How the Ostrich Got Its Long Neck

Written by Verna Aardema

Narrated by John McDonough

Long ago, when the world was new, the ostrich's neck was so short that he couldn't reach the succulent berries in the trees, and he had to sit on the ground to eat bugs. All that changed on the fateful day when the crocodile awoke with a terrible toothache that no one dared to help her with-no one, that is, but a naive and compassionate young ostrich. Compromising his own safety to help a needy stranger, he was rewarded with a most amazing surprise. This delightful African folk tale comes from the Akamba people of Kenya, a word that means "the place where there are ostriches." Verna Aardema's masterful word play lends itself perfectly to being read aloud. Made-up words for the sounds of tears falling, ostriches strutting, and kudus galloping create an atmosphere of sheer delight.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Nov 27, 2015
• ISBN: 9781490677569

Reviews for How the Ostrich Got Its Long Neck

[abigailadams26 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

When Crocodile gets a toothache, none of the animals are willing to take the risk of helping her, until Ostrich is moved by her tears. But Crocodile's hunger overpowers her pain, and she clamps down on Ostrich's head, precipitating a tug-of-war with surprising consequences...This pourquoi tale from the Akamba people of Kenya offers a humorous explanation of how ostriches came to look the way they do. Verna Aardema, known for her many excellent folktale adaptations, here delivers an engaging narrative that - with its many sound-words - will lend itself to reading aloud. Unfortunately, despite her three Caldecott Medals, Marcia Brown's illustrations, which had a crude and cartoonish quality, did not appeal to me at all.