The Great Race

This iconographic-animated adaptation of writer-illustrator Kevin O'Malley's 2011 picture book The Great Race—an updated version of The Tortoise and the Hare—is narrated by Michael Pongracz, who relates the story of Nate Tortoise, an out-of-shape turtle, and Lever Lapin, an athletic rabbit. The former is a sarcastic slowpoke, while the latter is a conceited champion. Nonetheless, Nate believes he could beat Lever in a race, and while dining in his favorite restaurant, La Gaganspew, he voices that thought aloud, just as Lever arrives with his entourage. The fleet-footed sprinter accepts the challenge, and a week later, the competition commences, beginning with Lever in front and Nate behind (a snail cracks, “He's so slow, he's gonna get a parking ticket”). After a while, Lever starts to goof off for the crowd, before stopping for lunch and signing autographs. Meanwhile, Nate catches up—to the point that even if Lever cuts through all the fans clamoring for his signature, he still might not make it. DVD extras include an audio interview with O'Malley. Combining a droll narrative with appealing watercolor imagery, this is recommended. Aud: K, E, P. (K. Fennessy)