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Unwitting Wisdom: An Anthology of Aesop's Fables
For over 2,500 years the simple stories and wry humor of Aesop's fables have entertained children and adults alike. Their lessons have seeped into the very fabric of our language, as evidenced by expressions such as "sour grapes" and "a wolf in sheep's clothing."
Through the centuries many artists have risen to the challenge of interpreting their favorite tales. In this magnificent edition, award-winning illustrator Helen Ward has chosen a dozen of her favorite fables, painstakingly creating with words and breathtaking watercolors a dazzling new collection destined to become a classic.
Through the centuries many artists have risen to the challenge of interpreting their favorite tales. In this magnificent edition, award-winning illustrator Helen Ward has chosen a dozen of her favorite fables, painstakingly creating with words and breathtaking watercolors a dazzling new collection destined to become a classic.
64 pages, Hardcover
First published August 5, 2004
2 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
About the author
Helen Ward
105 books34 followersHelen Ward won the first Walker Prize for Children’s Illustration and twice won the British National Art Library Award. She has also been short-listed for the 2003 Kate Greenaway Medal. She lives in Gloucestershire, England.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
December 27, 2016
Too much. I suppose some families will like it, but imo this oversize book is just a showcase for the art and a way to get more money than a smaller, cozier, more readable book would be. I would not have enjoyed it as a child. Only a dozen fables is just a sample, anyway, and this would need to be supplemented in order to give a child a good background in the genre. I, personally, am not too fond of Ward's retellings, either; I especially do not understand the postscript to the Tortoise and the Hare tale. Nonetheless, the art is gorgeous, and I don't blame libraries and godparents for buying the book. And I will continue to look for more by the illustrator.
February 28, 2011
Awesome illustrations, lots of big words. This book is better suited for children at least 7 years old, I think. Nicola can read it but comprehension only comes with a lot of talking through it. She totally missed the moral of the story of the Lion and the Mouse. :) She thought the Lion didn't eat the Mouse because it might make him sick. lol
August 24, 2013
I decided to read this book because when I was younger I had a similar book that I loved but, unfortunately, I lost it. So I got a different version of the book that had incredible illustrations and the same stories.
This book completes the category "THREE poems or short stories from ONE anthology". The three short stories I decided to read were called; "Size isn't everything" in which a mouse unexpectedly returns a favour to a lion, "Upon reflection" In which he who would have everything gets nothing, and lastly "A dinner invitation" in which a fox is a bad host and a hungry guest.
The character I found most interesting was the stork from the story "A dinner invitation". This is because she doesn't complain when the fox serves everything in shallow dishes that she can't eat out of. Also, because she teaches the fox in the exact same way when she invites him to her own dinner party and he can't eat anything from the long narrow mouthed jars. I admire the stork for this because she doesn't let the fox get away with what he did but rather gives him a taste of his own medicine.
A quote from the short story "size isn't everything", that I enjoyed was "The lion tried to look as humble as he felt, thanking the mouse profusely and promising never to underestimate the smaller creatures again. The mouse in turn tried to look heroic and brave and as unlike a tasty snack as he could". I like this quote because the one being saved is not the mouse by the lion, but the lion by the mouse, and the lion is genuinely grateful towards the mouse for saving him.
In each story, there was a moral. The moral of the story "size isn't everything" was; It holds through the whole. Scale of creation that the great and the small have need, one of the other. The moral of the story "upon reflection" was; be grateful for what you have. The moral of my favourite story "a dinner invitation" was; do as you would be done by". I believe that the morals of each story were clearly portrayed through each of the stories, and I definitely learnt something from each of them.
This book completes the category "THREE poems or short stories from ONE anthology". The three short stories I decided to read were called; "Size isn't everything" in which a mouse unexpectedly returns a favour to a lion, "Upon reflection" In which he who would have everything gets nothing, and lastly "A dinner invitation" in which a fox is a bad host and a hungry guest.
The character I found most interesting was the stork from the story "A dinner invitation". This is because she doesn't complain when the fox serves everything in shallow dishes that she can't eat out of. Also, because she teaches the fox in the exact same way when she invites him to her own dinner party and he can't eat anything from the long narrow mouthed jars. I admire the stork for this because she doesn't let the fox get away with what he did but rather gives him a taste of his own medicine.
A quote from the short story "size isn't everything", that I enjoyed was "The lion tried to look as humble as he felt, thanking the mouse profusely and promising never to underestimate the smaller creatures again. The mouse in turn tried to look heroic and brave and as unlike a tasty snack as he could". I like this quote because the one being saved is not the mouse by the lion, but the lion by the mouse, and the lion is genuinely grateful towards the mouse for saving him.
In each story, there was a moral. The moral of the story "size isn't everything" was; It holds through the whole. Scale of creation that the great and the small have need, one of the other. The moral of the story "upon reflection" was; be grateful for what you have. The moral of my favourite story "a dinner invitation" was; do as you would be done by". I believe that the morals of each story were clearly portrayed through each of the stories, and I definitely learnt something from each of them.
August 26, 2013
I decided to read this anthology as finding an anthology of short stories or poems proved to be very hard, but luckily Issie had this very interesting book, and was willing to share with me.
This anthology obviously comes under the category of "THREE poems or short stories from ONE anthology" and the three stories that I read from this anthology were;
Steady and Slow,
Sour Grapes and
The Trapping of Power.
Steady and Slow is a story that I think we all know, the story of the tortoise and the hare. Sour Grapes is about an impatient fox, who hides his disappointment with insults. And lastly The Trapping of Power, about an army of mice, who just don't learn that "the more honour, the more danger"
My favourite character from these short stories is most definitely the tortoise in "Steady and Slow". He teaches readers a valuable lesson, that "slow and steady will always win the race." I like that they put such a precious moral in a story where anyone of all ages could understand and comprehend it.
The quote that inspired me from the the three stories was;
"it is easy to despise what you cannot obtain"
Because it made me think, and really got my brain working.
It fascinated me because this quote is something that is very relevant in our every day lives.
It is easy to hate what we don't have, simply because we don't have it, or someone else does.
And last but not least, a principled lesson that I learnt from "Aesop's Animal Fables" was from that of the story about an army of mice.
"the more honour, the more danger"
the more honourable and respected we are, the more vulnerable we are.
I think this is a moral that us humans often forget, though we ought not to, as it is more dangerous than we foresee.
I loved reading through all the little short stories in this anthology, as each story had something different to express, and the reader took away something new from each fable.
This anthology obviously comes under the category of "THREE poems or short stories from ONE anthology" and the three stories that I read from this anthology were;
Steady and Slow,
Sour Grapes and
The Trapping of Power.
Steady and Slow is a story that I think we all know, the story of the tortoise and the hare. Sour Grapes is about an impatient fox, who hides his disappointment with insults. And lastly The Trapping of Power, about an army of mice, who just don't learn that "the more honour, the more danger"
My favourite character from these short stories is most definitely the tortoise in "Steady and Slow". He teaches readers a valuable lesson, that "slow and steady will always win the race." I like that they put such a precious moral in a story where anyone of all ages could understand and comprehend it.
The quote that inspired me from the the three stories was;
"it is easy to despise what you cannot obtain"
Because it made me think, and really got my brain working.
It fascinated me because this quote is something that is very relevant in our every day lives.
It is easy to hate what we don't have, simply because we don't have it, or someone else does.
And last but not least, a principled lesson that I learnt from "Aesop's Animal Fables" was from that of the story about an army of mice.
"the more honour, the more danger"
the more honourable and respected we are, the more vulnerable we are.
I think this is a moral that us humans often forget, though we ought not to, as it is more dangerous than we foresee.
I loved reading through all the little short stories in this anthology, as each story had something different to express, and the reader took away something new from each fable.
