Glossary

When we are bored, we have lost interest in something. Usually we don't want to keep doing whatever it is. If something is too easy, it is boring because there is no challenge there. 

In this story, the author "breaks the frame" by having the narrator talk directly to the characters.  This is a way authors can use to break the boundary between you, the reader, and what is happening in the book.  You may have seen this when you watch cartoons--sometimes a cartoon character will turn and talk to the audience.  That's breaking the frame! 

A challenge is a task that calls for the use of our abilities. It is something that is hard to do but not too hard, just hard enough to be interesting. Learning is the most fun when there are challenges that you can solve by working at them.

To concentrate is to focus your thinking on something, such as trying to solve a problem, and stick to it. Some people can only concentrate well in a quiet place; while others concentrate best when they are listening to music.

"Distracted" is another way of saying, unable to concentrate or think clearly.  I get distracted when I'm reading and someone asks me a question--that makes me lose track of what is happening in the book.  What distracts you?

Noun - A fair is a fun get-together to show things, to celebrate, and to play games and compete. A county fair usually has competitions for the best animal, the biggest vegetable, or the most delicious pie. Races are often held at fairs too.

Adjective - impartial, even-handed. A race that is fair to all participants is one in which everyone has the chance to succeed.

A hare is a large rabbit with long ears and long hind legs for making big leaps.

Want to learn more?  Click here to find more information about hares. 

An illuminated manuscript is a handwritten book that is decorated with very colorful and detailed pictures.   

"To navigate" means to find the right path over or through a place. 

A racecourse is a path or track that competitors use to for a particular race. Usually there is only one racecourse, but that makes it hard for people with different skills and preferences to have an equal chance at completing the race and to find the right level of challenge. Offering different racecourses for different racers can make the race more fair and fun.

Sepia is a word for brown and tan tones.  You may have seen old photographs that look brown or tan colored, that's sepia.

Click here to see some sepia colored pictures.

The starting line is a line indicating the start of a race or game. For a footrace the line can be drawn or made with tape. Horses race out of  gates that are all on the starting line. And boats often start a race over an imaginary line between two boats or buoys.

Stepping stones are rocks in the water that are near enough to each other that they can be used to cross the water by stepping from one to the next.

A tortoise is an animal with a shell on its back, and it is related to turtles.  A tortoise, though, only lives on land; it cannot live in water.  

Want to learn more?  Click here to get more information about tortoises!

A victory is a win in a contest or race. If the race is well designed, everyone can have a victory in their own way.

A wildflower is any kind of flower that grows without being planted by people.  You may find wildflowers in the woods, or in fields--even in a desert!

Click here to see more pictures of wildflowers and where they grow!