The Lion Storyteller Book of Animal Tales

Hartman vibrantly retells and updates 36 animal fables hailing from ancient Greece, Africa, Japan, India, and other world cultures. The selections include trickster, morality, and animal-origin tales—such as “The Tortoise and the Fox,” “The Ant and the Grasshopper,” and “How the Rabbit Lost Its Tail”—along with a few original stories. Nagy’s bright and friendly illustrations mimic Hartman’s descriptive but accessible tone. A thoughtful collection that might inspire some readers to create animal stories of their own. Ages 5–7. (Oct.)