Customer Reviews

Chanticleer and the Fox

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

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: [...]

I read this one today to preview it for my children. While I like the moral of the story, do not trust in flattery, it comes about in a disjointed way at the end of the book. I had to read the rooster, foxes, and woman's comments twice to be sure I was getting what each one said!

Throughout the book there are references to "all the rooster's hens," "his 7 wives" and so on. I find this inappropriate for a children's book. Including "when I see the beauty of your face...my fears die away" and "groan in his throat like a man troubled by his dreams." Too many references as though this rooster is really a man. It was just a weird book to me.

I will not be reading it to my children.

Neither my kids or I found this story very engaging. Just not interesting enough to keep anyone's attention for long. Pretty boring.

I like this book as much as the next reader but why isn't Chaucer's name even on the edition I bought.

I realize that it isn't anyones fault because the illustrations kind of do steal the show, like all books illustrated by Barbara Cooney, but I still think the author should have some recognition.(Also, why does Chanticleer have more than one wife).