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Fabulas de Esopo
En este hermoso libro se han seleccionado sesenta fábulas de Esopo un género y un autor imitados sin cesar. Su permanente popularidad no es de extrañar pues cada relato nos depara una sinfín de sorpresas un molinero y su hijo deciden llevar a un burro a cuestas un lobo se disfraza con una piel de oveja una oca pone huevos de oro una tortuga vence a una liebre en una carrera.
128 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2000
28 people are currently reading
483 people want to read
About the author
Jerry Pinkney
152 books266 followersJerry Pinkney was an American illustrator and writer of children's literature. Pinkney illustrated more than 100 books, including picture books, nonfiction titles and novels. Pinkney's works addressed diverse themes and were usually done in watercolors. He was the recipient of five Caldecott Honor books and the winner of the Caldecott Medal for The Lion and the Mouse. He also won the Coretta Scott King Award five times, the Coretta Scott King Honor four times, and was nominated for the prestigious international Hans Christian Anderson Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
December 14, 2016
This has to be one of my favorite anthologies of Aesop's fables. I love Pinkney's cute and colorful illustrations, especially his mice. I was unfamiliar with some of the fables, though I recognized all of the "morals." My favorite Aesop fable will always be Androcles and the lion. I read these aloud to my cats, and we all enjoyed them. Highly recommended as an introduction to the fables.
February 4, 2020
My Aesop reading project continues apace, with this, my ninth collection of fables. Retold and illustrated by the award-winning Jerry Pinkney, whose work has been given the Caldecott Honor five times, this Aesop's Fables presents sixty-one of the classic morality tales, as well as a brief introduction, in which the author lays out his own relationship with the subject matter.
Here the reader will encounter many old favorites, from The Grasshopper and the Ants to The Fox and the Grapes. Here too the reader will discover some lesser-known selections, from The Gardener and the Dog to The Boy and the Almonds. Retold in a contemporary idiom that never feels forced, Pinkney's adaptation feels simultaneously fresh and familiar.
The artwork is deliciously expressive - Pinkney's faces, whether human or animal, show great emotional range, and I appreciated his multicultural approach, in depicting people of diverse racial backgrounds. While I feel very strongly that the cultural identity of any work of folklore should be respected, many of these fables are universal, and an Asian fisherman, African-American milkmaid, European farmer, all have their place in Aesop.
That said, I did wonder a little at Mr. Pinkney's choice, in King Log and King Stork (also known as The Frogs Who Desired a King), to substitute "the sun" for Zeus. Where there is a specifically Greek context to the fables, I think it should be retained, but this is a minor quibble, and did not effect my enjoyment of this otherwise excellent collection.
Here the reader will encounter many old favorites, from The Grasshopper and the Ants to The Fox and the Grapes. Here too the reader will discover some lesser-known selections, from The Gardener and the Dog to The Boy and the Almonds. Retold in a contemporary idiom that never feels forced, Pinkney's adaptation feels simultaneously fresh and familiar.
The artwork is deliciously expressive - Pinkney's faces, whether human or animal, show great emotional range, and I appreciated his multicultural approach, in depicting people of diverse racial backgrounds. While I feel very strongly that the cultural identity of any work of folklore should be respected, many of these fables are universal, and an Asian fisherman, African-American milkmaid, European farmer, all have their place in Aesop.
That said, I did wonder a little at Mr. Pinkney's choice, in King Log and King Stork (also known as The Frogs Who Desired a King), to substitute "the sun" for Zeus. Where there is a specifically Greek context to the fables, I think it should be retained, but this is a minor quibble, and did not effect my enjoyment of this otherwise excellent collection.
March 21, 2018
87 pages. Great re-telling of many tales I have heard/read as a child. There are also many stories I did not know. Well-written and engaging. The illustrations are watercolor and outstanding. This is a work of art. Loved it. I will enjoy reading these to my students soon. Highly recommended Grades 2-5.
March 13, 2023
Beautiful illustrations. Good for all ages. Writing assignment: respond to the story by describing how to employ the fable’s lesson in your own life. Or, can you think of a time in the past that this story’s lesson might have helped you?
September 18, 2024
Bedtime with kids: maybe the absolute perfect setting for reading Aesop’s fables. Pinkney—one of the best illustrators in the game—selects 60 (out of the few hundred) for the book, and that selectivity not only makes the quantity manageable (for adults as much as for kids!), but it allows you to appreciate the quality of each story as well. Knowing the best path forward when there’s no clear right or wrong—when to be gentle and when to use force, when to be cautious and when to be daring, when to make haste and when to go slow and steady—Aesop, like a Greek Solomon, teaches what’s more valuable than silver or gold: wisdom.
March 27, 2018
I chose to read this book because of the author project that one of the groups in our class presented. I loved his artwork and i wasn't disappointed with this book!
June 20, 2023
Turns out I ordered the wrong book from the library, there's a 300 page story, this is just a collection of some of the tales that happen in that. It's a children's book, but was fun reading and discovering which of the tales/morals from my childhood actually originated from Aesop. Will be putting the actual book on hold now.
December 21, 2025
ESOPO Gracias por haber existido y habernos regalado tan grandes fábulas.
Ame el gato y el cascabel. Fue el primer cuento que leí siendo niña.
RECOMENDABLE 💯
Ame el gato y el cascabel. Fue el primer cuento que leí siendo niña.
RECOMENDABLE 💯
November 28, 2023
This is not the edition I read. I listened to the Dreamscpe recording. But I will be gosh darned if I'm going to scroll through over 3,000 goodreads entries to MAYBE find a specific one.
October 19, 2021
Do you remember "The Goose and the Golden Eggs" story? This book has the fable in it! "Aesop's Fables" is a collection of sixty fables by Aesop retold by the Caldecott honor winner author, Jerry Pinkney. The book is most formal, with the text placed opposite of the illustrations on the adjacent page. The artistic media in this book is pencil and watercolor. This book would be perfect in the classroom and integrating it into lessons, and to read for enjoyment! Get this book while you can!
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February 29, 2016Title: Aesop’s Fables
Author: Jerry Pinkney
Illustrator: Jerry Pinkney
Genre: Fables
Theme(s): Life morals and virtues
Opening line/sentence: “The Shepherd Boy and the Wolf: Everyday a poor shepherd sent his son to take their few sheep out to the pasture.”
Brief Book Summary: This collection of familiar and unfamiliar fables is brilliantly brought together in this colorful and beautifully illustrated book. Jerry Pinkney uses his unique artistic style to bring the fables to life for the readers.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Horn Book: Here is the quintessential Aesop, lovingly retold in a contemporary yet timeless style embellished with a profusion of glorious illustrations. The text, sixty-one fables in all, begs to be read aloud; the pictures transport the audience into a different world, magical yet firmly grounded in reality. The whole is an exemplary model of bookmaking--and one destined to become a favorite version of these tales.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: The New York Times: The fables that include people do not refer to the ancient world but instead are set in a rural 19th-century America. It is familiar from much of Pinkney's other work, like the Caldecott Honor Books ''John Henry'' and ''Mirandy and Brother Wind,'' which come from the African-American tradition. But the stories are universal and most of them involve animals, and Pinkney is very good at capturing animals and giving them personality. Pinkney's ''Aesop'' is a visual treat. These are beautiful illustrations, combining pencil, colored pencil and watercolor with a light-as-air touch. There are superb traipsing mice and musical grasshoppers. Fox's eyes sparkle, fur is furry and the animal anatomy is near perfect. The book is handsomely designed, in a large format, and fine paper sets off the illustrations to their best advantage.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: Both reviewers gave high praise to this book and the illustrations that accompany the 61 fables included in this book. The reviewers mentioned how the tales had a nice variety to them and they kept their attention while reading the book. I agree with the reviewers on their reviews and would definitely read some of these tales aloud to my students.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: The fact that this book is a collection of fables makes the book so much more inviting. While a reader may not read all the fables in one sitting, they can sit and read a few fables at a time and get a full reading experience. The collection also offers a variety of fables so the reader will never be bored when picking this book up.
Consideration of Instructional Application: I definitely would not read this book in its entirety to a group of students. I would read this book occasionally throughout the year to mix up the typical books that the students and I would read throughout the year. It would also be used for enjoyment and to relax after a long day of schoolwork!
Author: Jerry Pinkney
Illustrator: Jerry Pinkney
Genre: Fables
Theme(s): Life morals and virtues
Opening line/sentence: “The Shepherd Boy and the Wolf: Everyday a poor shepherd sent his son to take their few sheep out to the pasture.”
Brief Book Summary: This collection of familiar and unfamiliar fables is brilliantly brought together in this colorful and beautifully illustrated book. Jerry Pinkney uses his unique artistic style to bring the fables to life for the readers.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Horn Book: Here is the quintessential Aesop, lovingly retold in a contemporary yet timeless style embellished with a profusion of glorious illustrations. The text, sixty-one fables in all, begs to be read aloud; the pictures transport the audience into a different world, magical yet firmly grounded in reality. The whole is an exemplary model of bookmaking--and one destined to become a favorite version of these tales.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: The New York Times: The fables that include people do not refer to the ancient world but instead are set in a rural 19th-century America. It is familiar from much of Pinkney's other work, like the Caldecott Honor Books ''John Henry'' and ''Mirandy and Brother Wind,'' which come from the African-American tradition. But the stories are universal and most of them involve animals, and Pinkney is very good at capturing animals and giving them personality. Pinkney's ''Aesop'' is a visual treat. These are beautiful illustrations, combining pencil, colored pencil and watercolor with a light-as-air touch. There are superb traipsing mice and musical grasshoppers. Fox's eyes sparkle, fur is furry and the animal anatomy is near perfect. The book is handsomely designed, in a large format, and fine paper sets off the illustrations to their best advantage.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: Both reviewers gave high praise to this book and the illustrations that accompany the 61 fables included in this book. The reviewers mentioned how the tales had a nice variety to them and they kept their attention while reading the book. I agree with the reviewers on their reviews and would definitely read some of these tales aloud to my students.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: The fact that this book is a collection of fables makes the book so much more inviting. While a reader may not read all the fables in one sitting, they can sit and read a few fables at a time and get a full reading experience. The collection also offers a variety of fables so the reader will never be bored when picking this book up.
Consideration of Instructional Application: I definitely would not read this book in its entirety to a group of students. I would read this book occasionally throughout the year to mix up the typical books that the students and I would read throughout the year. It would also be used for enjoyment and to relax after a long day of schoolwork!
March 10, 2017
Fable
Pinkney, Jerry. Aesop’s Fables. (2000).
Pinkney has done a marvelous job of re-telling Aesop’s fables, and gives credit in the introduction to the original Aesop stories that he heard growing up, even providing a brief history of Aesop’s life. In his spectacularly illustrated retelling of the ancient lessons, Pinkney brings to life the stories by setting them in 1800’s rural America. The volume contains 60 of Aesop’s fables, each simply and humorously retold. Most are just a few paragraphs long, and at the end all include a one sentence lesson explicitly letting readers know the universal moral to be learned from the fable. For example, in “The Gardner and His Dog” three short paragraphs tell us of a dog that falls into a well. When his owner tries to rescue him, the dog snaps at his fingers, so the gardener leaves him and tells him to find his own way out. At the end Pinkney states the moral: “Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.”
Most of the tales involve a speaking animal or element, like the wind and the sun in “The North Wind and the Sun,” that stand for an aspect of human nature: pride, innocence, kindness, etc. In addition, most are also accompanied by realistic watercolor and pencil images that are full of emotional expression and support the text. The fine details on the animals, especially the body and facial expressions are amazing. The eyes and musculature in so many of the illustrations convey much of the meaning outlined in the text, helping young readers comprehend what may be complex and abstract messages. It should be noted, that although humans rarely make an appearance in the fables, when they do, Pinkney seems to go out of his way to depict a diverse cast of people of different ages, genders, and ethnicities. This book would be a great way to share with children the old fables and the wisdom they carry. Younger children and developing readers, especially, will appreciate the one-sentence morals that may not be so easily gathered from the text. In addition, many will appreciate the delightful illustrations. However, some younger readers might prefer reading single fables where the illustrations do more of the storytelling.
Target audience: ages 5-10
Pinkney, Jerry. Aesop’s Fables. (2000).
Pinkney has done a marvelous job of re-telling Aesop’s fables, and gives credit in the introduction to the original Aesop stories that he heard growing up, even providing a brief history of Aesop’s life. In his spectacularly illustrated retelling of the ancient lessons, Pinkney brings to life the stories by setting them in 1800’s rural America. The volume contains 60 of Aesop’s fables, each simply and humorously retold. Most are just a few paragraphs long, and at the end all include a one sentence lesson explicitly letting readers know the universal moral to be learned from the fable. For example, in “The Gardner and His Dog” three short paragraphs tell us of a dog that falls into a well. When his owner tries to rescue him, the dog snaps at his fingers, so the gardener leaves him and tells him to find his own way out. At the end Pinkney states the moral: “Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.”
