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See also my pages on the workbook and audio cassette packaged with each booklet.

2000 The Country Mouse and the City Mouse. Retold by Kang Yoon-Chung. Illustrated by Kim Bok-Tae. Dust-jacket. Paperbound. Seoul: The Aesop's Fables for Children 1: Tyranno English Program: Alific Language Plus. 6,800 Won from Alific Language Plus, Nov., '05.

I first saw a wall-full of this series at Kyobo Book in Seoul in July, '04. I bought one copy, came home, and worked to order the full set of thirty booklets, workbooks, and audio cassettes from the publisher. Each set cost 9,800 Won. I have divided that cost among the book (6800 Won), booklet (1000 Won), and cassette (2000 Won). The colored booklet features twenty-eight thick, sturdy pages and excellent color reproduction. The art is cartoon-like, simple, and direct. This version of the story has the city mouse getting off of a bus to visit his country friend. The contrasts begin when the city mouse finds the country mouse's house small and old, while the other finds it quiet and cozy. The contrast continues between dry bread and corn on the one hand and cakes and cookies on the other. At the first country meal they decide to go off to the city, again on a bus. Old Yellow comes in because he smells mice, but is soon called away to a bath. Then Fluffy the cat appears and also smells mice. The mice just make it to the mouse hole. That is enough for the country mouse, who wants to go home. "Mental comfort is more important than physical comfort."

2000 The Fox and the Goat. Retold by Kang Yoon-Chung. Illustrated by Lee Han-Joong. Dust-jacket. Paperbound. Seoul: The Aesop's Fables for Children 2: Tyranno English Program: Alific Language Plus. 6,800 Won from Alific Language Plus, Nov., '05.

I first saw a wall-full of this series at Kyobo Book in Seoul in July, '04. I bought one copy, came home, and worked to order the full set of thirty booklets, workbooks, and audio cassettes from the publisher. Each set cost 9,800 Won. I have divided that cost among the book (6800 Won), booklet (1000 Won), and cassette (2000 Won). The colored booklet features twenty-eight thick, sturdy pages and excellent color reproduction. The art is cartoon-like, simple, and direct. This version of the story has a fox that sweats regularly. The goat sometimes looks sheep-like. This version wisely has the fox climbing on the goat's back rather than his shoulders. The fox refuses to help the goat out of the well on the grounds that he might himself fall back in. "Think carefully before you act."

2000 The Flying Turtle. Retold by Kang Yoon-Chung. Illustrated by Kim Chun-Jung. First edition. Paperbound. Seoul: The Aesop's Fables for Children 3: Tyranno English Program: Alific Language Plus. 9,800 Won from Kyobo Book, July, '04. 

The set of materials sold for 9800 Won includes the twenty-eight page colored booklet, a monochrome workbook, and an audio cassette. There are thirty such sets in the series. I can remember being overwhelmed when I saw them all on the wall in Kyobo; there were dozens of little kids sitting nearby dutifully reading books. The colored booklet features thick, sturdy pages and excellent color reproduction. The art is cartoon-like, simple, and direct. This version of the story has the turtle moving to get out of the water and conversing with a fish along the way. The fish asks him to describe the outside world. When he mentions sky and says "but you need to fly," the fish asks if the turtle can fly. He answers "Well, uh... of course." After envying a butterfly, the turtle engages an eagle in conversation and pleads to be taken up into the sky. Though the eagle tells the turtle to hold on tight, it is actually the eagle that is holding the turtle. The turtle soon begs to be taken up higher. Finally, the turtle asks to be let go, since he believes that he can fly now. When the turtle cracks "into a thousand pieces," the image of the dead inner-turtle is almost funny (26).

2000 The Fox and the Crane. Retold by Kang Yoon-Chung. Illustrated by Kim Bak. Dust-jacket. Paperbound. Seoul: The Aesop's Fables for Children 4: Tyranno English Program: Alific Language Plus. 6,800 Won from Alific Language Plus, Nov., '05.

I first saw a wall-full of this series at Kyobo Book in Seoul in July, '04. I bought one copy, came home, and worked to order the full set of thirty booklets, workbooks, and audio cassettes from the publisher. Each set cost 9,800 Won. I have divided that cost among the book (6800 Won), booklet (1000 Won), and cassette (2000 Won). The colored booklet features twenty-eight thick, sturdy pages and excellent color reproduction. The art is cartoon-like, simple, and direct. This version of the story has great facial expressions on the fox. Mr. Fox and Ms. Crane had a big fight a few days ago; that leads to Mr. Fox wanting to trick Ms. Crane. His invitation includes "I want to be your friend again." "If you trick others, someday you will be tricked too."

