Aesop's Fables - Illustrated by Arthur Rackham
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What’s inside...
Containing the best of Aesop's fables, this text presents a variety of entertaining stories with thought-provoking morals, alongside Rackham's beautifully imaginative and humorous illustrations. Aesop, a slave and storyteller believed to have lived in ancient Greece between 620 and 560 BCE, has stories associated with his name that have continued to be reinterpreted in literary and artistic mediums. Accompanied by dazzling illustrations from Arthur Rackham, a celebrated painter of the British Golden Age of Illustration, the fables are further refined by Rackham's unique style of combining haunting humor with dream-like romance. Pook Press celebrates this era in children's literature by publishing rare and vintage illustrated books in high-quality color editions to delight both young and old.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-17
Length
306 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Which fable did you enjoy the most, and why did it stand out to you?
What lesson did you learn from your favorite fable, and how can you apply it in your daily life?
Can you think of a time when you behaved like one of the characters in the fables?
If you could change the ending of any fable, which one would it be and what would the new ending be?
How do the illustrations by Arthur Rackham enhance the story for you?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading each fable, ask your child to predict what the moral might be based on the title, engaging their analytical thinking.
Discuss the characters' choices and encourage your child to consider alternative actions and potential outcomes.
Connect the morals of the fables to real-life events or decisions your child makes, making the lessons more relatable and impactful.
Encourage your child to draw their favorite scene or character, then discuss why they chose that particular part of the fable.
After reading, ask your child to summarize the fable in their own words, reinforcing comprehension and retention.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Honesty is the best policy
Explanation: In 'The Boy Who Cried Wolf,' a shepherd boy repeatedly tricks nearby villagers into thinking a wolf is attacking his flock. When a wolf does appear, the villagers believe it's another false alarm, resulting in a disaster.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of telling the truth so that others will trust them when it really matters. This can help them build and maintain trust with parents, teachers, and peers.
Example Lesson: Slow and steady wins the race
Explanation: In 'The Tortoise and the Hare,' a fast, confident hare races a slow-moving tortoise and decides to rest mid-way, underestimating his competition. The tortoise continues moving steadily and ends up winning the race.
Real-World Application: This fable encourages children to maintain a steady pace in their tasks and responsibilities, teaching them the value of persistence and consistency over speed and haste.
Example Lesson: Necessity is the mother of invention
Explanation: In 'The Crow and the Pitcher,' a thirsty crow finds a pitcher with water at the bottom, beyond the reach of its beak. After failing to push the pitcher over, the crow drops stones into it, raising the water level until it can drink.
Real-World Application: Children learn to be resourceful and solve problems with the tools available to them, an essential skill in academics and social interactions.
Example Lesson: Unity is strength
Explanation: In 'The Bundle of Sticks,' an old man teaches his quarrelling sons a lesson about strength in unity. He asks them to break a single stick, which they do easily. Then, he bundles several sticks together, which they cannot break.
Real-World Application: This story teaches kids the importance of teamwork and that staying united can make them stronger and more resistant to difficulties in group activities and family life.