Leopold, the Liar of Leipzig    by Francine Prose & Einav Aviram Order:  USA  Can Joanna Cotler, 2005 (2005) Hardcover      Reviewed by Hilary Daninhirsch Leopold sits on a bench in Leipzig's zoo every Sunday and tells fascinating stories about impossible events in faraway lands, such as the country of Carthaginia where 'cats catch caterpillars and cook them in casseroles in costly cafes.' Similarly, in the country of Lusitana, 'all the ladies look like lizards and the lizards all look like ladies.' Leopold mesmerizes his audiences with his fanciful storytelling, so that they clamor for more. One day, Doctor Doctor Professor Morgenfresser comes to town and gives a speech on his travels, boring his listeners because his stories are not as interesting as Leopold's. In a fit of jealousy, the professor accuses Leopold of being a liar and demands his arrest. Leopold defends himself by saying he is only telling stories, and is ultimately exonerated. Prose, the accomplished author of many works of fiction, has fun with language, as many of Leopold's stories are alliterative. The illustrator's color choices are magnificent. Some of the drawings are exaggerated, perfectly complementing Leopold's exaggerated tales. This fable about fables is a homage to storytelling and celebrates the power of imagination. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Kids books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews