Characters:
· Genevieve- a careless girl
· Cyril- a very selfish squirrel
· Muriel- a discontent cow
· Gretchen- a greedy fish
· Chester- a lazy turkey
· Annette- a fibbing little monkey
· Caleb and Conrad- two brothers
Notes:
o Genevieve learns that “it pays to be careless,” p.13
o Cyril learns that being selfish can save your life p.19
o Muriel learns that the grass IS greener on the other side, and that it pays to be discontented p.27
o Gretchen learns that “it pays to be greedy,” p.35
o Chester learns that it “pays to be lazy,” as he is spared on Thanksgiving p. 43
o Annette learns that “it pays to know when to tell the truth,” when it suited her needs p. 53
o Caleb learns that it doesn’t always pay to be truthful p. 62

Subjects/topics/themes: morals, golden rule, virtues,

Related titles: Some Things are Scary: No Matter How Old You Are, Aesop’s Fables

Annotation: This is and interesting collection of anti-fables, which should be judged by the cover and title. You certainly don’t want children paying any attention to the lessons in the stories told. However, the underlying value of thinking independently is valid, and as the book illustrates, sometimes in one’s best interest.