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Cyclops
Describes the encounter between the cyclops Polyphemus and Odysseus and his men after the end of the Trojan War.
32 pages, Library Binding
First published September 1, 1991
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 21, 2013
A chilling story of Odysseus's brush with death, this makes a great read-aloud for grade 2 and up. After being blown off course as punishment by the gods, Odysseus and his crew end up in the cave of an evil Cyclops. He eats several men and threatens to kill them all. They must find a way out of the cave, but it's always closed-in by a huge boulder. When the men come up with a plan, the events take a graphic turn, but their cleverness is the greatest thrill in the story.
February 28, 2020
Full-page color illustrations are the highlight of this retelling of the story of Odysseus and his men encountering the Cyclops Polyphemus on the island of Sicily on their way home from the Trojan War.
This version is appropriate for younger audiences, although I will caution parents, teachers and caregivers of children who are especially sensitive: this story is quite violent.
There are graphic depictions of men being eaten as well as Polyphemus being blinded by a stake. But I suppose it's fairly benign, considering the blood and gore kids are exposed to in video games today.
This version is appropriate for younger audiences, although I will caution parents, teachers and caregivers of children who are especially sensitive: this story is quite violent.
There are graphic depictions of men being eaten as well as Polyphemus being blinded by a stake. But I suppose it's fairly benign, considering the blood and gore kids are exposed to in video games today.
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February 10, 2020And if i ever reviewed this book, After the cyclops started eating the men, one guy lunged a spear into his one eye, and the men escaped on a ship, feeling enraged. the cyclops throws a huge log at the ship but misses, and then he sits down on a boulder and starts crying after a guy poked out his eye, hmm. did that happen? i remember that
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October 12, 2015Title: Cyclops
Author: Leonard Everett Fisher
Illustrator: Leonard Everett Fisher
Genre: Myth
Theme(s): Learning about Odysseus and Polyphemus
Opening line/sentence: “Odysseus and his Greek army had been fighting for ten years in a faraway city called Troy.”
Brief Book Summary: This book discusses the encounter between Polyphemus and Odysseus and his men at the conclusion of the Trojan War.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly
Fans of Fisher's well-sourced retellings of the Greek myths will shiver with terror at this emotive episode in the adventures of Odysseus. The most electrifying aspect here is the astonishing art: readers' attention is grabbed with the cover painting of the hideous Cyclops and held by one riveting spread after another. The mariners' boat is dwarfed and battered by waves; the sky is an ominous blue-black; the landscapes are dramatically lit by a sun that breaks through heavy clouds. The richly toned paintings intensify the theatricality inherent in the confrontation between Odysseus and the mythic monster. Excitement builds with the interplay of light and shadow in the paintings of the doomed captives in the one-eyed giant's cave; the giant himself is so immense and threatening that the pages can barely contain him. Although the story's grisly aspects make it less palatable to those youngsters at the low end of the age range, this is in any event enticing fare. Ages 4-8. (Oct.)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: School Library Journal - School Library Journal
Gr 4-6-- A terse, three-line summary of Odysseus's Trojan experiences and a succinct explanation for his subsequent wanderings set the scene for the hero's unwitting landing on the Cyclops's island. The encounter with Polyphemus follows, but not in Homer's expansive epic style. Fisher's narrative is compressed and direct; the illustrations, in rich, saturated oils, complement its simplified and dramatic qualities. The dense forms on the landscapes and the device of showing only part of the giant emphasize the inhuman scale of Odysseus's opponent and the vastness of the world in which he wanders. Polyphemus is repellent, and several depictions of him after he's been blinded (with the sharpened stake still protruding) are quite gruesome. Readers with a taste for the monstrous, or for a classic adventure yarn, may find this kind of visit enticing. --Patricia Dooley, University of Washington, Seattle
Response to Two Professional Reviews: Both reviews seem to think that this book contains a good analysis about the Greek history. The reviews seem to think that this is an intriguing and informational book for young children. Children can use this to learn about history.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: The setting of the book is in Ithaca and Troy.
The characters in the novel are Greeks. This exemplifies characterization.
Consideration of Instructional Application: Have students get into large groups and do research the Odysseus’s Trojan experiences. They can do this with books or the Internet. Then the students must share their findings in a large group.
Author: Leonard Everett Fisher
Illustrator: Leonard Everett Fisher
Genre: Myth
Theme(s): Learning about Odysseus and Polyphemus
Opening line/sentence: “Odysseus and his Greek army had been fighting for ten years in a faraway city called Troy.”
Brief Book Summary: This book discusses the encounter between Polyphemus and Odysseus and his men at the conclusion of the Trojan War.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly
Fans of Fisher's well-sourced retellings of the Greek myths will shiver with terror at this emotive episode in the adventures of Odysseus. The most electrifying aspect here is the astonishing art: readers' attention is grabbed with the cover painting of the hideous Cyclops and held by one riveting spread after another. The mariners' boat is dwarfed and battered by waves; the sky is an ominous blue-black; the landscapes are dramatically lit by a sun that breaks through heavy clouds. The richly toned paintings intensify the theatricality inherent in the confrontation between Odysseus and the mythic monster. Excitement builds with the interplay of light and shadow in the paintings of the doomed captives in the one-eyed giant's cave; the giant himself is so immense and threatening that the pages can barely contain him. Although the story's grisly aspects make it less palatable to those youngsters at the low end of the age range, this is in any event enticing fare. Ages 4-8. (Oct.)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: School Library Journal - School Library Journal
Gr 4-6-- A terse, three-line summary of Odysseus's Trojan experiences and a succinct explanation for his subsequent wanderings set the scene for the hero's unwitting landing on the Cyclops's island. The encounter with Polyphemus follows, but not in Homer's expansive epic style. Fisher's narrative is compressed and direct; the illustrations, in rich, saturated oils, complement its simplified and dramatic qualities. The dense forms on the landscapes and the device of showing only part of the giant emphasize the inhuman scale of Odysseus's opponent and the vastness of the world in which he wanders. Polyphemus is repellent, and several depictions of him after he's been blinded (with the sharpened stake still protruding) are quite gruesome. Readers with a taste for the monstrous, or for a classic adventure yarn, may find this kind of visit enticing. --Patricia Dooley, University of Washington, Seattle
Response to Two Professional Reviews: Both reviews seem to think that this book contains a good analysis about the Greek history. The reviews seem to think that this is an intriguing and informational book for young children. Children can use this to learn about history.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: The setting of the book is in Ithaca and Troy.
The characters in the novel are Greeks. This exemplifies characterization.
Consideration of Instructional Application: Have students get into large groups and do research the Odysseus’s Trojan experiences. They can do this with books or the Internet. Then the students must share their findings in a large group.
March 25, 2014
This isn't the best retelling of the meeting between the cyclops Polyphemus and Odysseus and his men during their journey back to Ithaca. The illustrations sure do make the story interesting though.
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January 21, 2017It was very detailed and at moments even graphic. Very close to Homer's real classic. Because it had blocks of text I would recommend it for 2-3rd grade independent reading.
January 31, 2016
Amazing illustrations with good description of cyclop's history.
May 2, 2017
[3.5]
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews