Brad 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.
Primary (ages 6-9)
Material appropriate for primary age groups
Christian The Lion
“In 1971 we wrote A Lion Called Christian, the story of a lion from London who returned to Africa. Forty years later, the Internet’s YouTube has introduced a new world audience to Christian.” —Ace Bourke and John RendallThrough many previously unseen photographs, this picture book follows Christian as he grew from a tiny ball of fur into a majestic lion. Here is the incredible story of the remarkable journey to take Christian back to the wild.
Mr. Semolina-Semolinus: A Greek Folktale
Since she cannot find the perfect man to marry, feisty Princess Areti decides to create a man of her own, Mr. Semolina-Semolinus, out of sugar, almonds, and semolina wheat, but when he is kidnapped by an evil queen, Areti must brave a perilous journey to get him back.
Moonshadow’s Journey
When his beloved grandfather is killed in a storm while leading the swan flock south for the winter, Moonshadow is reassured by his father that the flock will go on with Grandfather always in their hearts.
The Fables Of Aesop
A collection of more than one hundred of Aesop’s classic fables, designed to delight and instruct both adults and children, features clever pen-and-ink drawings on every page and thirty full-color paintings.
The Girl, The Fish, And The Crown
While on a dangerous quest which requires her to take the form of different wild animals, a selfish young girl learns about compassion and generosity.
Tatterhood And The Hobgoblins: A Norwegian Folktale
A retelling of a Norwegian folktale follows Tatterhood, the wild and strange twin sister of sweet and perfect princess Isabella, as she attempts to break a spell placed on her sibling.
One Potato, Two Potato
Mr. and Mrs. O’Grady are so poor they have just one of everything to share – one potato a day, one chair, one blanket full of holes, and one gold coin for a rainy day. After digging up the last potato in their patch, Mr. O’Grady comes upon a big black object. It’s a pot – no ordinary pot, for what they soon discover is that whatever goes into it comes out doubled! Suddenly the O’Gradys aren’t destitute anymore. But what they really long for is one friend apiece. Can the magic pot give them that?
The Wedding of Mistress Fox
As she rejects suitor after suitor, the recently widowed Mistress Fox almost despairs of finding a new husband with the same wonderful qualities as the late Mr. Fox.
Iron John
With help of Iron John, the wild man of the forest who is under a curse, a young prince makes his way in the world and finds his true love.