From century to century, generation to generation, Aesop’s fables have entertained, enlightened minds, and warmed hearts around the world. Now in this unique collection, Tom Lynch uses collages of vivid color, intriguing texture and folk art style to re-invent fourteen of these well known and loved fables for today’s children.
fable
Aesop’s Fox
One summer morning, Fox awakens and begins his search for food. His travels take him to a vineyard, where the unreachable grapes are probably sour, and to a conversation with Rooster and Crow, during which flattery first fails but then succeeds. Fox meets–among others–foolish Donkey, wise Boar, vain Leopard, and shrewd Lion. With each meeting, Fox gains wisdom–until at the end of the day, falling asleep in the hollow of a tree, he says, “Time fixes everything.” And so it does.
The Race of the Century
Tom Tortoise challenges Flash Harry Hare, But while Flash Harry gets distracted signing autographs for his adoring fans, stopping for photo ops, and snacking, Tom Tortoise keeps going, slowly and steadily, to win the race.
The Outfoxed Fox
A proud old fox scorns a youngster’s simple plan for stopping the hunter who has grown skillful at killing foxes, but when he sets out to handle the problem himself, he runs into trouble.
Alert!
Tobias is a very special mole. He collects shiny round pebbles and hides them down in his burrow where they’re safe. When a friend warns him about robbers on the prowl, Tobias begins to worry. Frantically, Tobias moves his stones from one place to another until he discovers, too late, that he has been tricked into letting his fears get the better of him. This contemporary fable warns of the dangers of misplaced trust and unwarranted fears.
Tyger! Tyger!
Tyger! Tyger! is a moving fable that expresses hope for harmony between the human and the animal worlds. It draws its inspiration from real life–a Buddhist monastery in Thailand that has for years provided sanctuary for one of the world’s most endangered animals, the beautiful Indo-Chinese tiger.
The Lion’s Share : A Somali Folktale
The Lion’s Share is one of the most widely known animal fables throughout Somalia. It is told for entertainment but also for its wisdom about the misuse of power. At different times in history the folktale was retold in poems, songs, and other prose.