Readers will learn the science behind tension and force while following along as Mary's class takes on another team in tug-of-war.

Playing tug of war is an excellent age-appropriate method of demonstrating how tension force works. This core physical principle is at work in science, technology, and engineering.

Meet the Beasties!

Hippopotamus and Elephant bully Hare for being small in size and possessing a twitchy nose, until Hare demonstrates his wit when he challenges the large animals to a tug-of-war competition and claims he can win.

A group of children play a game of tug-of-war and explain the rules.

But although Tortoise isn't big, he is certainly brainy! He sets out to show Elephant and Hippo that biggest doesn't mean best by challenging them to a tug of war.