Chanticleer and the Fox [Paperback]

Geoffrey Chaucer (Author), Barbara Cooney (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: November 1, 1982 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years | Lexile Measure: 840L (What's this?)

King of the barnyard, Chanticleer struts about all day. When a fox bursts into his domain, dupes him into crowing, and then grabs him in a viselike grip, Chanticleer must do some quick thinking to save himself and his barnyard kingdom.

Winner, 1959 Caldecott Medal
Notable Children's Books of 1940–1970 (ALA)
Winner, 1992 Kerlan Award

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Barbara Cooney is one of the most well-loved authors and illustrators of children's books today. She has won many awards for her books, including the American Book Award and two Caldecott Medals for Illustration. Ms. Cooney lives in Damariscotta, Maine.

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Paperback: 44 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; First Harper Trophy edition edition (November 1, 1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064430871
• ISBN-13: 978-0064430876
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #112,199 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #82 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Foxes & Wolves

More About the Author

Barbara Cooney and her twin brother were born on August 6, 1917 in Brooklyn, New York to Russell Schenck Cooney and Mae Evelyn Bossert. Because her father was a stockbroker, her family lived in suburbia, which Barbara disliked.
Cooney attended a boarding school as a child. Never considering an art school and wanting a liberal arts education, she later attended Smith College where she studied art history and received her degree in 1938, a decision she was later to regret.
Realizing that she needed to make a living at something, she decided that illustrating books was a career as good as any. She attended classes on etching and lithography at the Art Students League in New York City.
She quickly received assignments after getting a portfolio together and schlepping it around to publishers, but, unfortunately, World War II postponed her new career for a bit. Recalling an earlier trip to Germany prior to the war and the horrors that she had seen there, she was compelled to join the Women's Army Corps during the summer of 1942.
She enrolled in officer training and achieved the rank of second lieutenant, but was honorably discharged the following spring because of marriage and the pregnancy of her first child, Gretel. She married Guy Murchie, Jr., a war correspondent, in December of 1944. In 1945, the young couple bought a farm in Pepperell, Massachusetts where they ran a children's camp during the summer months. One can only imagine that, perhaps, family life didn't suit Mr. Murchie and the couple divorced in March of 1947, but not before having one more child, Barnaby.
With a young family to support, Cooney resumed her career in book illustration. She married Charles Talbot Porter, a physician, on July 16, 1949, and the couple had two more children, Charles Talbot Jr. and Phoebe Ann.
By this time, Cooney was illustrating several books a year and even wrote one herself now and then. In fact, it was for her adaptation of Chaucer's The Nun Priest's Tale that she won the prestigious Caldecott Medal in 1959.
Cooney was a stickler for details and traveled extensively to support her research. A visit to Mexico was required to study at the art and anthropological museums there. A visit to Finland was in order to meet with artist, writers and folklorists there.
Cooney died on 14 March, 2000 at the age of 83. Her last book was Basket Moon published in September of 1999
In the later part of her career Cooney focused on writing and illustrating more books of her own, and these were equally well--received. Miss Rumphius, for which the author won both the American Book Award and a New York Times citation in 1982, was inspired by the true story of a woman who traveled the world collecting flower seeds and came home at last to make something beautiful. Her most recent books include Hattie and the Wild Waves.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Great addition to children's literature collection April 24, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I have been looking for Newberry and Caldecott Award books for my 4 children and was happy to find this Caldecott Medal book from 1959. I love Barbara Cooney's "Miss Rumphius", and this adaptation of the Nun's Priest's Tale from Geoffrey Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales" was a delightful way to introduce my children to some classic literature. My girls got a glimpse of medieval times from the story and the illustrations, and I loved the simple way Barbara Cooney brought out the industry and economy of the poor widow as she takes care of her children, livestock and house. The pictures are precise and brilliant, but not overpowering. The description of Chanticleer elevates him from an ordinary rooster to a work of art. The story has the virtue of pointing out the folly of listening to flattery as well as the value of quick thinking on Chanticleer's part in a perilous situation. I didn't like the reference to trusting in dreams (nightmares), but felt I could incorporate it into a teaching point as I read it to my children. All in all, I am glad to add it to our collection.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Chaucer's Tale Beautifully Told April 12, 2003

By S. Coburn

Format:School & Library Binding|Amazon Verified Purchase

Chanticleer and the Fox, an adaptation of the Nun's Priest's Tale, is a simple and delightful tale with a moral (or three) at the end. Chanticleer and the other characters learn about the dangers of failing to be watchful, talking when one should be silent, and trusting in flattery. Barbara Cooney's illustrations are simple and warm, yet she gives a glimpse of what life might have looked like for a family in the Middle Ages. The book is suitable for an early reader or for reading aloud to younger children, although older children and adults would enjoy it as well. If you want more Chaucer for older children, without the rhyme or Middle English, you might want to try The Canterbury Tales, Retold by Geraldine McCaughrean, Illustrated by Victor G. Ambrus. Some material in that book, however, might need some parental guidance for younger readers. Chanticleer and the Fox is appropriate for children of all ages.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The crowing Chanticleer sings April 10, 2004

By E. R. Bird HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Hardcover

Who would have thought that a Canterbury Tale would prove appropriate for children? Illustrator Barbara Cooney has adapted the "Nun's Priest's Tale" to picture book format, turning it into a tale that warns against flattery. I'm just glad she didn't think of adapting "The Wife of Bath" tale. Thank goodness for small favors, eh?

In this story a widow and her two daughters live by themselves in the countryside. The focus of the story rests squarely on their cocky (ha ha) rooster Chanticleer. A bird with a harem (the book flaps description, not mine) of seven hens, Chanticleer has a fairly restive life. One day, however, a sly fox comes with flattering words and tricks poor Chanticleer into closing his eyes. It is only through the rooster's quick thinking that he is able to escape the fox and get away.

I've never read the original tale, so I'm not certain how this story adds up against it. Needless to say, I found it a funny amalgamation of several Aesop stories. Flattery was always utilized by Aesop in ways similar to this tale. In fact, Chanticleer's escape from the fox is nothing so much as an alternate version of the old story about the fox and the crow with a hunk of cheese. Cooney's illustrations do much to help this tale along. Using gorgeous pen and ink drawings and selective sections of color, this books at times looks like nothing so much as a collection of cheery Edward Gorey prints. The tale is quick and clean and I imagine many children will be fond it this particular retelling. All in all, an enjoyable book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Clasic Book! January 6, 2013

By Eliizabeth

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Imagine a wonderful, timeless fairytale to read to your youngster. Chanticleer and the Fox written by Jeffrey Chaucer is a great story with a fantastic moral.

5.0 out of 5 stars Meshes nicely with our study of the Middle Ages November 20, 2012

By Soloporfe

Format:Hardcover

We found that this book fit in perfectly with our homeschool study of the Middle Ages through Tapestry of Grace, Year 2 (lower grammar level). We loved the beautiful illustrations. I especially appreciated that, although the animals were given human characteristics to drive home the point, they were still faithful representations of their species. The rooster had a brood of hens, within which there was a pecking order. The fox hunted the chickens. We were glad to stumble upon this in our library!

5.0 out of 5 stars Must have. May 20, 2012

By Michelle

Format:Paperback

This book is a must have for your childrens home library! My son who is five has been enjoying this book for several years. The pictures are lovely and the rhythm of the story is very engaging. This book is fun to read aloud. I read it softly in some parts and with loud enthusiasm in others. My son is fully enthralled through out the whole story, no matter how often I read it to him.

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Book to Introduce Your Child to Chaucer January 27, 2012

By Bethany

Format:Paperback

This adaption of the Nun's Priest's Tale by Chaucer is an excellent picture book to introduce your children to Canterbury Tales. Barbara Cooney won a Caldecott Award for her illustrations that beautifully reflect medieval art. In my opinion, the negative reviews of this book do not take into account that this book is an adaption of an older classic piece of literature.

One criticism: I think that a more modern translation of Chaucer would help this book be more understandable for small children. I would rate the book as for 4 and older not 2 and older.

Despite the older translation, my child (age 3) loves this book and asks to have it read frequently to him.

I have a full review with photos and a complete summary at: [...]