Frederick and His Friends: Four Favorite Fables (Treasured Gifts for the Holidays)

When the late author and illustrator Leo Lionni was young, he answered the question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" with a thoroughly unique reply: "The bell of the trolley car." He continued taking the nontraditional approach to life, writing his first children's book at age 50. He went on to write dozens more books, four of which appear in their complete original form in this lovely treasury, with a special tribute by Eric Carle. The collection includes the enduring, endearing favorites Frederick, Fish Is Fish, Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse, and Swimmy, all with Lionni's playful watercolors and bold paper cutouts, three of which were named Caldecott Honor Books. To have a sampling of four Lionni's enchanting creations together in one book is truly a gift--you'll be as happy as we are that he didn't pursue the trolley-bell thing. A companion compact disc features a lively recording of each story. (Ages 4 to 8)