Tops and Bottoms » (1st ed)

Hare solves his family’s problems by tricking rich and lazy Bear in this funny, energetic version of an old slave story. With roots in American slave tales, Tops & Bottoms celebrates the trickster tradition of using one’s wits to overcome hardship. “As usual, Stevens’ animal characters, bold and colorful, are delightful. . . . It’s all wonderful fun, and the book opens, fittingly, from top to bottom instead of from side to side, making it perfect for story-time sharing.”—Booklist

Children's Literature

Hare's hungry family forces him to use his wits in order to feed them. Playing Bear like a violin, Hare suggests that if Bear donates the land, Hare will do the work and they'll split the crop. Bear must choose. Whether Bear chooses tops or bottoms, he'll lose, as Hare is in control and doing all the work. The facial expressions of the animals are delightful and the fact that the book opens vertically allows us to view all the action simultaneously. A Caldecott Honor Book, 1996.