May 2004 ~ Book of the Month

Tops & Bottoms
by Janet Steven

Character Trait  = Responsibility

This is clever reworking of several childhood fables put into the language of the modern business world. Hare and bear are neighbors and they decide to go into the crop raising business together. Bear is so lazy, however, that he does none of the work, and the Hare family collects the best part of the harvest (the profits). Bear complains and insists on being more fairly treated, but again does none of the work. At the nest harvest, Bear's lack of attention again leaves him with the short and of the stick. Engaging illustrations add to this humorous tale of the ups and downs of partnership and the work ethic. The Format is also a nice surprise and there are great possibilities for extending the story.