Jungletown Tales
Loading...
Authors
Nelson, C.M.
Issue Date
1943
Volume
Issue
Type
Book, Whole
Language
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
I am surprised that a book like this was produced in London in 1943. It is an enjoyable children's story of six chapters about life in a small African town inhabited by animals, particularly around their schoolhouse. Several of the chapters build directly off of fables. Thus the flyleaf proclaims Jungle Town Tales show that an African setting has brought little change to Aesop's Fables. Yellow unnumbered pages of monotone pictures of characters are inserted between the surprisingly thick, stiff pages. The first chapter features mention of Aesop's TH and has a race between Algy the hare and Elmer the tortoise. This turns into a case of the tricker being tricked. Chapter II features Jerry the ostrich, who outwits Sammy the detestable monkey by gaining the rights to the oil in Sammy's property. I cannot find any relation to a known fable here. Chapter III does a turn on GGE. A wise-guy young swan tricks his overbearing mother into making a mistake about things that glisten but are not gold. Chapter IV uses Lohengrin rather than a fable to make fun of the self-centered swan Cecilia, who does not render her part well in the opera. Chapter V deals with several clever reversals unrelated to fables. An elephant forgets his cue and spoils a performance of Aida. A self-centered giraffe is taken for a maypole of candy. Chapter VI brings the end of the school term and of the book.
Description
Citation
Publisher
The Sylvan Press
License
Journal
Volume
Issue
PubMed ID
DOI
Identifier
5223 (Access ID)