Synopsis
"Necessity is the mother of invention." "Practice what you preach." Join the wolf, polar bear, raven, and many more as they learn (and teach!) many of life's invaluable lessons in this arctic retelling of the classic Aesop's Fables. A ringed seal discovers that the truth can be a powerful friend; an Arctic Ground Squirrel learn to be careful what she wishes for; and the porcupine knows that slow and steady wins the race. With beautiful illustrations by Alaskan painter Jim Fowler, the twelve fables here are uniquely set in the landscape of the Alaskan wilderness.
Praise
"Alaskan landscape painter and picture-book artist Jim Fowler illustrates 12 fables credited to Aesop, choosing Arctic animals as the characters and Arctic landscapes as the settings... Susi Gregg Fowler identifies the source fable for each story in this appealing book and ends each selection in the traditional way, with a stated moral. The writing has a storyteller’s sense of pace and a colloquial manner of telling, and facing each text page is a large illustration, which helps bring the stories and their distinctive settings to life. A good addition to classroom units on fables or the Arctic, this attractive book offers a fresh interpretation of timeless tales."
Booklist Online
"The old tales of Aesop are given new life in this colorful picture book, telling old fables such as 'The Lion and the Hare' and 'The Fox and the Crow,' but with an Alaskan twist.
Anchorage Daily News
"Big, broadly brushed illustrations place the feathered or shaggy actors in nearly treeless but far from barren settings, creating a luxuriant sense of place... A distinctive, respectful selection from the Aesopian canon."
Kirkus Reviews
"Aesop’s Fables have always been excellent tales to help children learn important morals and 'rules' of life without realizing they are actually learning anything. This book is an excellent adaption of twelve of the hundreds of fables attributed to Aesop. By using native animals from the Great Northern Tundra, and the Arctic landscape and culture, you not only to get to enjoy the tale, but you can experience a little of what Alaska is like. The illustrations are excellent renderings that bring the landscape to life and help to visualize the story."
4th Grade Reading