Arctic Aesop's Fables: Twelve Retold Tales

Gr 1–4—Many familiar fables are given a new look in this collection of 12 stories that feature the animals and geography of the Subarctic and Arctic regions. Several of the best known are included here, familiar morals intact. Instead of "The Fox and the Crow," children meet "The Arctic Fox and the Raven"; "The Lion and the Hare" becomes "The Hungry Wolverine and the Hare." The lessons these stories impart are as relevant as ever and the change of protagonists adds a fresh element. Most of the stories fill one page and face a full-color illustration. The lush paintings convey the beauty and vastness of the region. They also help readers identify lesser-known animals. Vanity, greed, and honesty figure prominently in the fables, which also remind readers to "practice what you preach," that "one good turn deserves another," and that "necessity is the mother of invention." Those looking for materials to supplement character-education curriculum would find this book useful. Comparing and contrasting these stories with their more traditional counterparts could be a meaningful literary activity. Also helpful is the author's endnote, which gives a brief history of Aesop and his fables. Children may be attracted enough by the seal and polar bear depicted on the cover to pick the book up on their own, but the richness of the material is best explored with adult discussion.—Sara-Jo Lupo Sites, George F. Johnson Memorial Library, Endicott, NY