Clever Tortoise was written and illustrated by Francesca Martin. Her illustrations are so uniquely colorful and beautiful, I was disappointed when I couldn't find any information about her. This story is one she heard as a child living in Tanzania, South Africa. What I especially like about this book is that it includes some Kiswahili words, "the language most widely spoken in Tanzania." Everything starts from a Dot has Swahili Animal Flash Cards that might complement this story. Heather Carlsen has I am a Maasai Man that may supplement conversation about the setting.
Elephant and Hippopotamus begin to bully other animals, each claiming it is the strongest of all the small animals. Tortoise comes up with a trick to play on the two beasts, a clever trick for which all the small animals work together. This ends the quarreling. "All the animals are happy again. Kwa heri ya kuonana, wanangu--so long, children, till we meet again."