December 2, 2017
Lovely and imaginative illustrations. Beautiful vocabulary. I just wish it was longer, and I didn’t love all of the stories the author chose. I think it’s on the plus side of “good”.
September 25, 2018
Due to the short nature of these old, classic fables, I think that this would be a great text to look at in Literacy, to ask the children to create their own short stories, involving a moral complex/teaching. This could initially look into anything that the class have been learning in PSHE. The children could be asked to brainstorm scenarios in which moral complex’s would arise. These scenarios could be transformed into ‘Aesop fable’ type stories. The children could develop their own class collection of fables, which represent the morals and rules that they uphold in their class/school. During art lessons children could be asked to create illustrations involving animals to represent their fables stories. All of these ideas suggest that this book would be very versatile to teach and could easily be used to serve cross-curricular purposes.
This text also stands alone in being useful for most PSHE purposes or just in general if the class are facing any challenges at the time. In my past experience, this book has been useful in terms of facing issues if children that are struggling with lying. I have read and looked at the ‘boy who cried wold’ story before in order to help with these issues.
This text holds many classic, old tales within it which is a really nice way to demonstrate to children the longevity of stories and storytelling. Teaching this message to children will hopefully develop their understanding that books and stories are precious and should be cherished. So much can be communicated through storytelling and this text is a nice demonstration of that.
This text also stands alone in being useful for most PSHE purposes or just in general if the class are facing any challenges at the time. In my past experience, this book has been useful in terms of facing issues if children that are struggling with lying. I have read and looked at the ‘boy who cried wold’ story before in order to help with these issues.
This text holds many classic, old tales within it which is a really nice way to demonstrate to children the longevity of stories and storytelling. Teaching this message to children will hopefully develop their understanding that books and stories are precious and should be cherished. So much can be communicated through storytelling and this text is a nice demonstration of that.
January 27, 2019
Unwitting Wisdom: an Anthology of Aesop's Fables / retold and illustrated by Helen Ward - San Francisco : Chronicle Books, c2004.
SUMMARY: Few stories have endured as long as the Fables of Aesop...Their lessons have seeped into the very fabric of our language -- with expressions such as "sour grapes" and "a wolf in sheep's clothing" still as common in speech today as they ever were....Helen Ward has chosen a dozen of her favorite Fables, painstakingly creating with words and breathtaking watercolors a classic new collection to grace every bookshelf and bedside. (From book jacket)
I picked this oversized book up because of the illustrations that are very simple with beautiful details. The subject and wording better suited for older children and would be great for a simple read a loud and discussion afterwards. Some vocabulary may need to be looked up in the dictionary. Some of the flattery script may be a little hard to read.
The illustrations are worthy of being wall art -- The many detailed faces of the mouse army -- the jackdaw with stolen finery -- the details of the stork'so vessels -- the snails on the stalks, etc.
I have heard most of these stories before but enjoyed Helen Ward's wonderful choice of words that bring the stories to life.
SUMMARY: Few stories have endured as long as the Fables of Aesop...Their lessons have seeped into the very fabric of our language -- with expressions such as "sour grapes" and "a wolf in sheep's clothing" still as common in speech today as they ever were....Helen Ward has chosen a dozen of her favorite Fables, painstakingly creating with words and breathtaking watercolors a classic new collection to grace every bookshelf and bedside. (From book jacket)
I picked this oversized book up because of the illustrations that are very simple with beautiful details. The subject and wording better suited for older children and would be great for a simple read a loud and discussion afterwards. Some vocabulary may need to be looked up in the dictionary. Some of the flattery script may be a little hard to read.
The illustrations are worthy of being wall art -- The many detailed faces of the mouse army -- the jackdaw with stolen finery -- the details of the stork'so vessels -- the snails on the stalks, etc.
I have heard most of these stories before but enjoyed Helen Ward's wonderful choice of words that bring the stories to life.
