*Simon and the Better Bone by Corey R. Tabor

Simon is a friendly, curious, naive little dog who re-enacts Aesop’s tale of the dog and the bone and adds his own flair.

*Simon and the Better Bone written and illustrated by Corey R. Tabor, Publication Information. Page count.

• Reading Level: Picture books, Ages 0-4, Ages 4-8
• Recommended For: Ages 4-6

Look at the cover. The wagging tale, the surprise lines over the puppy’s head, the bone in his mouth are all hints. Simon is a friendly, curious, naive little dog who is about to re-enact Aesop’s tale of the dog and the bone.

Aesop covers his version it in a few lines with a moral. Tabor makes the dog a sympathetic and humorous character who wants the other dog’s bone, but of course loses his own in the process. The story could wrap up there, but Tabor adds a friendly twist and observant readers will find that Simon’s adventures with the “other dog” are just beginning.

This delightful book is designed in the same unusual format as Mel Fell and is reminiscent of Kevin Henkes’s Caldecott award winning Kitten’s First Full Moon. Also, Mel (the bluebird) makes an appearance. I look forward to seeing more from Tabor’s sweet world of picture books that are perfect for this storytime age.

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5

Remember, unless a book is starred, a review is not necessarily a recommendation. Read more about our ratings here.

Recommended Reading at Redeemed Reader

• Book Review: Corey Tabor has won a Caldecott honor for Mel Fell and Geisel awards for Fox at Night and Fox Has a Problem. He knows how to write books that appeal to children.
• Resource: What makes a really great picture book? Gladys Hunt can advise you.
• Book Review: Jerry Pinkney has illustrated some classic Aesop’s fables, too. Betsy has reviewed The Tortoise and the Hare, The Lion and the Mouse, and The Grasshopper and the Ants.

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