Here are five of the best-loved fables of La Fontaine simply retold and sumptuously illustrated by Brian Wildsmith, an internationally acclaimed picture-book writer and artist. We meet a boastful hare as he challenges a slow-and-steady tortoise to a race. We see how a bag of coins threatens to rob a simple shoemaker of his happiness. We discover that the Sun"s gentle warmth is more than a match for the North Wind"s bluster. We join a miller, a boy, and a donkey on their eventful journey. And we witness a little rat"s kindness and courage in helping a mighty lion. These are lovely stories for adults to share with children over and over again.