A collection of animal fables told by the Greek slave Aesop.

For more than two thousand years, the fables of Aesop have been enjoyed by children and adults alike, celebrated not just for their simple but powerful moral teachings, but also for the pithy wit of their expression. The number of characters and tales we owe to Aesop is countless, from “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” to “The Tortoise and the Hare.” This small-format gift edition brings together some of Aesop’s most popular and enduring fables—among them “The Fox and the Crow,” “The Goose that Laid the Golden Eggs,” and “The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing”—as well as some lesser-known tales, with classic illustrations by Victorian master Arthur Rackham. Rackham’s lush images capture Aesop’s vivid scenes and highlight the power of his quick characterizations; the resulting volume is a treat for fans of Victorian illustration and Aesop alike, sure to charm a new generation of readers young and old.

Between these covers, teller and tales finally meet in a warm and joyful new collection that will bring delight to the hearts of readers the world over: James Herriot's Cat Stories. Here are Buster, the kitten who arrived on Christmas; Alfred, the cat at the sweet shop; little Emily, who lived with the gentleman tramp; and Olly and Ginny, the kittens who charmed readers when they first appeared at the Herriots' house in the worldwide bestseller Every Living Thing. And along with these come others, each story as memorable and heartwarming as the last, each told with that magical blend of gentle wit and human compassion that marks every word from James Herriot's pen.

The Emperor has a problem. He wants his people to remember the year in which his son was born. But there is no way to keep track of the years. So the Emperor devises a race in which animals will cross a river. The first twelve animals to reach the opposite side will have a year named after them. Thus, the people will be able to remember the years and the events that occurred. And so the race is set. Rat, knowing he is no match for the rushing water, schemes with Cat on how to cross the river. Together the two convince Ox to carry them across. But halfway across the river, Rat shows his true colors. Will Cat make it to the other side? Which animals will have a year named after them? Accompanied by exquisite watercolor artwork, this charming story explains the origins of the Chinese calendar.

In this simple retelling of the classic Aesop's fable, the poor mice live in constant fear of the sneaky cat. The cat is so quiet, the mice can never hear her approach. How will the mice solve their cat problem?

The tiny kitten sat alone in a window with a small sign that read "Looking for home. Will work for food." Finally, a nice couple gently picked her up and took her to live with them in their New York City apartment/photographer's studio. And, indeed, work for food she has. Happy Birthday, the Cat is a charming collection of illustrated tales by Birthday the cat. She tells about her adoption on her new owner's birthday, her trips to Central Park and Vermont, and her many photo shoots with other animals, such as parrots, ducks, and turtles. Throughout her stories of high adventure, the authors (and Birthday's owners), Don and Noriko Carroll, have lavishly illustrated the book with photos of their beloved cat. The combination makes for a compelling tale as told from the feline point of view. In picture after picture - Birthday drenched with water during her first bath, Birthday running from a mischievous parrot, Birthday with her beloved rolly ball held firmly in her mouth - the little cat entertains and delights with her sweet expressions and precious narrative. It's a book that's guaranteed to be a best-seller with cat lovers everywhere.