The Lion Book of Wisdom Stories
by David Self
Illustrated by Christina Balit
What a superb theme for an anthology! Stories, especially traditional stories, can be one of the subtlest and yet most powerful means of imparting wisdom.
There are stories here from many countries and diverse cultures. However, the re-tellings focus on expressing universal truths in comprehensible language, rather than on drawing out the individual flavour of each culture. The lesson of each tale is made explicit and unfamiliar words are explained throughout.
Morals include the importance of sharing, honesty and patience, and the benefits of kindness, acceptance and trust. A few are particularly pertinent to modern day situations, such as A Bowl of Milk, a metaphorical tale which shows how immigrants can mix with and enhance an existing community.
Visually, bold shapes and geometric borders combine with sandy tones and gold highlights to create a style reminiscent of mosaics or stained glass windows.
A collection for anyone wanting easy-to-read tales with overt moral messages.