September 1, 2017
Absolutely stunning. Every page is beautifully presented by Helen Ward, which will capture any child's attention when reading these famous fables. It truly brings these parables to life.
What I especially liked about this book is how it is suitable for a range of ages. Very young children will enjoy the picture book aspect, whilst their short length will encourage young readers to remain focused - however the language is rather complex at times so it is best suited for confident readers. There is also potential points of discussion surrounding the genre, moral and how they may relate to our own lives. This is a versatile and striking retelling of these well known fables.
What I especially liked about this book is how it is suitable for a range of ages. Very young children will enjoy the picture book aspect, whilst their short length will encourage young readers to remain focused - however the language is rather complex at times so it is best suited for confident readers. There is also potential points of discussion surrounding the genre, moral and how they may relate to our own lives. This is a versatile and striking retelling of these well known fables.
October 11, 2017
This collection of fables has a relaxing tone to it. It will keep a smile on your face while reflecting on lessons of life throughout the read. Animals come to life, as predictable as can be; the sly fox, the almighty lion, the naive but clever bird. At the end of each fable, there is a string of few words that summarises the moral in that fable such as "Harm seek, harm find", "It is easy to despise what you cannot obtain", "Be grateful for what you have" "Those who want everything may end up with nothing" and many other words of wisdom. Each fable is a few pages and uses simple language which makes it accessible to all readers, beginner or expert.
September 3, 2018
I have read lots of Aesop's Fables, a collection of fables credited to Aesop (620-560 BC) and this over-sized hardcover copy I have of Helen Ward's is one of my favorites.
Helen Ward was born in Gloucestershire and studied Illustration at Brighton Polytechnic graduating with a BA Honours Degree. While still in college, she was awarded a prize for Children’s Illustration by Walker Books.
If you are familiar with my blog, you know that I adore anthropomorphic animals and Helen's illustrations are among my very favorites.
Helen chose a dozen of her favorite fables to create this breathtaking collection and the animals' in these timeless fables will delight youth as well as adults
Helen Ward was born in Gloucestershire and studied Illustration at Brighton Polytechnic graduating with a BA Honours Degree. While still in college, she was awarded a prize for Children’s Illustration by Walker Books.
If you are familiar with my blog, you know that I adore anthropomorphic animals and Helen's illustrations are among my very favorites.
Helen chose a dozen of her favorite fables to create this breathtaking collection and the animals' in these timeless fables will delight youth as well as adults
April 21, 2025
A selection of 12 fables, retold in simple language with full page illustrations.
January 3, 2021
The art was fantastic and worth the effort alone. The fables were great as well. My niece liked it and I loved it.
November 2, 2010
Two people recommended this book to us. Although I'm not usually a fan of Aesop's fables which are often terse and rather dull, these have been beautifully improved upon by Ward, making them funny and engaging. Add Ward's detailed and expressive illustrations and you have an outstanding book. We spent quite a lot of time going over each illustration and talking about which were our favorites. Logan, the mouse army and I, the fox and the stork.
And here some excerpts we liked:
A dog runs off with a bone from a butcher's shop: "It was so large that he could barely run with it, but run he did, leaving the angry shopkeeper behind with only his shaking fist for company."
"The lion yawned absentmindedly, reavealing his cavernous, tooth-ringed mouth, his coarse pink tongue and the dark threat of his throat."
"There once was a crow sitting in a tree, holding a large, fresh cheese in his beak and feeling very pleased with himself. In fact, he was so pleased that he was just sitting there on his breanch enjoying the all-round sense of well-being and smugness that the cheese was giving him when a fox wandered into the story..."
We've got our own copy coming in the mail. This one is a keeper.
And here some excerpts we liked:
A dog runs off with a bone from a butcher's shop: "It was so large that he could barely run with it, but run he did, leaving the angry shopkeeper behind with only his shaking fist for company."
"The lion yawned absentmindedly, reavealing his cavernous, tooth-ringed mouth, his coarse pink tongue and the dark threat of his throat."
