Lousy Rotten Stinkin' Grapes

PreS-Gr 3—In Margie Palatini's retelling of Aesop's fable, "The Fox and the Grapes," Fox unsuccessfully tries repeatedly to reach a bunch of grapes hanging high in a tree before ultimately deciding the grapes must be sour anyway. Barry Moser's watercolor illustrations are humorous and the perfect accompaniment to the text. Jim Brownold uses a variety of amusing voices to depict each of the woodland animals who happen by and attempt to help Fox get the grapes. Most notable is the voice for Bear, who sounds rather dim. Young listeners will likely crack up at Fox's blunders as he refuses to listen to the animals' suggestions for alternative ways to obtain the grapes. Lively music and sound effects by Bruce Zimmerman complement the text very well. As Fox tries to reach higher and higher, musical notes escalate up a scale and help listeners picture the story's action. Page-turn signals are optional. This entertaining tale and fun soundtrack will appeal to children.—Cathie Bashaw Morton, Millbrook Central Schools District, NY