Chanticleer and the Fox (Paperback)

~ Geoffrey Chaucer (Author), (Illustrator) "Once upon a time a poor widow, getting on in years, lived in a small cottage beside a grove which stood in a little valley..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

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

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 44 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; First Harper Trophy edition edition (November 1, 1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064430871
• ISBN-13: 978-0064430876
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.3 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #332,747 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 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

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.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	S. Coburn "chanticleer62" (Winter Park, FL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Chanticleer And The Fox (School & Library Binding)

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.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	E. R. Bird "Ramseelbird" (Manhattan, NY) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Chanticleer and the Fox (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.