2000 The Foolish Donkey. Retold by Kang Yoon-Chung. Illustrated by Kim Chun-Jung. Dust-jacket. Paperbound. Seoul: The Aesop's Fables for Children 5: Tyranno English Program: Alific Language Plus. 6,800 Won from Alific Language Plus, Nov., '05.

I first saw a wall-full of this series at Kyobo Book in Seoul in July, '04. I bought one copy, came home, and worked to order the full set of thirty booklets, workbooks, and audio cassettes from the publisher. Each set cost 9,800 Won. I have divided that cost among the book (6800 Won), booklet (1000 Won), and cassette (2000 Won). The colored booklet features twenty-eight thick, sturdy pages and excellent color reproduction. The art is cartoon-like, simple, and direct. This version of the story develops the simple events nicely through three phases: two with salt and one with cotton. In the third phase, neither the donkey nor we know that it is cotton in the large sack. The narrative is careless about tenses as it switches between past and present. This moral may not be the best: "Don't fall for one's own tricks."

2000 The Goose with the Golden Eggs. Retold by Kang Yoon-Chung. Illustrated by Kim Min-Jung. Dust-jacket. Paperbound. Seoul: The Aesop's Fables for Children 6: Tyranno English Program: Alific Language Plus. 6,800 Won from Alific Language Plus, Nov., '05.

I first saw a wall-full of this series at Kyobo Book in Seoul in July, '04. I bought one copy, came home, and worked to order the full set of thirty booklets, workbooks, and audio cassettes from the publisher. Each set cost 9,800 Won. I have divided that cost among the book (6800 Won), booklet (1000 Won), and cassette (2000 Won). The colored booklet features twenty-eight thick, sturdy pages and excellent color reproduction. The art is cartoon-like, simple, and direct. This version of the story makes the wife the principally guilty party. At the key moment in discussion -- after months of golden eggs -- she declares "But I want to become REALLY REALLY rich" (19). The goose has an idea what is coming and runs away. The two cry after they kill the goose. "Don't be greedy."

2000 The Grasshopper and the Ants. Retold by Kang Yoon-Chung. Illustrated by Lee Han-Joong. Dust-jacket. Paperbound. Seoul: The Aesop's Fables for Children 7: Tyranno English Program: Alific Language Plus. 6,800 Won from Alific Language Plus, Nov., '05.

I first saw a wall-full of this series at Kyobo Book in Seoul in July, '04. I bought one copy, came home, and worked to order the full set of thirty booklets, workbooks, and audio cassettes from the publisher. Each set cost 9,800 Won. I have divided that cost among the book (6800 Won), booklet (1000 Won), and cassette (2000 Won). The colored booklet features twenty-eight thick, sturdy pages and excellent color reproduction. The art is cartoon-like, simple, and direct. This version of the story has the Queen Ant talk with the Grasshopper during summer. When he insists on having fun, she responds: "Do as you please. But don't come to me for food later." When he does come during winter, she reminds him of what she said. Then, however, she relents and goes to the kitchen to get him some bread, but when she returns to the door, "the Grasshopper and his guitar have already frozen like ice"! That frozen grasshopper is a memorable image! "Don't be lazy. Always be prepared and diligent. Then you will always be happy."

2000 The Wind and the Sun. Retold by Kang Yoon-Chung. Illustrated by Kim Bok-Tae. Dust-jacket. Paperbound. Seoul: The Aesop's Fables for Children 8: Tyranno English Program: Alific Language Plus. 6,800 Won from Alific Language Plus, Nov., '05.

I first saw a wall-full of this series at Kyobo Book in Seoul in July, '04. I bought one copy, came home, and worked to order the full set of thirty booklets, workbooks, and audio cassettes from the publisher. Each set cost 9,800 Won. I have divided that cost among the book (6800 Won), booklet (1000 Won), and cassette (2000 Won). The colored booklet features twenty-eight thick, sturdy pages and excellent color reproduction. The art is cartoon-like, simple, and direct. This version tells the story, alas, in the less good version. The wind blows away a tree to show that he is the strongest. The wind has the idea of making a bet about the man. Mrs. Sun asks "What kind of bet?" He answers "Make him take off his coat." I still see little sense in that answer. How does the wind make someone take off his coat? Why would the wind ever suggest that bet? In the end here, the wind agrees to blow more gently. "Strength isn't everything."

2000 The Lion in Love. Retold by Kang Yoon-Chung. Illustrated by Kim Bak. Dust-jacket. Paperbound. Seoul: The Aesop's Fables for Children 9: Tyranno English Program: Alific Language Plus. 6,800 Won from Alific Language Plus, Nov., '05.

