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Saturday, September 10, 2022

Told and Retold: Around the World with Aesop's Fables. Reold and illustrated by Holly Berry. Philomel, Penguin Random House. 2022. $23.99 ages 5 and up


"But still he could not reach them. He tried again 
and again with no luck. Exhausted, he finally gave 
up, realizing his efforts were in vain. 
Was Fox upset he never got to eat the grapes? 
No, he wasn't!
Fox headed home, telling himself, "Those grapes 
aren't worth any more of my time. I'm sure they 
are sour anyway.
"

This version of The Fox and the Grapes comes from 'MIDDLE EAST, ASIA' cites author Holly Berry. In her introduction, she tells readers: 

"This book is a collection of some very old tales, originally thought to be made up by a man, perhaps from Greece, named Aesop. We don't know if  such a man really did exist, but many familiar stories that we call Aesop's fables are still being told around the world."

Each entry indicates a place in the world for the included version, a direct retelling of the old tale, and a double-spread background filled with vibrant illustrations 'created with collaged linoleum block prints on colored papers'.  The illustrations bring clarity to the setting, add vibrant color, and afford high interest for young readers. 

Listeners will enjoy the question-and-answer format. It allows them to think seriously about the situation the animals are in and to offer their own opinions before hearing the author's take on it. As the stories move forward, Ms. Berry takes an opportunity to slow the reading by showing a recurring look at the already-mentioned animal characters as they slowly move across the page. Each stop adds the new characters until a final spread of all are walking toward Aesop himself. As he tells them their own stories, he sends them off into the greater world for their tales to be told again. 

Charming! 

                                                                                      


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