Aesop’s Fables

fablesBrad Sneed brings his zany and creative talents to the world of Aesop. In his signature style of tricky perspectives, amusing exaggerations, and rich, delicate watercolors, his animal characters are beautifully realistic and yet humorously human, as they mimic a wide range of human feelings . . . and foibles. The stories of Aesop have been told and retold over the centuries; in his lively adaptation Brad Sneed updates the language and infuses these fifteen stories with a sense of humor that children will enthusiastically enjoy. And once again, as in his popular alphabet book Picture a Letter, Brad has included a wordless bonus for sharp-eyed readers of all ages-a sixteenth tale told only in pictures is hidden somewhere between the covers.

The Pied Piper of Hamelin

Hamelin town has a plague of rats, and if something isn’t done soon, everyone will starve. The people vow to give up everything to rid the town of the rats. And so the help of the Pied Piper is enlisted to dispose of the nasty pests. He plays a sweet tune and the rats, dancing, follow the music to their end. But when the townsfolk refuse to pay the Piper, he takes up his flute and plays an even sweeter tune. This time, it’s the town’s children who follow.

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

A retelling of the centuries-old tale follows Sylvia, a spirited girl apprenticed to a sorcerer, as she steals from his castle a powerful potion that she is sure will help her complete a difficult task.

Hansel and Gretel

A richly illustrated version of a classic fairy tale is set on the remote North Atlantic coast of Canada and casts Hansel and Gretel as the children of a destitute fisherman and his  wife.

The Super Hungry Dinosaur

Here’s a book that begs to be read aloud. From the very first “GRRRRRR!” and “ROAR!” of the Super Hungry Dinosaur, kids will be rooting for Hal to save his parents and his dog, Billy, from the huge beast. And Hal saves them in the most unusual way (hint: It involves spaghetti) in this delightful twist on the tantrum story from well-loved and bestselling author Martin Waddell and debut illustrator Leonie Lord.

Cinderella

Four more much-loved fairy tales leap to life in this series of lively retellings. With the help of her fairy godmother, a kitchen maid mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters attends the palace ball where she meets the prince of her dreams.

Little Red Riding Hood

Much-loved fairy tales leap to life in this series of lively retellings. When a little girl puts her picnic basket over her arm and sets off through the woods to grandmother’s house, one of the best-loved fairy tales of all time unfolds.

Jack and the Beanstalk

A boy climbs to the top of a giant beanstalk, where he uses his quick wits to outsmart a giant and make his and his mother’s fortune. Includes lift-up flaps.