When Turtle Grew Feathers

By Tim Tingle

We have all heard about the race between the turtle and the rabbit, and how the turtle’s steady pace and determination won the day. There is another version according to Choctaw legend, one involving a turkey and a group of ants.

I found this zany children’s novel, When Turtle Grew Feathers, last October at the International Story Telling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee. It was a fabulous experience by the way. More of that later, perhaps.

Tim Tingle, the author, has done a superb job in creating this tale from three sources: Myths of the Louisiana Choctaws 1909, Charley Jones's oral interview with Choctaw Indians in 1992, and Jay McAlvain’s taped interview in 1992.

The illustrator, Stacey Schuett, helps carry the story with fabulous pictures capturing rabbit’s feelings ranging from mean and challenging to surprised, to fear, and finally humiliation and defeat.

When Turtle Grew Feathers is published by August House Little Folk ISBN – 13: 978-0-87483-777-3 This is a book I will pass on to our granddaughter. I can almost hear her giggling now.