Fun with Aesop: Activity Edition, Volume I

Abstract

Six Aesopic fables well told for children. Some of the animals get specific names. There is a moral at the end of each fable, and then two or three brief comments. The fable is then retold in verse in a fashion that seems to presume knowledge of the fable. Finally, there is a page given to some activity based on the fable. The edition provides a good text for use with children. And there is some good psychology at work in the stories. Sam Bunny looked up startled when he woke up; he stood frozen as he watched Jimmy Turtle cross the finish line (5). The fox looked around to make sure that no one was watching as he missed the grapes (26). The brief comments after the moral can be helpful. But sometimes the authors need to fudge on the comments. Thus after the moral of BC-- It's easy to think of ideas you cannot do --we are told (13) to learn another lesson quickly: Try to be wise like Mr. Bishop, but also keep thinking of new ideas like Jeremy! Soon enough the comment is telling us Don't worry about suggesting an idea that won't work. Oh? I fear that the activities in particular may border on the condescending. Do children four to ten years old need activities to get the point of fables? There is a simple Land of Aesop centerfold featuring the characters of this volume's stories. Aesop is certainly alive and well!