I first saw a wall-full of this series at Kyobo Book in Seoul in July, '04. I bought one copy, came home, and worked to order the full set of thirty booklets, workbooks, and audio cassettes from the publisher. Each set cost 9,800 Won. I have divided that cost among the book (6800 Won), booklet (1000 Won), and cassette (2000 Won). The colored booklet features twenty-eight thick, sturdy pages and excellent color reproduction. The art is cartoon-like, simple, and direct. This version originally has the lion attacking both farmer and daughter with the intention of eating them. The key picture is on 10-11 and is reproduced on the cover. The hearts in the lion's eyes tell everything! When the farmer will not let his daughter marry the lion, the lion threatens to eat both. The farmer and daughter discuss their plight, and then the daughter has the bright idea. Another great picture on 24-25 shows the farmer whacking the lion hard with a pole. "Wisdom can save you from all kinds of trouble."

2000 The Shepherd Boy and the Wolf. Retold by Kang Yoon-Chung. Illustrated by Kim Chun-Jung. Dust-jacket. Paperbound. Seoul: The Aesop's Fables for Children 10: Tyranno English Program: Alific Language Plus. 6,800 Won from Alific Language Plus, Nov., '05.

I first saw a wall-full of this series at Kyobo Book in Seoul in July, '04. I bought one copy, came home, and worked to order the full set of thirty booklets, workbooks, and audio cassettes from the publisher. Each set cost 9,800 Won. I have divided that cost among the book (6800 Won), booklet (1000 Won), and cassette (2000 Won). The colored booklet features twenty-eight thick, sturdy pages and excellent color reproduction. The art is cartoon-like, simple, and direct. This version has three villagers who come twice only to be laughed at by the boy. The picture of the boy holding his stomach with laughter is great on 20, whose design is repeated on the title-page. Also good is the cover illustration, taken from 22-23: the wolf gobbles up sheep while the boy runs frantically to town. "No one believes a liar even when he tells the truth."

2000 The Monkey King. Retold by Kang Yoon-Chung. Illustrated by Kim Bak. Dust-jacket. Paperbound. Seoul: The Aesop's Fables for Children 11: Tyranno English Program: Alific Language Plus. 6,800 Won from Alific Language Plus, Nov., '05.

I first saw a wall-full of this series at Kyobo Book in Seoul in July, '04. I bought one copy, came home, and worked to order the full set of thirty booklets, workbooks, and audio cassettes from the publisher. Each set cost 9,800 Won. I have divided that cost among the book (6800 Won), booklet (1000 Won), and cassette (2000 Won). The colored booklet features twenty-eight thick, sturdy pages and excellent color reproduction. The art is cartoon-like, simple, and direct. This version is well coordinated but diverges surprisingly from the traditional story. A dancing contest will provide the new king. Duck only wiggles his bottom. Turtle only rocks back and forth to slow music. Bear and rabbit are much better, but monkey dances to "techno music" and wins. He immediately starts bossing people around. Fox does not bring him to a trap set by a hunter, as traditionally, but rather works with the other animals to create a once-for-all trap. He brings monkey to a cave, and everyone lets loose boulders that seal it up. Monkey is locked inside. Monkey repents but bear tells him that it is too late. This version has the brutality and clarity of traditional fables. "If you act haughty because of your position, no one will like you."

2000 The Old Lion. Retold by Kang Yoon-Chung. Illustrated by Kim Min-Jung. Dust-jacket. Paperbound. Seoul: The Aesop's Fables for Children 12: Tyranno English Program: Alific Language Plus. 6,800 Won from Alific Language Plus, Nov., '05.

I first saw a wall-full of this series at Kyobo Book in Seoul in July, '04. I bought one copy, came home, and worked to order the full set of thirty booklets, workbooks, and audio cassettes from the publisher. Each set cost 9,800 Won. I have divided that cost among the book (6800 Won), booklet (1000 Won), and cassette (2000 Won). The colored booklet features twenty-eight thick, sturdy pages and excellent color reproduction. The art is cartoon-like, simple, and direct. This version plays out the lion's trick first by having deer and goat visit the "sick" lion in his cave. "They never come out." Next we follow rabbit and squirrel in their hesitant visit inside the cave, where they are trapped and eaten. Fox stands outside later and, when invited in, responds that it must be too crowded in there. He even asks "Where are all the other animals?" Lion asks for time to explain. Fox says that he will come back later. "Always keep your eyes wide open."

2000 The Lion and the Mouse. Retold by Kang Yoon-Chung. Illustrated by Kim Min-Jung. Dust-jacket. Paperbound. Seoul: The Aesop's Fables for Children 13: Tyranno English Program: Alific Language Plus. 6,800 Won from Alific Language Plus, Nov., '05.

I first saw a wall-full of this series at Kyobo Book in Seoul in July, '04. I bought one copy, came home, and worked to order the full set of thirty booklets, workbooks, and audio cassettes from the publisher. Each set cost 9,800 Won. I have divided that cost among the book (6800 Won), booklet (1000 Won), and cassette (2000 Won). The colored booklet features twenty-eight thick, sturdy pages and excellent color reproduction. The art is cartoon-like, simple, and direct. This version has excellent illustrations around the dramatic moment. First comes the scene which is repeated on the cover: Jerry, playing hide-and-seek, finds a good soft place (8-9). Next he unfortunately shouts "Here I am," thus waking the lion up (10-11). Finally their eyes meet and Jerry knows that he is in trouble (12-13). This may be the first time I have heard the mouse claiming that he tastes terrible (16). When Jerry runs to the lion's help, the lion at first asks him to find a big animal who can help. "Do not judge someone by their size. And, kindness is never wasted."

2000 The Father, His Son, and Their Donkey. Retold by Kang Yoon-Chung. Illustrated by Lee Han-Joong. Dust-jacket. Paperbound. Seoul: The Aesop's Fables for Children 14: Tyranno English Program: Alific Language Plus. 6,800 Won from Alific Language Plus, Nov., '05.

I first saw a wall-full of this series at Kyobo Book in Seoul in July, '04. I bought one copy, came home, and worked to order the full set of thirty booklets, workbooks, and audio cassettes from the publisher. Each set cost 9,800 Won. I have divided that cost among the book (6800 Won), booklet (1000 Won), and cassette (2000 Won). The colored booklet features twenty-eight thick, sturdy pages and excellent color reproduction. The art is cartoon-like, simple, and direct. This version has time to make some things explicit that are often presumed in the story. Thus the father is urging his son to get on the donkey with him: "Just get on, son. People will think I am a bad father" (15). After they have carried the donkey, the son says "This donkey is getting heavy. And I am getting tired" (19). The donkey responds nervously to the townspeople's laughter over seeing people carry a donkey. The father urges the son to jump in and get the donkey, but the son answers that the water is deep and he does not know how to swim. The donkey drifts away downstream. "You can't please everyone."

2000 The Wolf and the House Dog. Retold by Kang Yoon-Chung. Illustrated by Kim Bok-Tae. Dust-jacket. Paperbound. Seoul: The Aesop's Fables for Children 15: Tyranno English Program: Alific Language Plus. 6,800 Won from Alific Language Plus, Nov., '05.

I first saw a wall-full of this series at Kyobo Book in Seoul in July, '04. I bought one copy, came home, and worked to order the full set of thirty booklets, workbooks, and audio cassettes from the publisher. Each set cost 9,800 Won. I have divided that cost among the book (6800 Won), booklet (1000 Won), and cassette (2000 Won). The colored booklet features twenty-eight thick, sturdy pages and excellent color reproduction. The art is cartoon-like, simple, and direct. Bok-Tae presents a wonderfully emaciated wolf. This story begins when the wolf fails to catch a rabbit. The dog, lost from the village, asks if the wolf has been crying, since his eyes are red. He cannot answer directly. The paltriness of the house dog's tasks is presented well. The departing wolf says "I would rather be hungry than be chained." "Nothing is more valuable than freedom."

2000 Belling the Cat. Retold by Kang Yoon-Chung. Illustrated by Kim Bok-Tae. Dust-jacket. Paperbound. Seoul: The Aesop's Fables for Children 16: Tyranno English Program: Alific Language Plus. 6,800 Won from Alific Language Plus, Nov., '05.

I first saw a wall-full of this series at Kyobo Book in Seoul in July, '04. I bought one copy, came home, and worked to order the full set of thirty booklets, workbooks, and audio cassettes from the publisher. Each set cost 9,800 Won. I have divided that cost among the book (6800 Won), booklet (1000 Won), and cassette (2000 Won). The colored booklet features twenty-eight thick, sturdy pages and excellent color reproduction. The art is cartoon-like, simple, and direct. This version names a number of the mice. Grandpa Willy raises the "Who will do it?" question, and mice excuse themselves one after another. Lenny and Theodore at the story's beginning see Kitty eat poor Little Joe. "A good plan is of no use if it is not carried out."

2000 The Bear's Whisper. Retold by Kang Yoon-Chung. Illustrated by Lee Han-Joong. Dust-jacket. Paperbound. Seoul: The Aesop's Fables for Children 17: Tyranno English Program: Alific Language Plus. 6,800 Won from Alific Language Plus, Nov., '05.

