Aesop's fables first reading series by Susanna Davidson

Illus. by John Joven. Usborne, 2019. 48pp., hbk.
The lion and the mouse. ISBN: 9781474956550.
The ant and the grasshopper. ISBN: 9781474956567.
The hare and the tortoise. ISBN: 9781474956543.
There are some stories that have stood the test of time for generations and Aesop's fables are among these with their messages still pertinent even in this age of screens and technology. So this new release of these old tales written and illustrated for young emerging readers will open them up to a new generation.
The lion and the mouse tells the story of the arrogant lion who cannot imagine that a tiny mouse would ever be able to help him but discovers that friends can be found in strange places; The ant and the grasshopper reminds us about the need to balance work and play as Ant busily prepares for winter, while Grasshopper sings the summer away; and The hare and the tortoise pits a boastful hare against the slow tortoise with a surprising result.
Knowing these sorts of stories which are the basis of many other stories enriches the young child's literary knowledge and adds depth to their understanding of those other stories so to have them available in the library's collection is essential, in my opinion.
Barbara Braxton