Fables de la Fontaine

Abstract

This is a large-format (10½ x 7¾) children's reader and picture-book of some 36 pages. It has experienced significant wear as a library book; it has a standard library hard-cover. It offers one or two lively, colorful, expressive illustrations for each of its twelve fables: GA, Le Coche et la Mouche, LM, AD, FC, WL, TH, Le Héron, Le Lion et le Moucheron, MM, TT, and TMCM. Some of the best of these show the frozen blue cicada on its back (7) and the huge rich wolf pitted against the simple lamb (17). The second picture for WL deals beautifully in shadow, with a drop of blood running from the wolf's mouth (18). A very pretty milkmaid looks upward while she is still balancing the pail on her head (30). The book is stamped Retiré de la Collection de la Bibliothèque de la Ville de Montréal. I am delighted to have the book in its retirement.