This is just about the perfect read-aloud. Short individual fables about how animals received some of their distinctive traits stand alone while containing repetitive storytelling patterns and characters. My kids really enjoyed this. Also, as an atheist, I really appreciated the use of Mother Nature in this book. Creation stories enable children to develop a sense of wonder about the world, and this conceit allowed that without getting me into sticky god conversations. I don't mind having those, but at bedtime sometimes it's more relaxing to hear about how Old Mother Nature rewards persistence and faith instead. ( )