I first saw a wall-full of this series at Kyobo Book in Seoul in July, '04. I bought one copy, came home, and worked to order the full set of thirty booklets, workbooks, and audio cassettes from the publisher. Each set cost 9,800 Won. I have divided that cost among the book (6800 Won), booklet (1000 Won), and cassette (2000 Won). The colored booklet features twenty-eight thick, sturdy pages and excellent color reproduction. The art is cartoon-like, simple, and direct. What a great title for this story! This version has Bob repeatedly reassuring his anxious friend John that he will protect him. John is tired and has taken off his shoes to rest his feet. The bear, who sees these two men as lunch and dinner, is surprised when John -- who of course now cannot run as fast as Bob -- suddenly appears dead. To be on the safe side, the bear passes him up. Bob explains that he was going to help, but then the bear went away. When John "quotes" the bear to Bob, he also acts on the bear's advice and leaves the friend who ran away by himself. "A friend in need is a friend indeed."

2000 The Fashionable Crow. Retold by Kang Yoon-Chung. Illustrated by Kim Chun-Jung. Dust-jacket. Paperbound. Seoul: The Aesop's Fables for Children 18: Tyranno English Program: Alific Language Plus. 6,800 Won from Alific Language Plus, Nov., '05.

I first saw a wall-full of this series at Kyobo Book in Seoul in July, '04. I bought one copy, came home, and worked to order the full set of thirty booklets, workbooks, and audio cassettes from the publisher. Each set cost 9,800 Won. I have divided that cost among the book (6800 Won), booklet (1000 Won), and cassette (2000 Won). The colored booklet features twenty-eight thick, sturdy pages and excellent color reproduction. The art is cartoon-like, simple, and direct. I never knew that a crow could have such revealing facial expressions! See particularly 11 and 12, the latter repeated on the title-page. Tonight God will pick the prettiest bird and there will be a party at the palace. Somehow the crow has not heard. The other birds, who find the crow dirty and ugly, will not let him bathe before them, since he will dirty the water. The crow then bathes for two hours, hoping to become white. He notices the other birds' left feathers and covers himself with them. There is on 17 a fine view of the "beautiful" bird the crow now sees reflected in the water. God, with a white beard and a long white garment, finds the late-coming multi-colored bird "fashionable" and the duck finds him "beautiful," but the other birds do not know who it is. God crowns the crow the most beautiful and asks who he is. As he hesitates to give his name, a feather falls out. The other birds start identifying their own feathers on the crow. The crow pictured on 25 and 26 is not only sad but also delapidated. "I didn't mean to trick anyone. I just wanted to be pretty like all of you." "Don't try to be someone else. Just be yourself."

2000 The Golden Ax. Retold by Kang Yoon-Chung. Illustrated by Kim Bak. Dust-jacket. Paperbound. Seoul: The Aesop's Fables for Children 19: Tyranno English Program: Alific Language Plus. 6,800 Won from Alific Language Plus, Nov., '05.

I first saw a wall-full of this series at Kyobo Book in Seoul in July, '04. I bought one copy, came home, and worked to order the full set of thirty booklets, workbooks, and audio cassettes from the publisher. Each set cost 9,800 Won. I have divided that cost among the book (6800 Won), booklet (1000 Won), and cassette (2000 Won). The colored booklet features twenty-eight thick, sturdy pages and excellent color reproduction. The art is cartoon-like, simple, and direct. This version features a dutiful woodcutter whose mother is sick and needs medicine; he chops his wood to help her. The second main character here is an otherwise undescribed "Spirit," a balding old man who comes out of the water wearing a green robe. After three rounds of diving and coming out with an ax, he awards the woodcutter all three axes because he is "an honest man and a devoted son" (14). One of the book's best illustrations shows the woodcutter carrying the three axes in the wood-rack on his back, as he meets the inquiring fellow woodcutter (15). This second woodcutter already expresses to the original woodcutter his idea of doing just what he had done, and the latter tells him that he finds it a bad idea. The base second woodcutter claims the golden ax as his own. Then he also claims the silver ax but not his own iron ax. Thereupon (24) the whole forest turns dark, there is thunder and lightning, and the spirit, now menacing, calls him a greedy man and a terrible liar. The woodcutter asks for at least his iron ax back, but does not get it. "Honest and diligent men are rewarded and greedy men are punished."

2000 The Frog and the Ox. Retold by Kang Yoon-Chung. Illustrated by Kim Chun-Jung. Dust-jacket. Paperbound. Seoul: The Aesop's Fables for Children 20: Tyranno English Program: Alific Language Plus. 6,800 Won from Alific Language Plus, Nov., '05.

I first saw a wall-full of this series at Kyobo Book in Seoul in July, '04. I bought one copy, came home, and worked to order the full set of thirty booklets, workbooks, and audio cassettes from the publisher. Each set cost 9,800 Won. I have divided that cost among the book (6800 Won), booklet (1000 Won), and cassette (2000 Won). The colored booklet features twenty-eight thick, sturdy pages and excellent color reproduction. The art is cartoon-like, simple, and direct. This version features legware for frogs: shorts for Baby Frog and Big Brother Frog and a skirt for Mother Frog. They live in a little cabana with chairs and cups. Intrigued by the giant beast the farmer is leading, his ox, the frog children follow. Baby Frog does not see this animal turning around and is crushed dead under his hoof. Big Brother hops home to bring the bad news to Mother Frog. It is the latter's belly or throat -- not the whole body -- that becomes distended and finally explodes. The art is well done! As she lies dead on the last page, her stomach looks like a burst balloon. "Don't try to do the impossible."

