The Adventures of Perseus

by Peter Hepplewhite

Abandoned at birth, but miraculously rescued, Perseus must protect his mother from the wicked King Polydectes. On his journey he will face toothless witches, an angry giant, a terrible sea monster and the terrifying Gorgon Medusa. This book features humorous cartoon-style illustrations and the narrative approach, which encourage readers to get emotionally involved with the characters. It includes 'Ask the storyteller' boxes, which give peripheral details about the narrative and the characters involved. The book also features an introduction to Greek storytelling, a glossary and index, as well as a 'Who's who' section with a pronunciation guide. It supports Key Stage 2 History and English and helps achieve the Scottish Standard Curriculum 5-14.

Genres: Mythology

32 pages, Library Binding

First published August 1, 2004

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is strange to think that as a child, the only Greek myths available to me at the local library were D'Aulaire's and Bullfinch's anthologies. Rick Riordan has certainly changed that. The comic-book-style illustrations (by Mark Bergin) are dynamic in Hepplewhite's re-telling of the Greek myths about Perseus. It is a good marriage of text and illustrations. It reminds me of the "You wouldn't want to live in..." history series.

[Stephanie]

The Adventures of Perseus is about the journey of Perseus, son of Greek God Zeus and Danae. After Perseus is born King Arcisius puts Danae and Perseus in a box and sends them out to sea because it is foretold that Perseus will one day kill him. Perseus and Danae luckily landed on a faraway land where a kind fisherman named Dictys takes them in. Unfortunately the tyrant king of this new land, King Polydectes, wants to marry Danae. She does not want to marry him, and Perseus vows to protect her. In retaliation King Polydectes tells Perseus that he wants the head of the Gorgon Medusa hoping that he will be killed by the gorgon. On Perseus’s journey to get Gorgon Medusa’s head he encounters the terrible creature Graiae, a stranded Princess Andromeda, and a sea monster. Perseus returns to King Polydectes after slaying Medusa and the sea monster and saving Princess Andromeda. He shows the King Medusa’s head and the King is instantly turned to stone. Perseus is reunited with his mother Danae and they live happily with Princess Andromeda.

The Adventures of Perseus displays several different characteristics of a traditional literature book. First, this book is a Greek myth which myths are a characteristic of traditional literature. Second, this book has a short plot and fast paced action. Lastly, this book has a hero and a villain which is another characteristic of traditional literature. This book is a good text to use when teaching hot to make inferences and the difference between heroes and villains. Furthermore, this exciting book is great for third through fifth graders.

[Duane · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're interested in Greek mytholoy and Perseus/Medusa, then this book is a great book for you. Not meant as a research book, this book still gives plenty of information so that the reader gets to enjoy the story behind the epic. Filled with great illustrations and easy-to-understand text, this book is a nice addition to anyone's library collection.