The Fox Tale (Fukuinkan Classic Fairy Tale Series)

This latest addition to the classic fairy tale series, following "A Little Princess" (published in 2011), is a masterpiece of animal epic poetry. Created in medieval France, "The Fox's Tale" is a collection of stories about the wicked red-haired fox Renard, who uses all his wits to negotiate with forest animals and rural people, and who plots wild schemes at the court of King Noble the Lion. It later spread to many countries and became the inspiration for Goethe's "Reineke the Fox." It also appears in Joseph Lada's "The Fox's Tale" as a story read by a forest ranger to his son. In this Japanese edition, you can enjoy Renard's thrilling exploits and abhorrent failures with an easy-to-read, lively translation by Yuriko Yamawaki and 71 illustrations by L. Chauveau, known for "The Old Crocodile's Tale" (his unique brushwork, known as "black and white magic," is captivating!). At the end of the book, there are three interesting commentaries and essays, which are also must-reads!