Story by Ion Creanga
Adapted by Sabina I. Rascol
Illustrator Holly Berry
Folktales from foreign countries are useful tools in our quest to teach cultural sensitivity and respect. The Impudent Rooster is adapted from a tale popularized by the ‘Homer of Romania’. Twenty-eight pages hold a few sentences each and are dominated by colorful, bold illustrations complex enough to tempt readers back for repeated inspections. Rascol is fearless in employing the English language, and we benefit from her liberal use of powerful words. This story, like many folk stories, is a bit on the violent side for the youngest of listeners. The rooster is thrown into perilous settings repeatedly. But older kids will understand and enjoy the metaphorical dangers. Parents may even see a chance to teach about styles of government as the rooster takes from the greedy rich man to redistribute wealth through the benevolent poor man. Read-alouders will enjoy the humor, hyperbole, repetition and dramatic rise in the story. Wait until your kids pass toddlerhood, then buy this one to add to your vocabulary-building toolbox.

Big Words: