When Turtle Grew Feathers: A Folktale from the Choctaw Nation

ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Finalist and Oklahoma Book Award Finalist

In this Choctaw variant of Aesop's fable "The Tortoise and the Hare," master storyteller Tim Tingle reveals some unexpected twists and expands the cast of memorable characters to include a wild turkey, a colony of ants, and a cheering squad of Little Bitty Turtles.When Rabbit boastfully challenges Turtle to a race, he gets his comeuppance and Turtle gets a little assist from his winged friend, Turkey.

In the process, we learn why Turtle's shell is cracked and why you never see Rabbit racing Turtle today. The bold and vibrant illustrations capture not only the grasslands of the High Plains but also the demeanor of its animal inhabitants and the humor of the tale. This familiar Native American tale will teach readers the importance of caring, resourcefulness and respect. 

Tim Tingle is an award-winning author, much sought-after storyteller, and an enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.  His great-great grandfather, John Carnes, walked the Trail of Tears in 1835, and passed-down memories of this family epic that fueled Tim’s early interest in writing and storytelling. His award winning work ranges from award winning picture books like When Turtle Grew Feathers and Crossing Bok Chitto to his collection of Native American stories, Spirits Dark and Light to his YA novels like House of Purple Cedar.

August House Publishers offer free lesson plans for When Turtle Grew Feathers.

Tim Tingle is an enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. He has performed as a featured storyteller in festivals covering a 30 state area, and in 2004, was a Teller-In-Residence at the International Storytelling Center. He lives in Canyon Lake, Texas.

Stacy Schuett Bio: 

Stacey Schuett was a dreamy kind of child who loved to make stuff up. Except for a brief interest in becoming a veterinarian, (derailed by the unhappy combination of a dog, a porcupine, a pair of pliers and a lot of blood), she pretty much always wanted to keep on being an artist and writer. Stacey went through school as a fine artist, determined to be artistically pure, though starving. But fortunately she was given the chance to illustrate her first children's book shortly after graduation. She found that she loved the challenge of enhancing the story-telling power of a book with pictures, and conveying ideas or concepts without words. Since that first book, years ago, Schuett has illustrated many more. She’s written a number of her own stories, which allows her the chance to build a book as both the author and illustrator. In addition to books, she is drawn to the requirements of more conceptual editorial and other kinds of illustration work.