2000 The Son and His Mother. Retold by Kang Yoon-Chung. Illustrated by Lee Woo-Bum. Dust-jacket. Paperbound. Seoul: The Aesop's Fables for Children 21: Tyranno English Program: Alific Language Plus. 6,800 Won from Alific Language Plus, Nov., '05.

I first saw a wall-full of this series at Kyobo Book in Seoul in July, '04. I bought one copy, came home, and worked to order the full set of thirty booklets, workbooks, and audio cassettes from the publisher. Each set cost 9,800 Won. I have divided that cost among the book (6800 Won), booklet (1000 Won), and cassette (2000 Won). The colored booklet features twenty-eight thick, sturdy pages and excellent color reproduction. The art is cartoon-like, simple, and direct. This dramatic version of the story has the mother promising not to punish the son (6); he only needs to tell her the truth. He steals a toy car his first day at school, and then a book of fairy tales. I note that he did not steal fables! He might have learned better! This mother will even ask him "What did you steal this time, my son?" (14). He is caught robbing a bank. She visits him in jail and asks "Are you okay, my son?" His answer: "No! I am not okay. I am in jail!" There he bites her ear. She claims "I never did anything!" His response: "That's just it. You didn't do anything. You never punished me. And now I'm in jail. Why didn't you punish me when I first stole the toy car?" Her answer: "Because I loved you. I'm sorry, my son." His last word is "It's no use now." Are those glasses he wears or a burglar's mask (17 and -- without the cigarette -- the cover)? It strikes me that here and regularly in this series the illustrations are Western rather than Korean. "Spare the rod and spoil the child."

2000 The Farmer and the Eagle. Retold by Kang Yoon-Chung. Illustrated by Lee Han-Joong. Dust-jacket. Paperbound. Seoul: The Aesop's Fables for Children 22: Tyranno English Program: Alific Language Plus. 6,800 Won from Alific Language Plus, Nov., '05.

I first saw a wall-full of this series at Kyobo Book in Seoul in July, '04. I bought one copy, came home, and worked to order the full set of thirty booklets, workbooks, and audio cassettes from the publisher. Each set cost 9,800 Won. I have divided that cost among the book (6800 Won), booklet (1000 Won), and cassette (2000 Won). The colored booklet features twenty-eight thick, sturdy pages and excellent color reproduction. The art is cartoon-like, simple, and direct. This version, as is common in this series, fills in the motivations and reflections that might characterize the chief actors. This bird is not only trapped; he is also hurt. The farmer not only frees him; he nurses him back to full health. The farmer's neighbors advise him either to eat the bird or to sell him. This telling of the story raises questions. Why would the eagle, who has had no trouble talking to the farmer before, not tell him now that the wall is about to collapse? And is eagle intelligence such that it would, in the natural world as well as the fable world, perceive a wall about to fall and would construct a purposefull sequence like the hat-snatch-and-drop? Han-Joong does a good job with giving the eagle an expressive face. "If you are kind to someone, he will someday repay you."

2000 The Frog and the Mouse. Retold by Kang Yoon-Chung. Illustrated by Kim Bok-Tae. Dust-jacket. Paperbound. Seoul: The Aesop's Fables for Children 23: Tyranno English Program: Alific Language Plus. 6,800 Won from Alific Language Plus, Nov., '05.

I first saw a wall-full of this series at Kyobo Book in Seoul in July, '04. I bought one copy, came home, and worked to order the full set of thirty booklets, workbooks, and audio cassettes from the publisher. Each set cost 9,800 Won. I have divided that cost among the book (6800 Won), booklet (1000 Won), and cassette (2000 Won). The colored booklet features twenty-eight thick, sturdy pages and excellent color reproduction. The art is cartoon-like, simple, and direct. This version deals in its own way with the issues that this story has presented down through the tradition. Frog suggests the tying up of legs, and mouse agrees. Mouse creates the first discomfort in the relationship when he drags frog off quickly to a field to eat. When frog gets the bright idea to swim, mouse mentions that he cannot breathe underwater and "can't even swim well" (14). After the difficulty of a first plunge, mouse comes to like swimming. It is fun. He gets tired, however, and here the frog shows his poor side. He does not care about mouse's needs or desires and starts swimming again. He asks after a while if mouse is okay, gets no answer, and realizes that he is dead. "Too bad. I'll just keep swimming" (22). What the hawk sees he recognizes as a dead mouse. The last picture is quite graphic: the hawk has swallowed the dead mouse, and the frog and string dangle from his mouth. Frog is next! I notice one inconsistency within this version. One leg of each is tied together according to all the illustrations and almost all of the text. Once the text speaks strangely in the plural: "My legs are tied to yours," the mouse answers when the frog tells him that he can leave if he wants to (20). "If you harm others, you will also be harmed."

