Constantine and Koren Christofides and Carsten, all of the Institute for American Universities, have realized the dream of the French caricaturist Honoré Daumier to create new illustrations for the fables of Jean de la Fontaine. The illustrations in this volume, which were made by painters, printmakers, photographers, ceramists, sculptors, conceptual artists, fiber artists and art historians, create an intersection of contemporary art with the fabulist tradition. An additional pleasure is Constantine Christofides' introduction, which describes the volatile social context of 17th-century France as well as the literary tradition underlying La Fontaine's fables. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)