The Lion Storyteller Book of Animal Tales

October 24, 2011
Hartman vibrantly retells and updates 36 animal fables hailing from ancient Greece, Africa, Japan, India, and other world cultures. The selections include trickster, morality, and animal-origin tales—such as “The Tortoise and the Fox,” “The Ant and the Grasshopper,” and “How the Rabbit Lost Its Tail”—along with a few original stories. Nagy’s bright and friendly illustrations mimic Hartman’s descriptive but accessible tone. A thoughtful collection that might inspire some readers to create animal stories of their own. Ages 5–7.

November 1, 2011

K-Gr 3-This British import is a reissue of the author's 2002 title, with new illustrations. The 33 retellings include Aesop's fables, trickster tales, and animal stories from around the world, as well as three original tales. The storyteller's voice is evident in these chatty retellings, which tend to go on longer than necessary and are loaded with exclamation points. The diversity of countries represented is commendable, but the selections are all told in the same breezy manner and lack any cultural flavor. Hartman's original stories include one about a dragon, the only tale about a mythical beast. Nagy's colorful illustrations of cute animals and smiling humans are squeezed in around the wordy text. Storytelling tips and source notes are included. While it is helpful to have so many animal stories in one volume, this book is supplemental at best.-Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2004
K-Gr 3-A collection of 33 traditional tales plus three that are original. The sources are diverse and include a Native American story, "Why the Cat Falls on Her Feet," and a story from Syria, "The Goats and the Hyena." Many of the tales, such as "The Tortoise and the Hare" and "City Mouse and Country Mouse," are familiar, but the fluid style and concise structure in which they are presented make them particularly easy to deliver. Poole's animals have a great deal of personality, and the bright watercolor illustrations are witty commentaries on the themes. The stories tie in to many different areas of the curriculum: "Rabbit and the Crops" is a tale for harvest time, "The Lion's Advice" explores the meaning of friendship, "The Woman and the Bird" is about ecology, and so on. This book is also ideal for relaxing and listening at the end of the day. Sources of other versions are included in an author's note.-Jane Barrer, Washington Square Village Creative Steps, New York City

Copyright 2004 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.