"There once was a crow sitting in a tree, holding a large, fresh cheese in his beak and feeling very pleased with himself. In fact, he was so pleased that he was just sitting there on his breanch enjoying the all-round sense of well-being and smugness that the cheese was giving him when a fox wandered into the story..."
We've got our own copy coming in the mail. This one is a keeper.
November 2, 2015
Aesop’s Fables are of course timeless tales that will always be of value to human beings, but this particular edition is I think useful on a number of levels. The beautiful illustrations mean that the book is initially a picture book to enjoy. The fables themselves are short enough to hold most children’s attention in one go. When reading to older children I think there are two ways of looking at the tales. They can be read aloud and then the child can then be invited to consider the moral of the story. Because this collection states the story’s moral in concise line at the end, another idea is to simply read the moral of the story to the child and ask them to think about what this might mean.
October 27, 2011
Beautiful illustrations and decent writing bring together about ten fables, some I'd heard and a few I hadn't but I don't know if it's jsut me right now or what but some of the stories seem a little messed up. Like the ant who tells the grasshopper he's just going to starve since he didn't work harder to store food in the summer, I don't know that kind of doesn't jive with my beliefs so is it something we should still be reading? Well of course because it opens up conversation about making mistakes and charity and the like.
March 29, 2011
These small but meaningful lessons in this anthology of Aespo's Fables are great for older minds. Would read to 5th grade an above. Hard to understand the ultimate concept in each story, but would be good for small, short class discussions, possibly a morning ice breaker? The wisdom is shown with these short stories and make one think about the lesson that is learned in each.
July 31, 2012
I love Aesop, but the real star here is the artwork. I was simply blown away by the artist's incredible animal portraits, and I know other readers will be wowed as well. I was thrilled to see my personal favorite fable, "The Fox and the Grapes", rendered in such a beautiful way.
This book deserves a Caldecott.
This book deserves a Caldecott.
April 13, 2013
I could give this 2.5 stars. I guess I disagree with most other viewers who thought the illustrations were wonderful. The book was color-less. And didn't have many fables. And had many unfamiliar ones. And wasn't written in child-friendly language. I was looking for something to introduce my kids to fables, and this isn't the right one.
July 28, 2011
one of my favorite bedside or coffee table book. Centuries old stories with important life lessons painstakingly retold with humor and breathtaking watercolors ... Ward has captured the spirit and morals of the selected stories with passion and intrigue.
March 13, 2015
A delightful collection of Aesop's Fables. Only twelve stories total--some familiar, some less, but the tales are well written and beautifully illustrated. This is a great introduction to the fable genre.
August 7, 2014
This is such a beautiful book!
June 1, 2010
A stunningly beautiful book, with two page versions of a variety of fables.
September 29, 2010
The illustrations in this book are BEAUTIFUL and AMAZING. I'd love to buy a print. I also liked the writing of the fables (which sometimes annoy me). Well written and an advanced vocabulary.
October 7, 2011
The illustrations alone make this book worth keeping. Beautiful retelling of Aesop's Fables. Stunning work by Helen Ward.
October 8, 2011
There is something special about short stories with smart massages to the readers. Especially if it's aimed for children, to learn something about life.
Very nice.
Very nice.
September 17, 2012
Beautiful, amazing collection of Aesop. Large-sized book is great.
January 6, 2013
This is a great edition of Aesop's fables. Beautiful art, informative introduction and wonderful read-aloud versions of the tales.
January 10, 2013
I love this book of classic fables! My son and I are reading and it is true, the author paints the images so beautifully with words, the stories almost seem poetic.
April 1, 2015
This is a gorgeous retelling of Aesops fables.
The art and colours are so lovely and the layout of the text is used wonderfully.
The art and colours are so lovely and the layout of the text is used wonderfully.
April 7, 2015
This is a very interesting book with many different fables. I have watched children love listening to these stories begging for more!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews