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Chanticleer and the Fox
Adapted from The Canterbury Tales
One of the most delightful fables in our heritage is the story of the proud cock and the witty fox who flattered him. Chaucer told the story with vigorous rhythm and singing words; Barbara Cooney has adapted it for chidlren and illustrated it with pictures as handsome as a medieval herbal.
Chanticleer was a merry rooster, "His comb was redder than fine coral and turreted like a castle wall, his bill was black and shone like jet, and his feathers were like burnished gold." He had seven hens, the fairest of which was Partlet.
It was a great joy to hear them sing together. But one night a sorrowful event overtook them. A fox, tipped with black, and full of sly wickedness, burst through the hedge into the yard where Chanticleer and his wives were in the habit of going. The fox was clever, but he met his match in the rooster.
Barbara Cooney's pictures are the most beautiful this gifted artist has ever drawn. Richness of color, strength of line and an abundance of color detail will attract children to them time after time and bring new delight to each reading.
One of the most delightful fables in our heritage is the story of the proud cock and the witty fox who flattered him. Chaucer told the story with vigorous rhythm and singing words; Barbara Cooney has adapted it for chidlren and illustrated it with pictures as handsome as a medieval herbal.
Chanticleer was a merry rooster, "His comb was redder than fine coral and turreted like a castle wall, his bill was black and shone like jet, and his feathers were like burnished gold." He had seven hens, the fairest of which was Partlet.
It was a great joy to hear them sing together. But one night a sorrowful event overtook them. A fox, tipped with black, and full of sly wickedness, burst through the hedge into the yard where Chanticleer and his wives were in the habit of going. The fox was clever, but he met his match in the rooster.
Barbara Cooney's pictures are the most beautiful this gifted artist has ever drawn. Richness of color, strength of line and an abundance of color detail will attract children to them time after time and bring new delight to each reading.
44 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1958
24 people are currently reading
1663 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Cooney
132books233followersBarbara Cooney was an American writer and illustrator of 110 children's books, published over sixty years. She received two Caldecott Medals for her work on Chanticleer and the Fox and Ox-Cart Man, and a National Book Award for Miss Rumphius. Her books have been translated into 10 languages.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 306 reviews
August 13, 2018
I enjoyed this tale. I also enjoyed the Canterbury Tales in school and this is adapted from Nun's Priests Tale. For once the fox is outsmarted by someone else. How about them apples. Chanticleer is a beautiful rooster. I think the page with detail of him is really beautiful. I can't say I'm a huge fan of roosters, but it makes for a good tale.
The artwork here reminds me of Sleeping Beauty and that time period.
I did read this to the kids and they thought it was good too. They gave it 4 stars. The nephew still enjoys talking animal stories.
The artwork here reminds me of Sleeping Beauty and that time period.
I did read this to the kids and they thought it was good too. They gave it 4 stars. The nephew still enjoys talking animal stories.
October 24, 2013
I find it interesting that so many of the comments on this book were about the vocabulary being too big (azure, sow, debonair) and the story being too long to hold the attention of small children. I think this speaks to the fact that in our rush to get children to read chapter books, we stop reading them picture books by the time they are 6 or 7. That wasn't true when this book was printed (1959). Even after kids learned to read, parent and teachers continued to read picture books to kids. And the wonderful thing about picture books is that because it's expected that they'll be read aloud, the vocabulary IS bigger (and thank goodness, because mama needs something to keep her interest and to stay awake!).
Logan is 9 and enjoyed this re-telling of the Nun Priest's Tale from Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, in which a vain rooster gives in to the flattery of a fox and thereby nearly loses his life. The text retains some medieval flavor without sounding too stilted and if you like Barbara Cooney, as I do, prepare to be surprised by her illustrations, which are so different and yet just as wonderful as her usual style. She studied medieval illuminated manuscripts for this project and married their style to her own to produce pictures that evoke the time, but have more movement and emotion. Done in a limited color palette, some resemble woodcuts.
