Simon and the Better Bone

by Corey R. Tabor

Using the same innovative format as his Caldecott Honor winner, Mel Fell, Corey R. Tabor reimagines Aesop's "The Dog and His Reflection" in a clever, charming tale of empathy and generosity.

One day, down by the pond, Simon meets another dog just like him.

And that dog has a bone just like his, only better!

How will Simon ever get him to trade, when the other pup knows all the same tricks...?

Genres: Picture Books, Dogs, Animals, Humor, Childrens, Storytime, Friendship

40 pages, Hardcover

First published May 9, 2023

About the author

Corey R. Tabor grew up in Wyoming, where he once spent the night in a cave by an underground waterfall. He now lives with his wife in Seattle, where he draws and reads and explores. Please visit him at coreyrtabor.com.

from https://www.readbrightly.com/meet-ill...

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The better bone will be MINE!”

Simon and the Better Bone is based on Aesop’s “The Dog and His Reflection”. So, I bet you can envision the dog/water shenanigans here already.

Meet Simon. He’s a tail wagging, happy-as-can-be dog. Happy because he found a bone! Oh, wait. What’s that? As he’s passing the pond, Simon spots another bone. An even better bone! But another dog has a’ hold of it. Simon tries all sorts of tactics to try to talk, trade, and trick the other dog out of the “better bone”. But no luck. Until…He pounces! Come see what Simon finds in the pond. :)

I loved, loved, loved this book. From the tail wagging sweetness to the soft colors to the vertical view all the way through! And the ending, oh the ending is oh-so perfect. It all added up to pure, storytelling joy for me. This silly, sweet read will make your heart happy. It might even make you peer into the next pond or puddle you pass by with a huge smile on your face.

I highly recommend this grass is always greener tale about generosity, sharing, and friends.

[DaNae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have the same thought after finishing every Corey Tabor book, “Why can’t all picture books be this good?”

[Bethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars. From the vertical opening of the book to the whimsical drawings to the surprise ending, this book is a delight! Simon is a good dog who deserves all the bones!

[Roben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simon is a good boy. And he has found the best bone over. But then, down by the pond, he sees another dog who has a bone that looks even better! Simon wants that bone. He asks nicely but the other dog ignores him! What should Simon do? What would you do?

You have, I am sure, heard of Aesop - who told wonderful stories over 2000 years ago that described human behavior perfectly. A small mouse is released by a lion with a promise to help the lion some day - small but mighty! A tortoise bests a hare in a race. A thirsty crow drops stones in a pitcher full of water to get a drink. The stories and their morals resonate in a multitude of picture books (and other literature) today - so Corey R. Tabor is in good company with this retelling! Tabor definitely has the ability to work magic with his picture books. And graphic novels and early readers. He has become an author that automatically is added to my list of holds when I hear he has a new book coming soon.

Kids should love hearing this story as a read-aloud in story time! The layout is definitely unconventional, as is the ending. Plus it will be fun to discuss reflections!

[Guilherme Semionato · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good, but it lacks the absolute JOY and PANACHE and BOUNCINESS from MEL FELL.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2Tgr...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Atcu8...

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked Mel Fell ok, but I liked this one quite a bit more. I think the format works so well, and it's really fun and funny. I can see this being an awesome read aloud for story time or kindergarten class visit. I also just really love Tabor's art. I love that you can see the mark-making, and it always looks so dynamic--something that's particularly relevant to Simon as he wiggles and wags at his wavy reflection.

[Lucy Kirby · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this adorable picture book, Simon the dog comes across his reflection in a pond, and goes through many emotions as he finally makes friends with his reflection. I love the unique format of this book, as it lends itself to each page depicting above ground and the water.

[Jenny Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful - and timeless - fable with even more delightful illustrations. This is a good one for parents and teachers alike.

[Sirah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simon finds a bone. And it's the best bone ever. But then he sees another dog who has a better bone, and a quarrel ensues. It ranks in the top 10 cutest quarrels of all time, and it ends in a very satisfying way.

I find this book absolutely delightful. I couldn't stop smiling as I reached the midway point, and as soon as I finished, I just wanted to read it again. The sideways orientation of this book makes it even more special, as we get to play with page breaks in an entirely new way.

[Thompson McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

better! Simon wonders how he can get the other dog's bone. The dog seems to know all Simon's tricks. He is copying Simon. Children will realize Simon is staring at his own reflection and giggle at his doggy antics.

With a nod to Aesop's fable "The Dog and His Reflection," Tabor captures little rascally Simon on every page. The book opens and reads vertically, making this book format stand out from all other picture books this year. Innovative design will capture the hearts of child readers and picture book judging panels. Expect to see Simon and the Better Bone awarded this year! Kudos to Corey R. Tabor.

