Here are five of the best-loved fables of La Fontaine simply retold and sumptuously illustrated by Brian Wildsmith, an internationally acclaimed picture-book writer and artist. We meet a boastful hare as he challenges a slow-and-steady tortoise to a race. We see how a bag of coins threatens to rob a simple shoemaker of his happiness. We discover that the Sun's gentle warmth is more than a match for the North Wind's bluster. We join a miller, a boy, and a donkey on their eventful journey. And we witness a little rat's kindness and courage in helping a mighty lion. These are lovely stories for adults to share with children over and over again.

One fine morning a miller decides to take his donkey to market. It is not a long journey but it turns out to be more tortuous than the miller or his boy could ever have imagined. Perhaps it is because the people that they meet along the way are more of a hindrance than a help?The simple message of this La Fontaine fable - that it is best to make your own decisions and not be swayed by conflicting advice - is gloriously told in this lovely picture book from Brian Wildsmith, an internationally acclaimed writer and artist for children. His simple words and sumptuousillustrations bring a freshness to this timeless fable and the stunning new cover design and imaginative interior typography will delight a whole new generation of young Wildsmith fans.

A bag of gold given to a poor but cheerful shoemaker by a rich man causes the cobbler so much worry that he returns it.

Rebecca, a young girl living in Nazareth, accompanies a small donkey searching for his mother to a stable in Bethlehem where they both witness a special event.

A retelling of the La Fontaine fable in which a small rat is the only animal capable of saving the life of the King of the Beasts.

Combines engaging illustrations with text based on classic Old Testament and New Testament stories from the Tyndale and King James Bibles, including the tales of Adam and Eve, Noah's Ark and the Last Supper. Simultaneous.

When Elephant takes a quiet stroll with his green umbrella, he's hindered by Hedgehog, Cat, Bear, and Rabbit, each asserting that his umbrella is truly their boat, tent, flying machine, and cane.

The world-famous Christmas carol, retold and illustrated by the legendary European artist Bernadette Watts. A poor boy owns nothing but his precious drum, which he humbly plays for the people of his town. But when news comes of a newborn king, shepherds, strangers, and even common townsfolk travel from far and wide to honor him. The little boy hesitates to visit, convinced he has nothing with which to honor the child… Until the sounds of his drumming fill the winter night with wonder and happiness. Bernadette’s atmospheric illustrations depict this Christmas story with a charm that is second to none.

An ugly duckling spends an unhappy year ostracized by the other animals before he grows into a beautiful swan.

'I am sure to win, but we will race if you like.' So laughs the hare when a slow tortoise challenges him to run all the way to the old cart. His speed is never in doubt but perhaps it is the hare's boastfulness that should make us question the likely outcome of the race? The simple message of this La Fontaine fable - that modesty and perseverance will always be rewarded - is gloriously told in this lovely picture book from Brian Wildsmith, an internationally acclaimed writer and artist for children. His simple words and sumptuous illustrations bring a freshness to this timeless fable and the stunning new cover design and imaginative interior typography will delight a whole new generation of young Wildsmith fans.