A Nigerian folktale about a hippo, an elephant, and a hare is retold by Burningham, 45 years after it was first published as The Extraordinary Tug-of-War, with text by Letta Schatz. Now, with the original illustrations and a brand-new text, Burningham spins his own version of three animals who live together in the forest. Hippopotamus and Elephant tease Hare mercilessly are, you are a feeble idiot, with your twitching nose and whiskers" til Hare gets fed up and concocts a plan. He challenges both to a game of tug-of-war; but instead of being on the other end of the rope, he sets it up so that Hippopotamus and Elephant are struggling against each other. It's a classic brains-over-brawn tale, made memorable by Burningham's signature illustrations and witty text (poor Hare is called everything from a "little runt" to a "little weed"). It's oh-so-satisfying when quick-moving Hare gets the last laugh, and Burningham's many fans will be happy (hoppy?) to introduce this spiffed-up story to a new generation.

The Extraordinary Tug-of-War, a classic African trickster tale, was one of the first books Burningham illustrated. Here, he retells the fable himself. Weary of being belittled by Elephant and Hippopotamus, Hare challenges each to a tug-of-war, cleverly engineering the contest so that his tormentors actually pull against each other. The real glory of this new edition is its (original) gorgeous, witty art.

Burningham charges up selected and rearranged illustrations from one of his early works with a new text that adds considerable bite. Retold in the 1968 version (titled The Extraordinary Tug-of-War) by Letta Schatz from an Ethiopian tale, the story features a clever hare who challenges scornful Hippo and Elephant to a tug of war, then puts them on opposite ends of the same rope. Burningham does away with the original's now-stodgy folklorese: "And Elephant would bellow, billowing with laughter, ‘Ho, Hare! I hear you are called "Big Ears!" Big Ears! You! Please look at me!' " He replaces it with contemporary, and much more abusive, language: "And Elephant would say, ‘Hare, you really are a feeble idiot, with your twitching nose and whiskers. That's all you have.' " By the time the animal dupes discover the deception and vow revenge ("Let's get the little runt!"), Hare is long gone. In contrast to the sharp tone of the text, though the trim size of this new edition is only about an inch more all around, the spattered, scribbly illustrations look overly enlarged, with diffuse lines and dimly lit, indistinct details. No matter: They still serve to convey the thwarted bullies' bulk and rage. Young audiences will relish the outcome of this simple trickster tale and likely be startled into laughter by its edgy language. The little runts. (no source note) (Picture book/folktale. 5-8)

In 1968, Burningham-now known for Mr. Gumpy-s Outing and Granpa, among other stories-illustrated Letta Schatz-s The Extraordinary Tug-of-War, a retold West African folktale. This edition reprints the original illustrations with a new retelling from Burningham himself. Hare, the smallest of three creatures, faces merciless teasing. Hippopotamus calls Hare -a tiny, wimpy thing- and a -weak little fool,- and Elephant trumpets, -Hare, you really are a feeble idiot.- Such insults may give readers pause, yet they show why Hare is keen to defeat his tormenters using his superior wits. Hare finds Elephant in the forest, challenges him to a tug-of-war, and gives him an end of rope. Hare meets Hippopotamus at the river and gives him the other end. Sight unseen, both creatures believe Hare is pulling against them, and fail to realize their error until Hare -was already miles away, up in the hills.- Burningham-s energetic yet shadowy mixed-media drawings, in aqueous hues of blue, brown, and green, recall the oily lithography of the 1960s, yet hold up well in this still-relevant fable. Ages 5-8. (Aug.)