Reynard the Fox: Tales from the life of Reynard the Fox

by Renate Raecke (Retold by), Jonas Laustroer (Illustrator)

Overview

"A collection of folktales at their absolute best" (Elizabeth Bird, SLJ.com) about a legendary scoundrel, brought to new life through Renate Raecke's lively retelling and Jonas Lauströer's expressive illustrations.

Reynard the Fox has been a staple trickster character of European literature since at least the Middle Ages. The tales of his schemes have been told many times, and he always manages to win readers' sympathies. Reynard is a rascal, a ne'er-do-well. While we may suffer from his pranks, at the same time we smile at the shrewd thinking through which he escapes hopeless situations. In this expertly retold version, the classic tales of Reynard's exploits find a new life. They speak to us now as much as ever, for who among us doesn't know a Reynard-like figure in our lives?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781662650062
Publisher:	Astra Publishing House
Publication date:	10/06/2020
Pages:	80
Sales rank:	1,080,842
Product dimensions:	9.70(w) x 9.70(h) x 0.60(d)
Lexile:	930L (what's this?)
Age Range:	5 - 9 Years

About the Author

Renate Raecke was born in 1943 in Lübeck, Germany. She studied literature and art history before working for various publishers and book shops. For many years she's been a freelance editor and translator, adapting many classic children's stories, from such authors as the Grimm Brothers and E.T.A Hoffmann. Her work includes the retelling of Nutcrkacker & Mouseking and The Pied Piper of Hamelin for minedition.

Jonas Lauströer was born in Hamburg in 1979. He studied at the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, with a focus on illustration, and now lectures in 3D animation. He is the illustrator of minedition's The Elephant's Child and The Hare & the Hedgehog.

Editorial Reviews

Arresting, kinetic artwork by Jonas Lauströer….the Reynard that kindled the medieval imagination was no cuddly stuffed animal. Ms. Raecke sands down the edges of the violence, but she doesn’t dull Reynard’s wit….Children…growing up with lots of fairy and folk tales will see that Reynard fits right in with these traditions.” —Wall Street Journal

"Raecke cleverly weaves together a number of different Reynard stories to create a single overarching tale... Lauströer’s art often outdoes itself and the book has all the wonder and fear you’d want out of these tales. This is a collection of folktales at their absolute best. Because if you can’t be charmed by a fox in shirtsleeves, you don’t deserve to be charmed at all.” —Elizabeth Bird, Fuse #8 Production, SchoolLibraryJournal.com  

“Lauströer’s skill for visual storytelling shines through in masterful illustrations, which read as classical while remaining cleverly modern….A masterfully illustrated and true-to-character take on a classic." —Kirkus Reviews

“Reynard’s tales reflect the duality of every experience and demonstrate that a clever mind is often the most powerful weapon…..Lovers of classic tales and their often gruesome elements will thoroughly enjoy this take.” —School Library Journal 

“Breathtaking visuals make repeat visits likely." —Let's Talk Picture Books 

From the Publisher

09/01/2020

Gr 2–5—In this telling of a classic fable, Reynard the fox is summoned to the court during peacetime for his crimes against the other animals. The cunning fox has tricked and injured countless animals who tell their tale before the king. When Reynard finally appears to share his side of events, he once again outwits those he encounters. The afterword is where this story should begin, as it provides a fascinating history of the origin of the featured creatures, from the time of Aesop up until this modern German retelling. The text is definitely for more advanced and mature readers, as it is full of rich and difficult vocabulary and graphic violence, including beheadings and beatings. Some of the illustrations may also be frightening or disturbing to some readers; however, they are simultaneously striking and vivid depictions that fit the story well. While the animals crowd the court, telling of the horrific pain Reynard has inflicted on them, it is Reynard's version of events that offers an important lesson, as fables do. Reynard's tales reflect the duality of every experience and demonstrate that a clever mind is often the most powerful weapon. VERDICT While potentially upsetting to some readers, lovers of classic tales and their often gruesome elements will thoroughly enjoy this take.—Kaitlin Malixi, Kensington Health Sciences Academy, Philadelphia

School Library Journal

2020-07-14
Medieval literature’s Reynard, the roguish fox, makes a return to amuse young readers with his clever tricks in this fresh interpretation of a well-worn figure.

At the behest of the noble King Noble (a lion), all the animals gather at court to peacefully make their complaints and receive justice. One animal is absent: Reynard. Wolves and chickens alike lay their accusations against Reynard in his absence, and when summoned to the defense, he concocts new mischievous manipulations. Alternating between spreads of text that feature choice spot illustrations and lush, full-colored double-page spreads depicting Reynard’s crimes, the tales can be taken in bite-sized pieces but are ultimately woven into a satisfying overarching and cohesive book. Lauströer’s skill for visual storytelling shines through in masterful illustrations, which read as classical while remaining cleverly modern, with stroke economy in pen and gouache giving a sketchy—but not unfinished—feel. The illustrations match the pacing of the text, translated from Raecke’s German, which maintains a sense of the long history of Reynard’s escapades without seeming old-fashioned, so readers will enjoy a hint of the darkness found in old fairy tales in this character-driven fable. An afterword includes a history of the trickster fox in European literature, including the fascinating tidbit that the character’s name replaced the original French word for the animal. Endpapers feature charming studies of mice and birds, reinforcing the cleverly designed cover. (This book was reviewed digitally with 9.8-by-19.6-inch double-page spreads viewed at 100% of actual size.)

A masterfully illustrated and true-to-character take on a classic. (Picture book/folktales. 8-10)

Kirkus Reviews