2000 The Mosquito and the Lion. Retold by Kang Yoon-Chung. Illustrated by Kim Bak. Dust-jacket. Paperbound. Seoul: The Aesop's Fables for Children 24: Tyranno English Program: Alific Language Plus. 6,800 Won from Alific Language Plus, Nov., '05.

I first saw a wall-full of this series at Kyobo Book in Seoul in July, '04. I bought one copy, came home, and worked to order the full set of thirty booklets, workbooks, and audio cassettes from the publisher. Each set cost 9,800 Won. I have divided that cost among the book (6800 Won), booklet (1000 Won), and cassette (2000 Won). The colored booklet features twenty-eight thick, sturdy pages and excellent color reproduction. The art is cartoon-like, simple, and direct. This version follows the traditional story with one major addition. The mosquito, after attacking the lion without effect, gathers a whole swarm of mosquitoes, and the common attack is effective in making the lion give up. The visual artistry here is good. One strength is the portrayal of the mosquito as an orbit with eyes. That is as much as the lion perceives, or as we usually perceive, of a pesky mosquito. The animated facial expressions of both characters are strong, as when they face each other on 16. This confrontation is repeated on the title-page. "Always be humble."

2000 The Rabbit and the Tortoise. Retold by Kang Yoon-Chung. Illustrated by Kim Chun-Jung. Dust-jacket. Paperbound. Seoul: The Aesop's Fables for Children 25: Tyranno English Program: Alific Language Plus. 6,800 Won from Alific Language Plus, Nov., '05.

I first saw a wall-full of this series at Kyobo Book in Seoul in July, '04. I bought one copy, came home, and worked to order the full set of thirty booklets, workbooks, and audio cassettes from the publisher. Each set cost 9,800 Won. I have divided that cost among the book (6800 Won), booklet (1000 Won), and cassette (2000 Won). The colored booklet features twenty-eight thick, sturdy pages and excellent color reproduction. The art is cartoon-like, simple, and direct. This version has the two meeting and the tortoise offering friendship, which the rabbit refuses. Why? Because the tortoise's legs are too short, he is too slow, and he cannot jump. Those insults provoke the tortoise's challenge to a race. The loser must carry the winner. "The Rabbit decides to take a nap" (15). The rabbit "continues to sleep for hours" (17). The tortoise refuses the ride on the rabbit's back and asks instead if the two could not just be friends. "Talent is of no use without effort."

2000 The Donkey in the Lion's Skin. Retold by Kang Yoon-Chung. Illustrated by Kim Bak. Dust-jacket. Paperbound. Seoul: The Aesop's Fables for Children 26: Tyranno English Program: Alific Language Plus. 6,800 Won from Alific Language Plus, Nov., '05.

I first saw a wall-full of this series at Kyobo Book in Seoul in July, '04. I bought one copy, came home, and worked to order the full set of thirty booklets, workbooks, and audio cassettes from the publisher. Each set cost 9,800 Won. I have divided that cost among the book (6800 Won), booklet (1000 Won), and cassette (2000 Won). The colored booklet features twenty-eight thick, sturdy pages and excellent color reproduction. The art is cartoon-like, simple, and direct. This version makes several engaging choices among the options from the tradition. This may be the first time that I have seen the fox afraid at his first encounter with this beast. All the animals together work out their suspicions of this strange-sounding lion; it is not just the fox who plays the detective. Further, a wind takes the lion's skin off the donkey just as they are developing their sense that this is no lion. They all kick the donkey to avenge his trick on them. Bak's illustrations are good. By giving us a good view of the lion's skin on the ground, we can enjoy the same when the eye-holes are filled by different eyes (8-9). Notice also the "inside view" of the donkey-lion's "roar" on 18. "Don't make a fool of yourself by pretending to be someone else."

2000 The Farmer and His Sons. Retold by Kang Yoon-Chung. Illustrated by Lee Woo-Bum. Dust-jacket. Paperbound. Seoul: The Aesop's Fables for Children 27: Tyranno English Program: Alific Language Plus. 6,800 Won from Alific Language Plus, Nov., '05.

