Jean de La Fontaine: Fables
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Authors
Jean de La Fontaine
Issue Date
2021
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Abstract
Here is a new effort by a favorite recent illustrator. This is another great book! The book starts with Dautremer's short poem-like introduction facing an image of a frog gentleman with questions. "Enfin bref, avec tout ça, on se pose un tas de questions." The book helps to present that "heap of questions." A clever approach to the text has unusual vocabulary and historical references circled and tied to explanatory marginal balloons. The large illustrations do raise questions. In the first, a crooning crow at a microphone is having his pocket picked by a fox in the audience (8-9). Grasshopper and ant face each other, with multiple poses of each building a strong background (10-11). So the rhythm continues: two or four pages for each fable, with explicated text superimposed on dramatic illustration. Among the best of the illustrations, I believe, is that of the mice lined up on a row of chairs looking the other way rather than volunteering to bell the cat (34-35). The creative approach to GGE (40-41) has to be seen to be enjoyed! The final image of the cat nestling the unsuspecting sleeping mouse is a fitting finish to an excellent reading experience (76). 8½" x 13¼".
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Publisher
Éditions de la Réunion des Musées Nationaux - Grand Palais