Reynard, the Fox

This fox is a charmer. His honeyed tongue has delivered him from many a sticky situation, and his smiling duplicity has tricked many a plump young creature into his jaws. But he is about to get his comeuppance. Ideal for reading aloud, Hastings's intelligent text tells of the Lion King's attempts to bring Reynard to justice. An assortment of animals, elegant in their human finery, parade across the pages hoping for their enemy's downfall. Reynard, however, seems able to thwart them at every turn. Percy's illustrations--with their predominant muted rusts, browns and reds--are perfectly in keeping with the narrative's regal overtones. However, their softness is somewhat at odds with the often gory details of Reynard's ruthlessness--which may be a good thing. And for all the book's beauty and admirable use of language, there is a great deal of biting off of heads, which parents, if not children, may find distressing. Ages 6-up. (May)