Frederick and his friends: four favorite fables

by Leo Lionni

Here in one sumptuous collection are four timeless picture book classics by Leo Lionni: Frederick, Swimmy, Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse, and Fish Is Fish. In this volume, meet Frederick, the poet field mouse whose happy memories help his family endure through the darkest days of winter; Swimmy, the imaginative minnow who uses his small size in a big way; Alexander, the mouse who learns the magic of friendship; and a fish who discovers that life in a small pond isn’t so bad after all.
An introduction by Eric Carle discusses Lionni’s great contribution to children’s literature. Lionni’s complete texts and illustrations are included along with a CD reading in this elegant, inviting gift edition.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals

4 pages, Audio Cassette

First published May 6, 1989

About the author

Leo Lionni wrote and illustrated more than 40 highly acclaimed children's books. He received the 1984 American Institute of Graphic Arts Gold Medal and was a four-time Caldecott Honor Winner--for Inch by Inch, Frederick, Swimmy, and Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse. Leo Lionni died in October of 1999 at his home in Tuscany, Italy, at the age of 89.

Leo Lionni has gained international renown for his paintings, graphic designs, illustrations, and sculpture, as well as for his books for children. He was born in Holland in 1910 of Dutch parents, and although his education did not include formal art courses (in fact, he has a doctorate in economics from the University of Genoa), he spent much of his free time as a child in Amsterdam's museums, teaching himself to draw.

Lionni's business training gradually receded into the background as his interest in art and design grew. Having settled in Milan soon after his marriage in 1931, he started off by writing about European architecture for a local magazine. It was there that he met the contacts who were to give him a start as a professional graphic designer. When he moved to America in 1939, Lionni was hired by a Philadelphia advertising agency as art director. Later he became design director for the Olivetti Corporation of America, and then art director for Fortune magazine. At the same time, his reputation as an artist flourished as he began to exhibit his paintings and drawings in galleries from New York to Japan.

Lionni launched his career as an author/illustrator of books for children in 1959. Originally developed from a story he had improvised for his grandchildren during a dull train ride, Little Blue and Little Yellow was the first of what is now a long list of children's picture books, including four Caldecott Honor Books.

Reviews

[Jakob Free · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very nice anthology of Lionni fables. If you like Lionni's work, this is a great addition to your library, and if you are new to Lionni, this is a great introduction to his fables. I appreciate that the layouts were true to the original book layouts (which is not always the case with picture book anthologies) and that the format upgrades (glossy paper and color enhancement) did enhance the work and not detract from it. The CD is also a bonus.

[Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four classic Caldecot honor books (Frederick, Swimmy, Fish is Fish, and Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse), each captivating and unique by visionary artist Leo Lionni with a note in his honor by Eric Carle.

[Farrah · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute. I love the first story "Frederick" where the mouse stores sunshine, colors, and words for everyone to enjoy when winter comes.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite children's books of all time. During this time of coronavirus social distancing, we could all use a Frederick in our lives.

[Mckinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

1 is great, 2 ok and the other I did like so much.
A couple are Caldecott honors.