Logan is 9 and enjoyed this re-telling of the Nun Priest's Tale from Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, in which a vain rooster gives in to the flattery of a fox and thereby nearly loses his life. The text retains some medieval flavor without sounding too stilted and if you like Barbara Cooney, as I do, prepare to be surprised by her illustrations, which are so different and yet just as wonderful as her usual style. She studied medieval illuminated manuscripts for this project and married their style to her own to produce pictures that evoke the time, but have more movement and emotion. Done in a limited color palette, some resemble woodcuts.
March 9, 2019
Another Caldecott winner. This one based on one of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. It's been so long I don't remember the original tale. The illustrations are charming if not too detailed. The story of this proud rooster didn't do much for me. I didn't particularly care what happened to Chanticleer, the gorgeous, proud rooster 🐔 with 7 wives 🙄, although I do like stories about outsmarting foxes. 🐺 We did get to practice some new words though - azure, sow, grove. I enjoyed reading it a bit more than the 7 year old. He plodded through it.
January 1, 2015
I enjoyed "Chanticleer" though I'm not sure it will be especially memorable for me. I'm already a Barbara Cooney fan and I thought her illustrations were great--a delightful blend of bold and realistic with a touch of softness and charm. One of my favorite illustrations includes the daughter hugging the sheep--so sweet! I haven't read the original, so I can't compare, but felt that the adaptation was fairly readable and relatable for modern children but also retained a bit of it's old world flavor.
June 22, 2012
Alas, my Wednesday Night Working with Celeste on the Kids Floor will be moved to Thursdays, until further notice.
I don't know what other books were competing for the Caldecot for 1958, but this book is really charming.
I like the bold graphics and simple colors, but the detail and clean lines were beautiful.
A cute Aesop-ish tale, taken and adapted from the Canterbury Tales. The story itself is deeper than many picture books today. I liked that it actually had difficult vocabulary words as it's never too early to start building a robust vocabulary for your children.
I don't know what other books were competing for the Caldecot for 1958, but this book is really charming.
I like the bold graphics and simple colors, but the detail and clean lines were beautiful.
A cute Aesop-ish tale, taken and adapted from the Canterbury Tales. The story itself is deeper than many picture books today. I liked that it actually had difficult vocabulary words as it's never too early to start building a robust vocabulary for your children.
July 9, 2015
My 6 year old son, Daniel, says, "I loved all the animals! 5 stars!".
June 28, 2019
A fable about the dangers of flattery.
January 25, 2018
Not my favorite Caldecott. It's language is quite difficult so if you are reading this to younger children you may need to change the words to ones they can understand. If I were going to use this in a classroom I would use it in older grades. Possibly 5th grade and up. When I taught 7th and 8th grade Literature, I often used picture book to help simplify teaching more difficult literary elements. The pictures are old world style and are different than many other books I have read. 3 stars.
January 1, 2010
The illustrations in this book are beautiful! It definitely deserved the Caldecott Medal. The pictures fit the story so well, and I love the style and the bright colors.
It would never have occurred to me to adapt Chaucer into a children's book. Although my three-year-old son didn't find the story terribly interesting (except for the naughty fox), it was a nice change of pace for me.
It would never have occurred to me to adapt Chaucer into a children's book. Although my three-year-old son didn't find the story terribly interesting (except for the naughty fox), it was a nice change of pace for me.
March 21, 2025
Okay, I know I said I wanted Margaret Hodges and Trina Schart Hyman to retell every work of Old/Middle English literature for children, but I'm adding Barbara Cooney. I can tell she immersed herself in medieval art before illustrating this book, but she doesn't lose her trademark style. The fences! The smocking in the widow's apron! It's like medieval art, but by an artist who can draw animals. Incredible. I love that some archaisms were kept in the animals' dialogue. Cooney based her text on Robert Mayer Lumiansky's translation of Chaucer's Nun's Priest's tale.
I imagine Chanticleer's harem might take some 'splainin' to children unfamiliar with the care and keeping of chickens.
I imagine Chanticleer's harem might take some 'splainin' to children unfamiliar with the care and keeping of chickens.
September 3, 2019
—�-Caldecott Winner: 1959—�
We enjoyed this story about the rooster who was persuaded to sing when the fox slyly complements his singing ability. I love this wisdom this book provides. This was a little over the head of my kindergartener but it was perfect for my fifth grader! So, I’ll read it again to my kindergartener when he is in fifth grade!
We enjoyed this story about the rooster who was persuaded to sing when the fox slyly complements his singing ability. I love this wisdom this book provides. This was a little over the head of my kindergartener but it was perfect for my fifth grader! So, I’ll read it again to my kindergartener when he is in fifth grade!
February 24, 2022
1959 Caldecott Winner
I’m just glad that kids today have more interesting tales than this lol
I’m just glad that kids today have more interesting tales than this lol
November 13, 2023
A Caldecott Medal book adapted from the Canterbury Tales. Per world history .org, the. Canterbury Tales are “among the most important works of medieval literature for many reasons besides its poetic power and entertainment value, notably its depiction of the different social classes of the 14th century CE as well as clothing worn, pastimes enjoyed, and language.�
Maybe it’s because the story is a retelling from medieval literature, but even as an adult re-reading this children’s book, I’m unable to connect to the story or the lesson it intends to share. I find some of the details of the story odd - was it necessary to highlight the cock had seven chicken wives? I did enjoy the artwork and wonder what children, at the time, thought of this story.
Maybe it’s because the story is a retelling from medieval literature, but even as an adult re-reading this children’s book, I’m unable to connect to the story or the lesson it intends to share. I find some of the details of the story odd - was it necessary to highlight the cock had seven chicken wives? I did enjoy the artwork and wonder what children, at the time, thought of this story.
December 12, 2020
The illustrations are medieval and unique. The story is from the Canterbury Tales by Chaucer. Very quirky story, very much recommend.
October 21, 2016
Book summary: This is a book about a widow and her two daughters who live on a small farm with one sheep, three cows, three pigs, a rooster named Chanticleer and had seven hens by his side. This is an award winning book about how the rooster had a bad dream that a fox would grab him by the neck. Then one day he sees a fox who approaches him and just explains that he wants to hear him sing like his father. with his neck strectched out and his eyes closed. When the rooster did this the fox grabbed him by his neck and took off. All on the farm followed to get the rooster back. Soon enough the rooster was able to fly away from the fox's grasp and was back home. The lesson was to not trust people and always be alert.
Grade level: 1-4
Appropriate classroom use: This could be used as an example when explaining to kids about stranger danger and being aware of their surroundings.
Indv. students who might benefit: Students who could benefit from hearing a story about being aware of surroundings and to question people before just doing what they tell you to do. To use your own judgement.
Small group use: Students could get into small groups and write down what they think the moral of the story is, what lesson did they learn and see what the kids come up with.
Whole class use: This would be used as a carpet read, especially for the younger kids because this might have challenging words and be a little more advanced to read. But, kids can learn new words and recognize/sound out the words that they do not know.
Related books: More books by Barbara Cooney, other picture fiction books, or other caldecott medal winners. This book was awarded the medal in 1959.
Multimedia connections: Just hardback or paperback is available.
Grade level: 1-4
Appropriate classroom use: This could be used as an example when explaining to kids about stranger danger and being aware of their surroundings.
Indv. students who might benefit: Students who could benefit from hearing a story about being aware of surroundings and to question people before just doing what they tell you to do. To use your own judgement.
Small group use: Students could get into small groups and write down what they think the moral of the story is, what lesson did they learn and see what the kids come up with.
Whole class use: This would be used as a carpet read, especially for the younger kids because this might have challenging words and be a little more advanced to read. But, kids can learn new words and recognize/sound out the words that they do not know.
Related books: More books by Barbara Cooney, other picture fiction books, or other caldecott medal winners. This book was awarded the medal in 1959.
Multimedia connections: Just hardback or paperback is available.
December 2, 2016
Canticleer and The Fox is a book about a proud rooster names Chanticleer who has a very beautiful voice and because of this is kidnapped by a Fox. The lesson behind this story is clearly stated towards the end of the book stating, “God bring misfortune to him who is too careless about his self- control as to prattle when he should hold his peace.� After reading this book I wasn’t very overjoyed about its storyline or conclusion. It was anticlimactic and ended abruptly. Many books today have unexpected insights into new perspectives or life lessons while this one is very blunt and the whole purpose of the book is clearly stated at the end. I personal prefer book that have an underlying message rather than an obvious one. The illustrations in this book are vibrantly colored at happy parts making in appealing to the eye but are draws in black, white and red during the darker scenes portraying danger and evil. The images also aren’t super detailed so readers couldn’t understand the plot without reading the text. The literature is definitely the main focus and the illustrations are there to aid the words forward. Lastly, there are multiple biblical references and there is a polygamy relationship between the rooster and his wives which may be interesting if you are reading to younger children. Overall I wouldn’t recommend this book but if you were going to read it you could focus it around the lesson of not letting your vanity get in the way of rational decision making.
November 7, 2009
This re-telling of one of Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, brilliantly adapted and illustrated by Barbara Cooney, has within it the makings of a wonderful read-aloud experience for both child and adult. Cooney gives us Chaucer’s tale of Chanticleer, the vain (and prophetic) rooster captured by a fox due to his egotism, only to find he is later able to escape by playing to the fox’s own sense of self-importance. As Chanticleer has learned his lesson, he is unable to be persuaded by the fox to again fall for another trick of flattery, and thus he remains safe from harm.
Cooney’s rhythmic language captures that of another place and time, while remaining eminently readable. The perceptive illustrations offer a captivating look at life in the Middle Ages, and Cooney’s use of color is exquisite. This book is as marvelous to look at as it is to read. There is no need to have any knowledge of Chaucer to enjoy this morality tale, and while the language can be complex, the essence of the story is one that can be understood even by younger children. (ages 6-12)
Cooney’s rhythmic language captures that of another place and time, while remaining eminently readable. The perceptive illustrations offer a captivating look at life in the Middle Ages, and Cooney’s use of color is exquisite. This book is as marvelous to look at as it is to read. There is no need to have any knowledge of Chaucer to enjoy this morality tale, and while the language can be complex, the essence of the story is one that can be understood even by younger children. (ages 6-12)
December 9, 2014
Chanticleer and the fox by Cooney Barbara
Genre: picture book Reading level: 1-6 grade Format: good
Reading the picture book Chanticleer And The Fox by Geoffrey Chaucer and illustrated by Barbara Cooney I came to realize that when the characters felt sad, scared, or out of place the picture illustrations had no color and where just black and white. But when the characters where happy the picture illustrations had color demonstrating the characters mood. Having the picture illustrations shown in this way gives the reader a better understanding in how the character actually feels and engages the reader to feel like they are the character because the colors show the characters mood. I feel like this picture book can be used to share with students in a classroom because the way the fox graves Chanticleer the roosters attentions excitants and makes the reader want to keep reading to know what is going to happen to the rooster. If the rooster is going to be set free by the fox or if the fox is going to eat him.
Genre: picture book Reading level: 1-6 grade Format: good
Reading the picture book Chanticleer And The Fox by Geoffrey Chaucer and illustrated by Barbara Cooney I came to realize that when the characters felt sad, scared, or out of place the picture illustrations had no color and where just black and white. But when the characters where happy the picture illustrations had color demonstrating the characters mood. Having the picture illustrations shown in this way gives the reader a better understanding in how the character actually feels and engages the reader to feel like they are the character because the colors show the characters mood. I feel like this picture book can be used to share with students in a classroom because the way the fox graves Chanticleer the roosters attentions excitants and makes the reader want to keep reading to know what is going to happen to the rooster. If the rooster is going to be set free by the fox or if the fox is going to eat him.
August 22, 2011
1959 Caldecott Medal Winner
Very cool medieval-style illustrations in this one. It says on one of the cover flaps that the illustrator studied illuminated manuscripts and borrowed some chickens in order to make these pictures. Nice! I'm still not sure how the illustrators make those solid colors--this one uses mostly blue, red, green, gold, and brown for the fox. The colors all look so solid that I'm not sure how they're done. I think the black is ink, though.
Pretty simple story lifted from Chaucer--Chanticleer the rooster gets caught by a flattering fox when he stops to sing for him. He learns his lesson and lives to tell about it. Love the scene with the widow and her daughters chasing after the fox with all of the other animals close behind.
Very cool medieval-style illustrations in this one. It says on one of the cover flaps that the illustrator studied illuminated manuscripts and borrowed some chickens in order to make these pictures. Nice! I'm still not sure how the illustrators make those solid colors--this one uses mostly blue, red, green, gold, and brown for the fox. The colors all look so solid that I'm not sure how they're done. I think the black is ink, though.
Pretty simple story lifted from Chaucer--Chanticleer the rooster gets caught by a flattering fox when he stops to sing for him. He learns his lesson and lives to tell about it. Love the scene with the widow and her daughters chasing after the fox with all of the other animals close behind.
March 31, 2017
So I have had this sitting on my shelf for a long time. Actually this is the second copy I have owned. Today I pulled it off the shelf because someone mentioned reading Walter Wangerin's The Book of Sorrows which is the sequel of The Book of the Dun Cow which also has Chanticleer in it. These books reveal to me the depth of redeeming my education needs. Chanticleer is a character from the Canterbury Tales which I have never read but intend to but at this point I feel this children's book is about my level but my goal is Chaucer but how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. I think this book is a great way to start hanging pegs in a child's mind that make later readings of Wangerin and Chaucer accessible! The Barbara Clooney illustrations are beautiful!
January 9, 2013
Returning to this Caldecott Medal-winning book was a pleasure. I can remember reading this book when I was a child and being intrigued by the ornate artwork and the book's message about being wary of flatterers. As I read it again, the same pleasure I experienced initially returned to me, and I worried for the rooster while also laughing at how he turns the tables on the fox who plans to eat him for dinner. By opening his mouth when he shouldn't, he loses that succulent meal. I love the black and white colors and the touches of red, green, and gold that are found throughout the pages.
December 17, 2014
Cooney does a great job retelling this humorous Chaucer story, with a clever moral at the end. It is rather wordy, and so most suitable for elementary age children. The drawings are well executed and appealing. Some of the drawings are black ink only; others have been colored with bold, bright reds, greens, yellows, and other colors. The words and pictures are woven together into a seamless whole, making this one of my favorite of the Caldecott award-winning books.
October 4, 2017
I love the color scheme of the illustrations in this book, and how certain patches of color are used to draw the eye across the page in a particular way. I've never been crazy about the story itself, but I like the way the mother uses a moment of drama between animals as a way to teach her kids a lesson. I also think the cover illustration is great - the fox peeking out of the bush at Chanticleer tells us so much about the story to come.
January 12, 2015
I read this book as one of our January GR children's book groups. I respect Barbara Cooney's work and wanted to have this Caldecott for my collection. The story is an old Chaucer tale of a rooster who flaunts his good looks too much and is caught by a fox. Cooney's illustrations fit the story well. The moral of the story is one most children will learn from and provides a good discussion base for a family. Good story, great pictures.
February 25, 2017
An adaptation of one of the Canterbury Tales, of whose original version I have not read. I'm not sure if that makes a difference, because this was a fun and readable version. My son is three, so while I did read the whole book out once, I repeated it again in words that he could understand and showed him the pictures. The illustrations themselves were lovely with simple colors, and we enjoyed the experience quite a bit.
December 14, 2008
I learned not to let wolves flatter me into letting them eat me.
August 5, 2013
Lovely story and picture book.
February 2, 2014
Beautiful book, but too old fashioned to hold my son's interest.
February 4, 2023
Re-read nearly a year from the first time and enjoyed it much more than originally and found the illustrations winsome. Again 2/2/23 - same thoughts and appreciate the lesson on flattery.
February 5, 2020
A childhood favorite of mine. Now I need to track it down for my own kids...
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