Tricksters. Reynard for Young Readers

After a week of Nasruddin stories, the focus for this will be a famous animal trickster: Reynard the Fox, a famous character in many European traditions. You can find out some basics about Reynard at Wikipedia, If Reynard is new to you, then children's books are always a great place to start. I even found a version of the Reynard story told in very simple language for young readers: Reynard the Fox by Emma Louise Smythe.

This book was published in 1908 as part of the "Eclectic School Readings" series, and it is designated as a "beginning first reader's book." I was also pleased to see that Smythe advocates having young readers write their own versions of the story, engaging creatively with the characters and their adventures. 

You can get a sense of the simple style here on the opening page of the story; click the image for a larger view.

The book has illustrations too! Here is Reynard getting the pig:

For a more modern children's version, here is Something Nasty in the Cabbages, told and illustrated by Diz Wallis; you can find out more about Wallis's work at his website: DizWallisArt.com.

Here is the fox contemplating the chickens:

This is just one tiny episode from the Reynard cycle, but it is a fun way to get started! The English poet Chaucer chose this episode to include in the Canterbury Tales and there is a Caldecott-winning children's book from the 1950s that also tells this story for children: Chanticleer and the Fox, written and illustrated by Barbara Cooney. Look closely and you'll see the fox peaking out from his hiding place in the bushes:

Here's a two-page spread showing the rooster and the sly Reynard:

So, here are some fun stories and also art to enjoy! I'll be back tomorrow with some more Reynard children's books, and then different editions of Reynard for older readers later in the week.

Reynard the Fox

by Emma Louise Smythe

Something Nasty in the Cabbages

by Diz Wallis

Chanticleer and the Fox

by Barbara Cooney