I first saw a wall-full of this series at Kyobo Book in Seoul in July, '04. I bought one copy, came home, and worked to order the full set of thirty booklets, workbooks, and audio cassettes from the publisher. Each set cost 9,800 Won. I have divided that cost among the book (6800 Won), booklet (1000 Won), and cassette (2000 Won). The colored booklet features twenty-eight thick, sturdy pages and excellent color reproduction. The art is cartoon-like, simple, and direct. In this version, all three boys perpetually make excuses. They cannot help the dutiful Mr. Thompson in his grape fields. The neighbors notice how unhelpful the boys are. As Mr. Thompson faces his death, he cannot stop worrying about his sons. How will they survive? On his deathbed, they make surprising responses to him: "I am not interested in grapes." "I don't want to work all day under the sun." "I want to live in the city." This father, asked as he is dying where the treasure is, says that he cannot remember. "Just keep digging and you shall find it." After he dies, the neighbors notice how vigorously the boys are digging: "Mr. Thompson would be really happy." This version is perhaps loose at its end. Peter says "Now I know. Treasure is everywhere." David responds: "Yes. If we work hard, we can always get it." "James: "So that's what father was trying to tell us." The boys may not have completely understood yet! "Work hard and good fortune will always follow."

2000 The Dog and His Shadow. Retold by Kang Yoon-Chung. Illustrated by Lee Woo-Bum. Dust-jacket. Paperbound. Seoul: The Aesop's Fables for Children 28: Tyranno English Program: Alific Language Plus. 6,800 Won from Alific Language Plus, Nov., '05.

I first saw a wall-full of this series at Kyobo Book in Seoul in July, '04. I bought one copy, came home, and worked to order the full set of thirty booklets, workbooks, and audio cassettes from the publisher. Each set cost 9,800 Won. I have divided that cost among the book (6800 Won), booklet (1000 Won), and cassette (2000 Won). The colored booklet features twenty-eight thick, sturdy pages and excellent color reproduction. The art is cartoon-like, simple, and direct. This version deals with a question often provoked by the story: "Does this dog steal his meat? If so, is he paying the price for his theft?" This hungry dog visits a party, and someone noticing his hunger throws him a piece of meat. The key illustration of the story, which also appears on the cover, comes on 16-17. This dog finds the reflected meat bigger than his own. He plans to jump in and have two pieces of meat. He realizes only well after he has jumped into the water that he has let go of his own piece of meat. The story takes a strange new turn when Ralph, suffering on the bank, sneezes and then realizes that, since the dog in the water also sneezed, he has been seeing his reflection. Pages 22-23 help portray that moment of insight. "If you are too greedy, you may even lose what you have."

2000 The Lion and the Deer. Retold by Kang Yoon-Chung. Illustrated by Lee Han-Joong. Dust-jacket. Paperbound. Seoul: The Aesop's Fables for Children 29: Tyranno English Program: Alific Language Plus. 6,800 Won from Alific Language Plus, Nov., '05.

I first saw a wall-full of this series at Kyobo Book in Seoul in July, '04. I bought one copy, came home, and worked to order the full set of thirty booklets, workbooks, and audio cassettes from the publisher. Each set cost 9,800 Won. I have divided that cost among the book (6800 Won), booklet (1000 Won), and cassette (2000 Won). The colored booklet features twenty-eight thick, sturdy pages and excellent color reproduction. The art is cartoon-like, simple, and direct. This version has several twists that are new to me. First, the deer seems to discover reflection in water for the first time in the story. So the shock of the beauty of her horns and of the ugliness of her legs is real. Secondly, a turtle comes upon her and tries to console her when he sees her crying. "Your legs aren't ugly. They're just a little thin" (12). The lion appears, and the chase is on. She is trapped by her horns in the woods. The lion is about to eat her when the deer entertains her last reflection. She understands now what the turtle was saying. "But it's no use now" (27). The story ends with the lion's answer: "Gulp!" "Do not judge things by their appearance."

2000 The Wolf and the Crane. Retold by Kang Yoon-Chung. Illustrated by Kim Bok-Tae. Dust-jacket. Paperbound. Seoul: The Aesop's Fables for Children 30: Tyranno English Program: Alific Language Plus. 6,800 Won from Alific Language Plus, Nov., '05.

I first saw a wall-full of this series at Kyobo Book in Seoul in July, '04. I bought one copy, came home, and worked to order the full set of thirty booklets, workbooks, and audio cassettes from the publisher. Each set cost 9,800 Won. I have divided that cost among the book (6800 Won), booklet (1000 Won), and cassette (2000 Won). The colored booklet features twenty-eight thick, sturdy pages and excellent color reproduction. The art is cartoon-like, simple, and direct. This version is quite standard and well told. Bok-Tae manages to create six illustrations in a row between 16 and 26 that have the wolf and crane relating to each other. The facial expressions of both animals are well done. This wolf has been asking every animal for help. He is so miserable that he tells the kind crane at first to go away. She does not give up. "Don't expect anything from an ungrateful person."

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