Most of the tales involve a speaking animal or element, like the wind and the sun in “The North Wind and the Sun,” that stand for an aspect of human nature: pride, innocence, kindness, etc. In addition, most are also accompanied by realistic watercolor and pencil images that are full of emotional expression and support the text. The fine details on the animals, especially the body and facial expressions are amazing. The eyes and musculature in so many of the illustrations convey much of the meaning outlined in the text, helping young readers comprehend what may be complex and abstract messages. It should be noted, that although humans rarely make an appearance in the fables, when they do, Pinkney seems to go out of his way to depict a diverse cast of people of different ages, genders, and ethnicities. This book would be a great way to share with children the old fables and the wisdom they carry. Younger children and developing readers, especially, will appreciate the one-sentence morals that may not be so easily gathered from the text. In addition, many will appreciate the delightful illustrations. However, some younger readers might prefer reading single fables where the illustrations do more of the storytelling.
Target audience: ages 5-10
February 29, 2012
This book includes 60 of Aesop's Fables and illustrations done in pencil, colored pencils, and water colors. The classic tale about the boy who cried wolf is told very well in this book because it was written in a classic Aesop style. That is, it was written in a brief passage to keep a child's short attention, and the moral of the lesson was written at the bottom of the page: "No one believes a liar". "The Shepherd Boy and the Wolf" is a story about a young shepherd boy whose father tells him to watch over their herd of sheep and to look out for any wolves that may come and try to attack the sheep. The father gives his son, the shepherd boy, specific directions on what to do in case a wolf comes. He is to shout as loudly as he can so that all of the villagers can come to chase the wolf away. However, the shepherd boy grows unbelievably bored with his responsibility of watching over the sheep so takes it upon himself to shout out "WOLF!" as loudly as he could, and when all of the villagers came, he began laughing and telling them that there was no wolf. He played the trick again the next day, and the villagers left very upset. Then, the following day, when the shepherd boy was taking the sheep into the meadow he notices a shadow in the shape of a wolf lurking around the trees, and then begins to hear growling, so he immediately shouts "WOLF!", but because of the trickery that he played on the villagers the two days before nobody came to his rescue and a sheep was eaten. Moral of the story, no one believes a liar.
This book would work well in a lesson on character development and the negative effects of lying, and can be used for all grade levels (k-12). The theme of this story is about honesty, trickery, and boredom. Students could do a quick writing activity, or have a class discussion on what the shepherd boy could have done to stop from being bored besides playing the trick on the villagers.
This book would work well in a lesson on character development and the negative effects of lying, and can be used for all grade levels (k-12). The theme of this story is about honesty, trickery, and boredom. Students could do a quick writing activity, or have a class discussion on what the shepherd boy could have done to stop from being bored besides playing the trick on the villagers.
January 13, 2017
I really liked this book I loved the morals of the story and how each one had a lesson. There was with lots of animals wolves, mice, cats, grasshoppers frogs, insets, and even people. Each one has its personal plot and storyline along with a lot of fun and entertaining stories for everyone! I also like it because it has good life lessons and some silly stories to everyone could love. I love animals so this is a good book for me and it keeps me wondering what the next story will be about. 5/5 stars:) I would definitely would recommend it so people even my age that like what I like.
September 24, 2008
These fables are timeless. Reading them transported me to my childhood: sitting in Grandma's rocking chair listening to the stories on her record player. Some fables teach truly valuable lessons, while others are fun or a little silly. All of them are enjoyable (and short!) reads.
December 27, 2013
The best Aesop compilation we've read so far, illustrations were FAB.... looking for another awesome one, if anyone has any recommendations...
August 7, 2023
Aesop's Fables, by Jerry Pinkney is a collection of about 60 of Aesops most famous fables retold in a funny and modern way. In the year 2001, a year after it was published, this book won an award for notable children's books through the American Literature Association. Additionally, many of his individual rewritten stories were nominated for individual awards, such as "The Lion and The Mouse" which won the Caldecott award in 2009. Anyway, this collection of classic short stories with moral lessons, or fables is also referred to by some as folkloric. The characters in these stories, as like the original continue to be animals. This collection is best for children between the ages of 4 and 11, but like many other collections, can serve a wider variety of readers. This collection includes classic fables such as " The Hare and the Tortoise," "Country Mouse and City Mouse," and "The Lion and Mouse." While these short stories have held child interest and love for years, the language in this version is a little bit more modernized and easier for a kid to understand with more independence. Most pages have a beautiful full page large or smaller painting to go along with the story, and help readers to bring the stories to life. Some of the short stories in this rewriting are extremely short only consisting of a paragraph or two. While this is excellent for promoting student independence with the text, it does also in my opinion take some away from the individual stories charm. The stories continue to be timeless and engaging no matter how re-written!
October 19, 2025
I enjoyed reading this book full of fables. There were 61 different fables listed in this book and each had a different lesson/ meaning behind it. I think the illustrations were good in this book, but I also think there could have been more. some pages had a very small picture and a lot of white space not being used.
With this fable, I would use it for 3rd grade, the reading would be appropriate for them. I also feel they would understand the lesson the fable is trying to teach them. For an activity, I would have small groups read a different fable and then create their own fable and share with the class.
With this fable, I would use it for 3rd grade, the reading would be appropriate for them. I also feel they would understand the lesson the fable is trying to teach them. For an activity, I would have small groups read a different fable and then create their own fable and share with the class.
June 30, 2022
I enjoyed Jerry Pinkney's illustrations, although some of them were just a small square with the story. I don't have any other Aesop's Fables retellings to compare this one to, but it was very readable and had a nice variety of stories in it. Some of them are funny, some tragic - my 4-year-old didn't seem too disturbed by any of the sad ones. The morals aren't drawn out, just a simple sentence at the end of the story.
April 19, 2020
Modern Fantasy/Traditional Literature
2-6th grade
This is a compilation of tons of short stories such as The Ugly Duckling and Hansel and Gretel. All of these stories are fun reads and can teach the kids lots of life lessons depending on which stories are selected! Would definitely recommend this be included in a elementary school classroom.
2-6th grade
This is a compilation of tons of short stories such as The Ugly Duckling and Hansel and Gretel. All of these stories are fun reads and can teach the kids lots of life lessons depending on which stories are selected! Would definitely recommend this be included in a elementary school classroom.
January 5, 2021
We kept this on our kitchen table and read a fable or two each week. It took us almost a year to complete and the kids and I feeling pretty accomplished. This includes the classics and some new favorites. There are some that were a little dark and too much for my yellow bellied babies. With its sweet illustrations and classic morals, this book is a keeper.
February 19, 2021
Pinkney’s illustrations are wonderful. It has been a long time since I have read any Aesop’s Fables. There are many in here that I had not read or heard before. As I was reading, I thought about how the morals of the stories ring true but seem to be lost in today’s world.
March 21, 2021
I wanted to try to introduce Aesop's fables and... this was not the book for us. I liked the illustrations but the kids were less intrigued, and the fables were not written for little kids - not so much the messages, which were occasionally harsh, but just the language was dull.
Want to read
June 6, 2021As suggested in Excellent Books for Early and Eager Readers
July 28, 2021
Classic stories that I don't remember being a large part of my childhood. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to make them a part of this child's and to get to read them now. It's never too late for a good story.
September 5, 2021
The illustrations were nice. Aesop's fables are short and easy to understand. Sometimes the moral seems a bit out of left field, but they are generally good morals with entertaining stories. They can be a bit dark for younger listeners, but they teach the lesson!
April 25, 2022
k-4
Fantasy
Aesop's fables is a great book to keep in the classroom that you as a teacher can pull from anytime. Some fables being familiar and other could be brand new to the students. The illustrations in this book are incredible.
Fantasy
Aesop's fables is a great book to keep in the classroom that you as a teacher can pull from anytime. Some fables being familiar and other could be brand new to the students. The illustrations in this book are incredible.
November 25, 2022
4.5 stars rounded up. I’ve always enjoyed short fables. These stories from 25 centuries ago give so much insight into humanity.
Jerry Pinkney’s collection is lightened a little for children. His illustrations are, as always, beautiful.
Jerry Pinkney’s collection is lightened a little for children. His illustrations are, as always, beautiful.
June 3, 2024
We've read through these fables several times. Each time, they are still enjoyable. Everyone should be familiar with these stories. Jerry Pinkney's illustrations help bring these wonderful tales to life.
July 7, 2025
Beautifully illustrated, and it's hard to give anything with Aesop's fables less than 5 stars. But some of the explanations for the moral at the end seemed off or could have been worded better, especially for a kid's book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews