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Fables: A Caldecott Award Winner – Humorous Animal Stories for Kids
Winner of the Caldecott Medal
A pig flying through marshmallow clouds? A camel pirouetting through the desert? Where else could a reader find such marvelous things but in a fable? From the author-illustrator behind beloved Frog and Toad, Arnold Lobel, comes a collection of humorous, silly fables that will delight readers young and old.
“The most remarkable of the author-illustrator’s 60-plus bestselling award winners.” —Publishers Weekly
“There is enough cheerful nonsense in Mr. Lobel’s fables to endear any child listener.” —The New York Times
“Lobel has come up with a magical addition to an ancient genre of storytelling.” —Newsweek
A pig flying through marshmallow clouds? A camel pirouetting through the desert? Where else could a reader find such marvelous things but in a fable? From the author-illustrator behind beloved Frog and Toad, Arnold Lobel, comes a collection of humorous, silly fables that will delight readers young and old.
“The most remarkable of the author-illustrator’s 60-plus bestselling award winners.” —Publishers Weekly
“There is enough cheerful nonsense in Mr. Lobel’s fables to endear any child listener.” —The New York Times
“Lobel has come up with a magical addition to an ancient genre of storytelling.” —Newsweek
56 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1980
97 people are currently reading
2491 people want to read
About the author
Arnold Lobel
316 books590 followersArnold Stark Lobel was a popular American author of children's books. Among his most popular books are those of the Frog and Toad series, and Mouse Soup, which won the Garden State Children's Book Award from the New Jersey Library Association.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 452 reviews
May 12, 2017
I just ♡ Arnold Lobel's books and this is a fav. Anyone can enjoy it. My favorite fable in this book is The Pig and the Candy Store. 5*****
April 8, 2019
Arnold Lobel has written his own fables, one page stories, in this collection. There is a lesson in each one and the lessons are written at the bottom of the page for each story. This is a long book that is a lot to read in one setting, but better spread over a few nights.
The artwork is lovely and focuses on the heart of the story. I enjoyed many of these.
The kids thought some of these were funny and some of the stories were boring. The nephew loved the pelican who is a mess at dinner. My nephew is so messy. He was the messiest eater as a child. He still can make a mess, but he is better now. I don't think he got the point of the story. No one would invite the pelican over because he was so messy. I think the nephew missed that important point. There were several stories he liked in here. 3 frogs were eaten and he loved that. This was a 4 star book for him.
The niece enjoyed the story about a Rhinoceros out shopping for a new dress. She is all gussied up and looks silly. The lesson at the bottom says:’Nothing is harder to resist than a bit of flattery.’ She understood the story and she thought it was funny too. She gave this collection 3 stars.
The artwork is lovely and focuses on the heart of the story. I enjoyed many of these.
The kids thought some of these were funny and some of the stories were boring. The nephew loved the pelican who is a mess at dinner. My nephew is so messy. He was the messiest eater as a child. He still can make a mess, but he is better now. I don't think he got the point of the story. No one would invite the pelican over because he was so messy. I think the nephew missed that important point. There were several stories he liked in here. 3 frogs were eaten and he loved that. This was a 4 star book for him.
The niece enjoyed the story about a Rhinoceros out shopping for a new dress. She is all gussied up and looks silly. The lesson at the bottom says:’Nothing is harder to resist than a bit of flattery.’ She understood the story and she thought it was funny too. She gave this collection 3 stars.
January 29, 2026
Arnold Lobel - most famous for his Frog and Toad series - has also written a series of fables centered around lively animals, whimsical moments and crazy situations.
For the most part, I really enjoyed it.
There's only 48 pages but wow - he certainly crammed a LOT of content in there.
Twenty stories and plenty of full-color illustrations really make this book memorable.
I loved all of the animals - from crocodiles to ducks to baboons to elephants - so much variety!
The stories were fairly good. I do wish there was more in terms of content - so many of them were so short that I was just left wishing for more...but I suppose that's a good thing in the end!
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June 8, 2017
This book was a quick read with a nice old writing style that is built up of a bunch of tiny little fables. The book was okay, but the book didn't pop out as the best book I have ever read. (Finished my genre graph)
October 15, 2017
1981 Caldecott Medal
This has 20 written and illustrated fables. Each fable contains a timeless moral that all children could benefit from. I think reading a fable or two at a time would work best, since the fables are sort of lengthy.
This has 20 written and illustrated fables. Each fable contains a timeless moral that all children could benefit from. I think reading a fable or two at a time would work best, since the fables are sort of lengthy.
September 12, 2015
Shades of Aesop done badly. Some of the lessons I don't think were valid lessons at all. But they weren't all that bad and I was willing to go along with this book up until "The Pelican and the Crane."
Call me triggered, as I probably am. As a parent of autistic children I had a hard time with this Fable. I understand the sentiment - you don't have friends because you don't act right. Fine. But with an autistic child who doesn't understand how their behavior impacts others - this kind of lesson seems harsh in a very "you get what you deserve" sort of way. And I have to wonder if it teaches children to react to this kind of behavior in that way.
Perhaps the better lesson would have been a teaching moment, where someone with compassion can work with the offender to understand that they did something not acceptable. Or to perhaps leave judgment of others to some higher authority. I don't know. I certainly didn't like this 'lesson' and while I understand that this isn't the most recent book, compassion is something that's been around for centuries.
This book just didn't work for me.
Call me triggered, as I probably am. As a parent of autistic children I had a hard time with this Fable. I understand the sentiment - you don't have friends because you don't act right. Fine. But with an autistic child who doesn't understand how their behavior impacts others - this kind of lesson seems harsh in a very "you get what you deserve" sort of way. And I have to wonder if it teaches children to react to this kind of behavior in that way.
Perhaps the better lesson would have been a teaching moment, where someone with compassion can work with the offender to understand that they did something not acceptable. Or to perhaps leave judgment of others to some higher authority. I don't know. I certainly didn't like this 'lesson' and while I understand that this isn't the most recent book, compassion is something that's been around for centuries.
This book just didn't work for me.
June 7, 2024
Lobel knows how to write a story. I've been a fan of him ever since I read the first Toad and Frog story. His fables are great. I especially loved the last one whose tagline is that it is worth going on a perilous journey for a moment of true happiness.
April 12, 2010
“Fables” is a book full of (guess) fables written by Arnold Lobel and is the winner of the prestigious Caldecott Medal. This book is full of Aesop-like fables about animals that are greedy, naughty, confident, and lucky and this book is surely to be an instant favorite for children who want to learn useful lessons in life.
Arnold Lobel’s writing is witty and inventive as he narrates each fable with a wise and proper air, indicating that the main characters are of high class (which might explain why they are dress in Victorian-era clothing) yet they tried to learn the trials of life as explain by the moral at the end of each fable. Arnold Lobel’s illustrations are also something to be desired as he makes each character colorful and rich and he also draws each animal in the story as realistically as he can. The image that I really enjoyed was the image of Mr. and Mrs. Kangaroo and their son throwing spitballs at each other in “The Bad Kangaroo” since that shows the main point of the moral: “A child’s conduct will reflect the ways of his parents,” as it shows that even parents can be a bad influence on their child if they do not act properly around their children.
“Fables” is a wonderful book of fables that help teaches children about valuable lessons in life and how they must try to be wise in the decisions they make. I would recommend this book to children ages six and up since it is longer than a regular children’s book would be and that there are some words that smaller children might need their parents help in defining them.
From my Epinions Review:
http://www0.epinions.com/review/Fable...
Arnold Lobel’s writing is witty and inventive as he narrates each fable with a wise and proper air, indicating that the main characters are of high class (which might explain why they are dress in Victorian-era clothing) yet they tried to learn the trials of life as explain by the moral at the end of each fable. Arnold Lobel’s illustrations are also something to be desired as he makes each character colorful and rich and he also draws each animal in the story as realistically as he can. The image that I really enjoyed was the image of Mr. and Mrs. Kangaroo and their son throwing spitballs at each other in “The Bad Kangaroo” since that shows the main point of the moral: “A child’s conduct will reflect the ways of his parents,” as it shows that even parents can be a bad influence on their child if they do not act properly around their children.
“Fables” is a wonderful book of fables that help teaches children about valuable lessons in life and how they must try to be wise in the decisions they make. I would recommend this book to children ages six and up since it is longer than a regular children’s book would be and that there are some words that smaller children might need their parents help in defining them.
From my Epinions Review:
http://www0.epinions.com/review/Fable...
January 19, 2012
Fables by Arnold Lobel consists of 20 one page original fables with fresh morals that slyly, humorously poke human at human failings using animal characters.
Each one page fable has a moral, written in italics, afterward. My favorite fables in the collection, with their morals, are:
The Lobster and the Crab - Even the taking of small risks will add excitement to life.
The Bear and the Crow - Moral: When the need is strong, there are some who will believe anything.
The Pelican and the Crane - Moral: When one is a social failure, the reasons are as clear as day.
The Elephant and his Son - Moral: Knowledge will not always take the place of simple observation.
The Mouse at the Seashore - Moral: All the miles of a hard road are worth a moment of true happiness.
The Frogs at the Rainbow's End - Moral: The highest hopes may lead to the greatest disappointments.
The Cat and his Visions - Moral: All's well that ends with a good meal.
The Ducks and the Fox - Moral: At times, a change of routine can be most healthful.
King Lion and the Beetle - Moral: It is the high and mighty who have the longest distance to fall.
The other fables, which are all entertaining, include The Crocodile in the Bedroom, The Hen and the Apple Tree, The Baboon's Umbrella, The Ostrich in Love, The Camel Dances, The Poor Old Dog, Madam Rhinocerus and her Dress, The Bad Kangaroo, The Pig at the Candy Store, The Young Rooster, and The Hippopotamus at Dinner.
All of these fables can be sucessful as read alouds, and a number of them work well for two voices or readers theater. I have acted out
The Bear and the Crow, donning the Bear's outfit, in storytimes, and for storytelling.
Lobel's illustrations feature a full color one page image for each of the twenty fables. Lobel captures a key element of each fable in his pictures, which feature some animal character of each fable. My favorite illustrations include the image oposite the title page, the lion and beetle, lobster and crab at sea, the frogs chasing the rainbow, bear scowling at crow, elephant and son, pelican eating, and mouse at sunset.
I love the sly, dark humor of these fables. They are not for the very young child, but older preschoolers and up should find them both entertaining and educational. This is a wonderful addition to classic fables, and is highly recommeded for school and public library collections.
For ages 4 to 9, fables, humor, animals, morals, manners, conduct, and fans of Arnold Lobel.
Each one page fable has a moral, written in italics, afterward. My favorite fables in the collection, with their morals, are:
The Lobster and the Crab - Even the taking of small risks will add excitement to life.
The Bear and the Crow - Moral: When the need is strong, there are some who will believe anything.
The Pelican and the Crane - Moral: When one is a social failure, the reasons are as clear as day.
The Elephant and his Son - Moral: Knowledge will not always take the place of simple observation.
The Mouse at the Seashore - Moral: All the miles of a hard road are worth a moment of true happiness.
The Frogs at the Rainbow's End - Moral: The highest hopes may lead to the greatest disappointments.
The Cat and his Visions - Moral: All's well that ends with a good meal.
The Ducks and the Fox - Moral: At times, a change of routine can be most healthful.
King Lion and the Beetle - Moral: It is the high and mighty who have the longest distance to fall.
The other fables, which are all entertaining, include The Crocodile in the Bedroom, The Hen and the Apple Tree, The Baboon's Umbrella, The Ostrich in Love, The Camel Dances, The Poor Old Dog, Madam Rhinocerus and her Dress, The Bad Kangaroo, The Pig at the Candy Store, The Young Rooster, and The Hippopotamus at Dinner.
All of these fables can be sucessful as read alouds, and a number of them work well for two voices or readers theater. I have acted out
The Bear and the Crow, donning the Bear's outfit, in storytimes, and for storytelling.
Lobel's illustrations feature a full color one page image for each of the twenty fables. Lobel captures a key element of each fable in his pictures, which feature some animal character of each fable. My favorite illustrations include the image oposite the title page, the lion and beetle, lobster and crab at sea, the frogs chasing the rainbow, bear scowling at crow, elephant and son, pelican eating, and mouse at sunset.
I love the sly, dark humor of these fables. They are not for the very young child, but older preschoolers and up should find them both entertaining and educational. This is a wonderful addition to classic fables, and is highly recommeded for school and public library collections.
For ages 4 to 9, fables, humor, animals, morals, manners, conduct, and fans of Arnold Lobel.
December 19, 2014
SUMMARY: 'Short, original fables with fresh, unexpected morals poke subtle fun at human foibles through the antics of animals. . . . The droll illustrations, with tones blended to luminescent shading, are complete and humorous themselves.'
REVIEW: Most of Arnold Lobel's books are geared to young children. Fables would be a great read aloud for older elementary students. Each story in and of itself would be a great discussion prompt and/or writing prompt. His illustrations as always are wonderful and even they could be used as great writing prompts for students to develop their own fable. The original fables held many great morals.
FAVORITE QUOTES: "The highest hopes may lead to the greatest disappointments.
"Love can be its own reward."
REVIEW: Most of Arnold Lobel's books are geared to young children. Fables would be a great read aloud for older elementary students. Each story in and of itself would be a great discussion prompt and/or writing prompt. His illustrations as always are wonderful and even they could be used as great writing prompts for students to develop their own fable. The original fables held many great morals.
FAVORITE QUOTES: "The highest hopes may lead to the greatest disappointments.
"Love can be its own reward."
January 29, 2019
own. 1981 Caldecott Medal: Lovely pictures to illustrate each fable. We read two or three fables each day during Morning Time. The kids guessed at the moral for each fable, which was fun for them and entertaining for me.
January 10, 2017
There are sublime stories that teach gentle but important life lessons paired with Lobel's thoughtful and colorful artwork. what more could you ask for? 1981 Caldecott winner!
January 21, 2018
These original animal fables are still as wonderful as I remember them; with short morals at the end, and attractive illustrations.
December 6, 2020
Why don't we heed fables anymore. They are filled with such wisdom wise beyond out time!
October 16, 2009
A collection of fables by Arnold Lobel, similar to Aesop's in that they involve animals in human situations which call for wise decision making. Lobel's illustrations are what make these fables special, some I wish I could frame and put on my wall, especially one of a camel in ballerina shoes. My favorite fables were rather dark, including one about a trio of frogs who chase rainbows into a cave and are eaten by a snake. The moral was something like, 'some hopes end in disappointment.' Ha!
September 21, 2011
I don't think I read this back in my Frog and Toad days, although some of the illustrations seem familiar. But they are so luminous and fun that they may have been reproduced somewhere else. I don't love the fables themselves quite as much -- I'd rather have a story -- but they are nice and sufficiently silly and tongue-in-cheek to not be preachy.
July 12, 2017
Caldecott Winner 1981
This has some truly funny fables. I love the one about the umbrella and the one about the misbehaving kangaroo. It is a fun way to talk with students about fables especially when paired with Squids will be Squids by Scieszka.
This has some truly funny fables. I love the one about the umbrella and the one about the misbehaving kangaroo. It is a fun way to talk with students about fables especially when paired with Squids will be Squids by Scieszka.
March 13, 2018
1981 Caldecott Winner. I use this book when teaching 2nd Grade Fables. It is such a cute book!
August 21, 2018
I think I have a new favorite Caldecott winner.
August 10, 2020
First sentence: A crocodile became increasingly fond of the wallpaper in his bedroom.
Premise/plot: Arnold Lobel is the author and illustrator of this lovely collection of (new) fables. The fables include:
The Crocodile in the Bedroom
The Ducks and the Fox
King Lion and the Beetle
The Lobster and the Crab
The Hen and the Apple Tree
The Baboon's Umbrella
The Frogs at the Rainbow's End
The Bear and the Crow
The Cat and His Visions
The Ostrich in Love
The Camel Dances
The Poor Old Dog
Madame Rhinoceros and Her Dress
The Bad Kangaroo
The Pig at the Candy Store
The Elephant and His Son
The Pelican and the Crane
The Young Rooster
The Hippopotamus at Dinner
The Mouse at the Seashore
Each fable is one spread. One side the text; the other side the illustration. All fables star animals. There is a moral or lesson to be learned at the end of each.
My thoughts: It's not like I loved, loved, loved, crazy-loved each and every fable equally. There were some that I didn't really feel a connection with and "like." But there were about five or six that I do absolutely love like crazy and feel are must reads.
The first one "The Crocodile in the Bedroom" I related to because the crocodile clearly has some OCD issues going on. And if you're need for ordered perfection interferes with you living a normal life...well...you need some help. I don't think the Crocodile is going to be getting help anytime soon.
"The Hen and the Apple Tree," "The Baboon's Umbrella," and "The Bear and the Crow" I think should be required reading. Particularly for the modern church. Not only for Christians, mind you, I think every single person could use a dose of these fables to help survive 2020.
"The Camel Dances" brought a smile to my face.
"The Bad Kangaroo" should be required reading for teachers. I am guessing--pure speculation--that they can relate all too well.
"The Pig at the Candy Store" could very well be many, many, many, many people's life story. A Pig goes on a quest to the candy store--even knowing full well that it will make him fatter in addition to giving him gas and heartburn--but alas, the candy store is closed! The Pig goes home congratulating himself on his WILL POWER.
Those were the stand-out fables for me. Have you read Fables? Do you have any favorites?
Premise/plot: Arnold Lobel is the author and illustrator of this lovely collection of (new) fables. The fables include:
The Crocodile in the Bedroom
The Ducks and the Fox
King Lion and the Beetle
The Lobster and the Crab
The Hen and the Apple Tree
The Baboon's Umbrella
The Frogs at the Rainbow's End
The Bear and the Crow
The Cat and His Visions
The Ostrich in Love
The Camel Dances
The Poor Old Dog
Madame Rhinoceros and Her Dress
The Bad Kangaroo
The Pig at the Candy Store
The Elephant and His Son
The Pelican and the Crane
The Young Rooster
The Hippopotamus at Dinner
The Mouse at the Seashore
Each fable is one spread. One side the text; the other side the illustration. All fables star animals. There is a moral or lesson to be learned at the end of each.
My thoughts: It's not like I loved, loved, loved, crazy-loved each and every fable equally. There were some that I didn't really feel a connection with and "like." But there were about five or six that I do absolutely love like crazy and feel are must reads.
The first one "The Crocodile in the Bedroom" I related to because the crocodile clearly has some OCD issues going on. And if you're need for ordered perfection interferes with you living a normal life...well...you need some help. I don't think the Crocodile is going to be getting help anytime soon.
"The Hen and the Apple Tree," "The Baboon's Umbrella," and "The Bear and the Crow" I think should be required reading. Particularly for the modern church. Not only for Christians, mind you, I think every single person could use a dose of these fables to help survive 2020.
"The Camel Dances" brought a smile to my face.
"The Bad Kangaroo" should be required reading for teachers. I am guessing--pure speculation--that they can relate all too well.
"The Pig at the Candy Store" could very well be many, many, many, many people's life story. A Pig goes on a quest to the candy store--even knowing full well that it will make him fatter in addition to giving him gas and heartburn--but alas, the candy store is closed! The Pig goes home congratulating himself on his WILL POWER.
Those were the stand-out fables for me. Have you read Fables? Do you have any favorites?
