someone on the page really zooms: the rabbit and the cheetah cub race along the path in long leaps, jump over the log, and dash to the picnic.

slow

Moving gently, a little at a time. It comes up 8 times: the turtle and the little snail creep along in tiny steady steps, go around the log, and still get to the picnic.

Made for children just starting kindergarten. Each page has one short sentence (3 to 6 words) in one pattern: “Fast goes the rabbit.” / “Slow goes the turtle.” Only one word changes, so a child can say the page with you by the third spread. Every other word is one a 4-year-old already knows, like rabbit, turtle, log, picnic and go.

Questions to ask while you read

Pause after each spread and ask one question. There are no right answers; the point is to get your child talking.

  1. 1Who is ready to race? Where are they going?
  2. 2How does the rabbit go? Can you say “zoom”?
  3. 3Is the turtle fast or slow?
  4. 4Who is the fastest one on this page?
  5. 5Is the little snail fast or slow? Can you move slowly like the snail?
  6. 6Who jumps over the log? Clap fast!
  7. 7Who goes around the log? Walk your fingers slowly.
  8. 8Who gets to the picnic first? Did everyone get there?
  9. 9Tap a friend. Is it fast or slow?
  10. 10What does everyone eat at the picnic? Who is your favourite?

Tips for parents

  • First time: use Read to me and just enjoy the pictures together. It takes about a minute and a half.
  • Act the words: pat your knees quickly on “fast” and very slowly on “slow”.
  • Read it again and pause before “fast” or “slow”, so your child can say the word.
  • On the game page, let your child guess “Fast!” or “Slow!” before each tap.
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