Saturday, February 28, 2009

Review: Aesop's Fables & Giveaway

Summary: One of the earliest volumes ever printed in English was Aesop’s Fables, and these delightful, instructive little parables have never gone out of style. Though originally meant for all ages, it is generally considered the first real book to have an audience of children. Noted author John Cech—whose Classic Fairy Tale Collection has received wide critical acclaim—retells some of these best-loved stories in his own inimitable way. Martin Jarrie (illustrator of the bestselling ABC USA) enhances the tales as never before with his unique folk-style art, making this anthology one of the most beautiful and necessary volumes for any child’s bookshelf.

The beloved fables here include:
- The Fox and the Grapes- The Ant and the Grasshopper- The Vain Crow
- The Rooster and the Pearl
- The City Mouse and the Country Mouse
- The Tortoise and the Hare
- The Lion and the Mouse
- The Boy Who Went Swimming
- The Sun and the Wind
- The Monkey and the Camel


Plus: a note on Aesop -- Sterling Publishing

My son was so excited when he saw the picture book AESOP'S FABLES, retold by John Cech and illustrated by Martin Jarrie. He's only four (and a half, he'd be sure to add) and not familiar with Aesop's fables, but he loved the cover with the animals and bright colors. He immediately wanted to read it, so we decided to read four stories before each bedtime. It took us a few days to get through the entire book, but he never asked for a different one until we read each and every story. That's a pretty good endorsement coming from a little guy!

I throughly enjoyed reading this book to my son. While I was familiar with some of the lessons, I certainly didn't know the vast majority of them. I'm guessing my parents didn't read Aesop's fables to me much when I was a child. And a few of the stories that I did remember, I didn't know were Aesop's. I appreciated how each story wrapped up with a one sentence lesson -- kind of like a remember.... I also loved how these lessons about the consequences of our actions still hold true today (both for parents and children.) I'm in awe of how much wisdom is contained in these little stories!

I think AESOP'S FABLES would make a wonderful addition to your library, especially if you have young children. I'm pretty sure that my son didn't understand all of the lessons, but he did enjoy the short stories (one per page) and he loved the illustrations. He even found some of the stories and pictures very funny. And as a parent I liked the stories, pictures, and lessons too; however, I love having this book to use a future teaching tool with my children.

Would you like to win a copy of AESOP'S FABLES? I just happen to have five copies to giveaway courtesy of Sterling Children's Books!!! Please leave a comment with your e-mail address for one entry. If you'd like to double or triple your chances, blog about this contest with a link back here and/or tweet about this giveaway. The contest will be open until Friday, March 13th at 11:59 p.m. EST. I will announce the winner the next day. This contest is open to U.S. and Canada mailing addresses only. Good luck!

61 comments:

Anonymous said...

Don't enter me. I remember some of those tales from the cartoons, but I guess you're too young to remember them.

bethany (dreadlock girl) said...

I just can't resist!! My little ones love fable type tales and this sounds like a great one. Thanks for hosting.

bethany (dot)canfield(AT)gmail.com

Marie said...

I love Aesop's Fables. Please enter me. Thanks.

lazydaisy0413[at]yahoo[dot]com

KR said...

I teach kindergarten. Please count me in!

mj.coward[at]gmail.com

KR said...

I tweeted! http://twitter.com/sumrthyme/status/1261948602

Christie Jarvis said...

I blogged about your giveaway!
http://christiejarvis.blogspot.com/2009/02/win-copy-of-aesops-fables.html

You have a fantastic site and I look forward to reading more from you!

Unknown said...

I'd love to give this to my nephew. He loves to read and I'm sure he'd enjoy this book.

bridget3420(at)yahoo(dot)com

Karin said...

Sounds like a wonderful book~~

carlene said...

Please include me in your drawing.
Thanks
Carlene
willreadforever@verizon.net

Minding Spot said...

Please enter me! wendyhines (at) hotmail (dot) com

Thanks for the chance :)

Amy said...

I'd love to be entered, to send this to my nieces. ;)
mypalamyATgmailDOTcom

joanna said...

Don't enter me, I just wanted to say that I recently listed to this on audio and share your thoughts. And I even said that it would be even better to experience the fables in a children's edition with nice illustrations so I can imagine how much fun you had with these!

Stacie said...

I would love to be entered and share these stories with my kids! Thanks! Staciele(at)netins(dot)net

Shelley said...

This would be a great one for my home library!

saz AT chainreader DOT com

Perrin said...

I just found your blog on google while looking for ideas for our mother-dughter book club. I am considering the Doll People for our next pick so I will be nanxious for a review. I will check back often as it looks like you have a ton of great stuff on here.

perrinstephens@msn.com

Linda said...

I would love to share this book with my 3-year-old grandson, and I believe there is also some wisdom from Aesop that my older grandchildren should be acquainted with.
lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

Now I want to go dig up my old copy of the Fables. I always loved them and I smile whenever my kids study them in school.

I've got this posted at Win a Book. Thanks for the e-mail, my friend!

The Dreamer said...

This is a great giveaway I love new (new to him) books for my son

addeviant006 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Awesome giveaway! I would love to snag a copy for my kids =)
lpmccann(at)gmail.com

Donna said...

Great giveaway! I haven't thought about Aesop's Fables in a long, long time.

Tweeted at twitter.com/fantasydreamer

Unknown said...

I've never heard of this book, but it sounds lovely. Thank you for entering me.

Unknown said...

We are starting to read some Irish myths and fables. My kids are enjoying them.

dasluv(at)gmail(dot)com

Literary Litter said...

I remember some of these! Would love to win a copy! Please enter me! shawnremfrey(at)yahoo(dot)com. Thanks for hosting this giveaway :)

Lenore Appelhans said...

Love the illustrations and this would be a great addition to our picture book library.

E-mail address is in my profile.

Thanks!

drey said...

Oh gosh, I haven't read Aesop's Fables since I was a kid!! My son would love it - please enter me!! =)

Are we there yet? said...

I loved Aesop's Fables as a kiddo and would love to share them with my 3 kiddo's. Great give away!
jmzheaa@sbcglobal.net

mindy said...

thanks for the giveaway a true classic minsthins(at)optonline(dot)net

Marie said...

My daughter would love this, we read Greek Mythology now and she loves the tales.

vmlay@artsci.wust.edu

Debs Desk said...

Please include me in your giveaway.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9@verizon.net

darbyscloset said...

I'd love to read these old favorites and like you many of them I've never heard or remember!
Thanks for the opportunity!
Darby
darbyscloset at yahoo dot com

Renee G said...

I'd love to revisit these stories with my boys.

rsgrandinetti(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I'd love to read this one to my little one! Thanks. utgal2004[at]yahoo[dot]com

Anonymous said...

I remember these stories. I always loved them. Please enter me. Thanks!

tiffanyak1986(at)hotmail(dot)com

Dawn M. said...

I remember a few stories but not very many. I'd love to win the book so I could read it with my niece. I think we'd both enjoy it.

Thanks! :0)

Rue said...

I somehow missed Aesop's Fables when I was a kid. I'd love to read them now.
ruthann (dot) francis (at) gmail (dot) com

Karlie said...

Hopefully my little guy will love these someday. Please enter me.

Anonymous said...

I don't want entered. I think my daughter's a little old for it, but I did want to say how much I enjoy Aesop's fables and I think a lot of kids now miss out on them.

Anonymous said...

This sounds great!

bookcrossingkitten22[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

My kids would like this.

hafner611{AT}gmail{DOT}com

techyone said...

Awww, I'd love this book. I love fables.

Unknown said...

Love to read these with the grandkids

Dani
infotoo at gmail dot com

Ginny said...

I would love a chance at this. We are big into telling fables & myths in our house!

Ginny said...

blogged http://momcontests.blogspot.com/2009/03/aesops-fables-retold-by-john-cech.html

Annie1 said...

Oh, I would love a copy of Aesop's Fables.


Thanks so much!



nancyrobster@gmail.com

Annie1 said...

I tweeted

greeeneyedwhwom (twitter name)

http://tinyurl.com/clehyr Win Aesops Fables


Thanks

nancyrobster@gmail.com

annies home said...

I have a very old copy of grimms brothers fairy tales and would love to read this one as well.

thanks
shopannies@Yahoo.com

annies home said...

twittered
http://twitter.com/shopannies/status/1274197397

shopannies@Yahoo.com

caseykelp said...

Would love to win this and read it then gift it to my nephew and niece. Thank you for the giveaway

Jayna said...

Some edition of Aesop's fables is a great addition to anyone's library. And the art on the cover of this one looks beautiful.
I want it for myself, but I know a teacher who would love this even more than me!

judyv12306 said...

I gave my book addiction to my grandkids. They would love this.

chani said...

what a great giveaway! i'd love to add this to my daughter's fables collection.

chani.adams(at)gmail.com

Serena said...

I have not read these fables in many years. Fantastic giveaway!

nfmgirl said...

I had an Aesop's book as a child, and it was one of my favs. Read it over and over.

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

Anna said...

I remember these tales, and I'd love to have a copy of them for my daughter. Thanks for the great giveaway. I've posted it in my sidebar.

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric

CherylS22 said...

I would love to win this for my nephew - please count me in!

Thanks,
megalon22 at yahoo dot com

Tracey said...

Please count me in. My son would love this.

Hoarders Extraordinaire said...

Please count me in. I'm building a library for future grandbabies...something I've decided I'm old enough for now ;)

Marta
tbbycatt@gmail.com

http://martasmeanderings.blogspot.com

yadgirl said...

OH, I love these fables.

Annmarie Weeks said...

My son LOVES fables...and I love reading them with him. This book looks great!

Carol in Oregon said...

I love reading with my grandson. I love Aesop's Fables. I would love to bring those two loves together.

bakkerfamily1(at)verizon(dot)net

Cricket said...

I read to my kids all the time and this is another great read! Thanks!

JodiMof3 at hotmail dot com