March 23, 2023
Fables is the 1981 Caldecott Award winner by Arnold Lobel.
I liked some of the illustrations, particulary page 22 The Ostrich in Love, the contents page with the mice and the 1st inner page picture of the Crocodile. I thought some of the fables were interesting but they didn't give me the kind of punch I wanted or nostalgia I usually get from reading Aesop's Fables. I also thought some of the lessons to be learned were not the greatest.
I did like the story of The Camel Dances and The Mouse at the Seashore.
I liked some of the illustrations, particulary page 22 The Ostrich in Love, the contents page with the mice and the 1st inner page picture of the Crocodile. I thought some of the fables were interesting but they didn't give me the kind of punch I wanted or nostalgia I usually get from reading Aesop's Fables. I also thought some of the lessons to be learned were not the greatest.
I did like the story of The Camel Dances and The Mouse at the Seashore.
October 10, 2022
Fables by Arnold Lobel would make a great addition to any library. The fables in this story follow all the rules of a good fable: simple, to the point, and includes the moral at the end of the story. My favorites were "when one is a social failure, the reasons are clear as day; all the miles of a hard road are worth a moment of true happiness," and "a child's conduct will reflect the ways of his parents." Each fable would make a great read aloud if there was no time for an entire book.
January 28, 2025
These were kinda hit or miss. They still have the charm of Arnold Lobel's work, but I'm thinking fables may not be his strong suit. Some of the stories did not match the moral well, and sometimes the moral was even a bit dubious. Overall an OK book with some meh stuff and a couple gems.
Pros:
- The Crocodile in the Bedroom
- art from The Bear and the Crow
- The Pig at the Candy Store
- The last sentence of the narrative of The Hippopotamus at Dinner was funny
Cons:
- The Ostrich in Love
- The Camel Dances
- lots of the rest were meh, to be honest
Pros:
- The Crocodile in the Bedroom
- art from The Bear and the Crow
- The Pig at the Candy Store
- The last sentence of the narrative of The Hippopotamus at Dinner was funny
Cons:
- The Ostrich in Love
- The Camel Dances
- lots of the rest were meh, to be honest
January 9, 2026
1981 Caldecott Award Winner
I wasn’t expecting a bunch of short stories in this but really, I should’ve based on the title.
Some of these were funny, some of them were not. I think reading them all back to back was a disservice to them because I was trying to power through them and they felt repetitive by the end.
I wasn’t expecting a bunch of short stories in this but really, I should’ve based on the title.
Some of these were funny, some of them were not. I think reading them all back to back was a disservice to them because I was trying to power through them and they felt repetitive by the end.
February 22, 2026
Enjoyed reading this with my kids (7 and 4). Nothing gets the point across or can teach a lesson quite like a good fable and Arnold Lobel wrote some good ones in this book. Some of the ridiculousness portrayed by the animals in his stories are just laugh out loud silly. A good read and one we’d check out from the library again.
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August 6, 2023Hard to not compare this to the Frog & Toad stories, but I still enjoyed this one: my favorite fable was The Mouse at the Seashore.
March 19, 2020
Very lovely short stories with knowledge at the end .
January 15, 2021
This was another 'Mission' book for a reading contest.
I love fables, but I was unfamiliar with any of these.
To be honest, I was glad they ended after 45 minutes.
I love fables, but I was unfamiliar with any of these.
To be honest, I was glad they ended after 45 minutes.
March 22, 2023
Arnold Lobel wrote his own fables, which are one-page stories, in this collection. His artwork for them is very lovely and focuses on the heart of the story. It was the 1981 Caldecott winner for best-illustrated U.S. picture book. At the bottom of each story, he added a lesson (the theme) that goes along with the story. It is a book to be read over a few nights because it would be too much to read in one setting. Each story has a character that is an animal. I loved how it had an older style of writing, throughout each story. I also love how each story teaches the lesson in a way for even kids to understand them.
July 19, 2024
2024 - morning time
Displaying 1 - 30 of 452 reviews