{"id":37465,"date":"2021-01-20T22:32:26","date_gmt":"2021-01-21T02:32:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=37465"},"modified":"2021-01-20T22:32:26","modified_gmt":"2021-01-21T02:32:26","slug":"review-of-the-fabled-life-of-aesop-by-ian-lendler-illustrated-by-pamela-zagarenski","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=37465","title":{"rendered":"Review of The Fabled Life of Aesop, by Ian Lendler, illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>The Fabled Life of Aesop<\/em><\/p>\n

by Ian Lendler
\nillustrated by Pamela Zagarenski<\/p>\n

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2020. 64 pages.
\nReview written March 24, 2020, from a library book
\nStarred Review
\n2020 Sonderbooks Stand-outs<\/a>:
\n#2 Children’s Nonfiction Picture Books<\/p>\n

This is a collection of Aesop\u2019s fables that stands out for two important reasons.<\/p>\n

The first outstanding thing about it is the stunning illustrations by Caldecott-Honor-winning artist Pamela Zagarenski. Every page of this book is beautiful to look at. The illustrations feel otherworldly, adding to the universal nature of the fables.<\/p>\n

The second outstanding feature is that the author presents the life of Aesop before and after presenting most of the fables. I knew, I think, that Aesop had been a slave, but very little else. Ian Lendler tells about his different owners and how he won his freedom with his wisdom.<\/p>\n

He also explains why fables were important for slaves \u2013 a way to tell the truth indirectly and thus not get into trouble. He imagines situations for Aesop to tell several of his fables in the story of his life, thus avoiding trouble while sharing wisdom. I like that the author clearly shows \u2013 with one of Aesop\u2019s fables \u2013 that freedom was the greatest treasure he could win.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s an author\u2019s note at the back that explains what we know and don\u2019t know about Aesop. But that the idea of a slave who won his freedom with his wisdom was attached to the fables for more than 2,000 years.<\/p>\n

This book gave me a whole new appreciation for these fables that I\u2019ve heard over and over again. Children being introduced to them this way will find them magical.<\/p>\n

ianlendler.com<\/a>
\npzagarenski.com<\/a>
\nhmhbooks.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Buy from Amazon.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Find this review on Sonderbooks<\/a> at: www.sonderbooks.com\/Childrens_Nonfiction\/fabled_life_of_aesop.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate, and will earn a small percentage if you order a book on Amazon after clicking through from my site.<\/p>\n

Source: This review is based on a library book from Fairfax County Public Library.<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.<\/p>\n

Tweet<\/a>