(3) K-3 Illustrated by Joohee Yoon. Thurber's fable, first published in The New Yorker in 1956, describes the futility of war. A tiger decides that he is the king of beasts and so attacks the lion who fights back to defend his crown. Yoon's striking green-and-orange illustrations, with their large, heavy shapes and irregular compositions, express the confusion of war and the weight of the topic.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Marc Simont. This dark and delightful fable combines the ingredients of traditional tales--wicked duke, beautiful princess, noble prince in disguise--and comes up with a sublimely entertaining concoction. Thurber's sly humor and shameless use of puns and wordplay make the story a joy to read aloud. Simont's suitably mysterious illustrations add the perfect atmospheric touch. This reissue includes an introduction by Neil Gaiman.

Reviewer: Terri Schmitz