Jules Choppin, in his time, was a well known New Orleans poet who was published widely in local papers and the important Comptes rendus de l'Athénée Louisianais. Writing in both French and Creole, this bilingual edition is especially notable for the clever, good-humored fables in sprightly Louisiana Creole which this book centers on. Ably translated by renowned French and Creole translator Norman R. Shapiro, whose complete translations of La Fontaine are considered among the best.

Jules Choppin (1830-1914) was born in St. James Parish in Louisana to French parents. Highly educated (Georgetown, later chair of Greek and Latin at Georgetown) he returned home to open a day school, teaching English/French at his school and Tulane and studying the native creole language of the day. He wrote poetry in French and Creole, much of it published in important publications of the day. He died in New Orleans in 1914.