Ages 3 and up. A cute, fun, heartwarming tale about a dog learning about himself, the world and others.
Highly, highly recommended.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

A classic Aesop's fable gets a new twist in this cute book about envy, friendship, and missing the obvious.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

First sentence: Simon was out playing by the pond when he found a bone. If there was a better bone in all the world, Simon hadn't seen it. But then he spotted something in the pond. It was another bone. A better bone. There was a dog holding the bone. But it was a scrawny little dog. Certainly no match for Simon.

Premise/plot: Simon is a LOVABLE dog who though he has a bone wants a BETTER bone that the pond-dog has or seems to have. Will Simon convince the pond-dog to trade bones? Will Simon be left with any bones by the end of the book?

My thoughts: I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this sweet, humorous picture book. Simon was incredibly lovable--and silly. Readers will inevitably be a bit brighter than Simon which makes for some amusement. I love the way this one ends.

This one reads differently than most books--literally--in how the pages are turned. I thought this was fun.

I think this would be a great read aloud for parents, of course, but also for libraries. (I'd say pre-K and Kindergarten could join in on the fun. Not sure if it would work for older grades. Though to be honest, I think readers of all ages could enjoy this one.)

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was told well using the medium of the book. It was neat. Right at the beginning on the verso, Corey tells us this is based on Aesop's "The Dog and his reflection". He says, "Simon gets a happier ending."

We read the book sideways so that the center line is horizontal and not vertical. This way the page on top is the dog and the world and then the page on bottom is the pond and the reflection. It works really well. Very cool.

The story is Simon, a dog, see his reflection in a pond. Then he finds a bone. His reflection also has a bone and it looks even better, so Simon wants that one. There is a nice little surprise ending. It's very well done.

The only thing is the artwork is just crappy. I didn't care for it at all. It's sloppy. The story is great though. There's so much sloppy artwork. Is it a new style now???

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, a retelling of Aesop's The Dog and his Reflection. Beware that when you open this book, you may be wondering if your copy was bound incorrectly with backwards pages. No worries, the upside down illustrations on the title page are intentional as it is a reflection of the dog from Aesop's fable. Like Tabor's Mel Fell, this is a story that you will reach by turning the pages from bottom to top instead of right to left. If you are introducing fables to your children or students, this will a welcome read-aloud.

[Phoebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Endearing illustrations enhance this retelling of the Aesop's fable. With adorably energetic art, Tabor introduces us to Simon, who has found a bone when digging down by the pond--and it's the best bone in the world, he is sure. When he spots another bone, a better bone, held by a scrawny little dog, Simon asks him if he'd like to trade. The other dog doesn't answer, and so Simon decides to try everything he knows to convince the other dog, but nothing works. The ultimate outcome is a positive twist on the moralistic fable and kids will appreciate the happy ending. Illustrations and story come together in a lovely and creative layout featuring multiple perspectives, and the best part is the absolute, utter dog-ness of Simon interacting with his environment. Prek-K.

[Carol V · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible variation of the Aesop's Fable "The Dog and His Reflection". This version is called Simon and the Better Bone! To tell this story correctly the book must be turned sideways! It is a delightful read aloud. Young children will love it and it is a "clapping worthy" read! Little Simon has no idea the meaning of reflection, but children will figure out what is going on right away!

The illustrations are delightful shades of pencil, colored pencil, and paint! These illustrations are essential to the story....and wait till you read the last page! It is so funny! A very happy story...Simon is such a good dog!!!

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Corey Tabor is a favorite of mine among the newer artists and this title is delightful, colorful, and as always imaginative. The storyline is based on the Aesop fable, “ The dDog and His Reflection.” This is another of Tabor’s titles that will need to be read in the vertical position. Because of the playful illustrations and the range of hues of green and pink in the illustrations this is my choir for the 2024 Caldecott award. Besides it has child appeal and will not be sitting on a library shelf gathering dust and receiving an early discard in a number of libraries.
How wonderful it is based on an Aesop’s fable that another generation will enjoy.

[Melissa the Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This style is simplistic and reminiscent of children’s drawings, which I think will appeal to kids. Tabor’s clever way of using the orientation of the book is very effective, with the binding marking the designation between real dog and pond dog. I also loved the Easter Eggs from Mel Fell and Snail Crossing. The story is playful, and the illustrations are equally so (Appropriateness of style of illustration to the story). It’s also really appropriate for children, because it taps into the kind of dreams and fears a child might have (Thinking a restaurant palace is real; Being made into a dumpling and eaten!).

[Tracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simon is thrilled when he finds a lovely bone to chew on by the pond, but then he spots an even BETTER BONE--and so does another dog, it seems. Can Simon work out a solution that will make them both happy?

Cute and clever, this book is formatted in an exciting and unusual way. Similar to the author's previous book Mel Fell, you'll open this book vertically. An author's note that precedes the text states that the story reimagines Aesop's fable "The Dog and His Reflection" with a happier ending.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Takes a classic Aesop, but leaves everyone in a warmer, fuzzier place. Simon gets into a classic argument with his reflection in a pond: this other dog has a better bone. Simon does everything he can to get that bone from the other dog, but ultimately they both lose. And then Simon finds one more bone and uses it to make a friend.

A fun take on how silly dogs can act in front of a reflection, but we are left with the magic of possibility and generosity, instead of the bummer of selfishness and greed.

Used in family storytime.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simon finds the best bone while digging by the pond. That is, until he sees a dog in the pond with a better bone. Simon tries to trade bones with the dog, but the other dog is apparently a bad dog, so Simon gets aggressive and challenges him with all the tricks he knows, except this dog seems to know all those tricks too. It's probably more of a 4-star book, but it went over amazing in Family Storytime, especially for the adults. I'm a sucker for a picture book that messes with the format and utilizes it for the betterment of the story, like Tabor did here and in Mel Fell.

[Laura Giessler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous adaptation of an Aesop fable with a feel-good, admirable twist on the ending. Much to discuss with students here--fables, adaptations, choices that authors make, themes of "grass is greener" and generosity. The clever layout makes the book fun--another "sideways" book, a la Mel Fell, with the book gutter serving as the line between the land and the reflection in the pond. I had to find this book online because my local library hasn't ordered it yet :/, so I didn't get to examine the illustrations as closely as I would like; but they look wonderful and whimsical.

[John Mullarkey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun and clever retelling of an Aesop's fable about a playful puppy named Simon who finds a friend - actually his reflection in a pond. The friend of course, has a bone - does his best to make friends, challenge, and eventually trade his bone, with a better one. Of course, it is pure silliness and nonsense, but it's what makes the humor in the story. The story itself is presented vertically - neat creative angle that sets up the idea of a "double" for Simon - and - the conclusion has a fun twist which leads to further speculation of more hijinks to come after the story.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A worthy successor to Mel Fell, Tabor plays with format yet again, creating a book that is read vertically.

Based off an Aesop fable, this is a cute story about a dog challenging his reflection (that he doesn't know is a reflection). Soon, he makes a friend though and runs off happy.

We love a good dog who gets a happy ending.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Modern retelling of Aesop's Fable with a twist on the ending. Readers see the dog enjoy its bone then want a different "better" one as it looks at its reflection in the water. The antics are amusing as readers understand what the dog doesn't. They watch as the challenges get more complex and can see what the ultimate conclusion will be. However, Tabor ends this tale a bit more kindly as the dog shares the bone with its new friend to finish the story.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so. dang. good. As a retelling of a classic fable, it’s flawless - perfect for use in a classroom setting. As a read-aloud, the charming illustrations and unexpected format (its on its side!) will engage young listeners. The text is short enough to share in storytime and the illustrations — full bleed — are clear enough to draw in a crowd. I don’t know how Corey Tabor keeps winning, but he really just keeps winning over and over.

[Amy Oberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Corey R. Tabor's "Simon and the Better Bone" is perhaps as unique and compelling as "Mel Fell," but with a softer, quieter feel. Science and art combine to present the authentic story of a dog in search of something "better," only to discover that giving is the best of all.

Publication Date: 2023
Format: Picture book
Elements: Text/book presented sideways; pastel-created illustrations; simple text
Connection/Topics: Reflections; friendship

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter and I absolutely adored this book! She wanted to read it every night before bed, and I would often catch her just looking at it by herself. The vivid illustrations are simply magical; it's not easy finding picture books this gorgeously rendered. The story is adorable, charming, and emphasizes empathy and friendship. Because of this book, I'm looking forward to reading his next picture book "Mel Fell"

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This delightful retelling of Aesop’s fable “The Dog and His Reflection” shows how envy is its own punishment and generosity its own reward. The clever formatting of the book also teaches wee ones subtle psychological messages about self-image and self-concept, plus the more sophisticated notions of mirroring and projection. The well-crafted illustrations engage readers of all ages, providing plenty to look at on many levels.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't imagine a better retelling of this Aesop tale. Corey Tabor knocks it out of the park, again, with his timeless "little golden book" style of illustration.

I also don't understand how ONE guy can conceptualize, write, and illustrate to this level of perfection. Is he Mary Poppins, or something?

And,who's on his secret team of editors and book designers? Let's give them a high-five, as well!