Юлий Зебра: Схватка с гърците

Julius Zebra #4

by Gary Northfield, Гари Нортфийлд, Боряна Даракчиева (Translator)

В „Схватка с гърците“ Юлий и приятелите му поемат на мисия, възложена им от Херакъл – да намерят Златната ябълка. Скоро те се изправят пред страховития Минотавър, след това успяват да измамят стоглав дракон и накрая се озовават в двореца на самия цар Мидас.

Но какво ли мислят боговете на Олимп за техните щуротии в Подземния свят?

Genres: Humor, Childrens, Fantasy, Historical Fiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2018

Reviews

[Stace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com

Julius Zebra is back in his fourth book, this time he is grappling with the Greeks.

Demi-God Heracles needs to find a golden apple to complete his labors. He enlists the help of Julius and his friends to help him recover it and offers them immortality in return for their help. However, not long into their journey Heracles disappears and leaves the friends to search for the golden apple themselves.

They fight a Minotaur and even a hundred-headed dragon in their quest to find the apple but will they succeed and will they become immortal? – Start reading now to find out.

I grew up on slap-stick humour. My dad used to watch cartoons like Tom and Jerry alongside the likes of Oliver and Hardy and the Carry On films, I presume this is where I got my love of humour from.

The Julius Zebra books really remind me of these types of programmes as they are pure entertainment from beginning to end, the characters don’t take themselves too seriously (well most of them) and there are plenty of laugh-out-loud scenes throughout and of course there are the amazing cartoon illustrations to giggle at too.

If you haven’t heard of the series then you are really missing out. The previous books are – Rumble with the Romans! Book One, Bundle with the Britons! Book Two and Entangled with the Egyptians! Book Three. All of them are equally as amusing and are a lot of fun to read.

I am sure that middle-grade readers will love these books. They are pure entertainment from beginning to end and are filled to the brim with adventure.

Grapple with the Greeks! is one of those books that makes you smile from ear to ear (and wince now and again). I can see this series become a big hit with kids. There are also pages at the back full of factual information and fun things for kids to do too.

[J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE BEST ONE YET!!!👍👍👍

Julius, QUEST, Zebra has done it again!!!
He and his hero friends are back in Africa, and gone retired. Naturally, not for long.
Enters Heracles, acting like a bull in a china shop, seeking great champions to aid him on one last unfinished labor.
And immediately ran into Julius.

Listen, Hairy Keith, son of Zoots,” retorted Julius.
“Heracles!” corrected Heracles moodily.
“That’s what I said,” continued Julius. “I’m not looking for any more adventures!”

But…
Risking his butt being kicked by his mom, and being naïve as he is, Julius embarks on another venture.

Heracles, who is as greasy as a rag in a car repair shop, deceived Julius and his team and obliged them to join him. And then the s**t hit the fan.

What dangers, such as metal colossus, angry dolphins, skellybob hands, really smelly passages, labyrinths, Trojan zebras, splinters in bottoms, ghosts, ghoulies and other perils lurk in the way of our heroes.

We find out in this story.

Julius approached the hooded figure warily. “Excuse me, are you the ferryman?”
Cornelius consulted his map again. “He’s called Charon,” he whispered.
Julius cleared his throat. “Are you the one they call Sharon?”
There was a pause, before icy whisper drifted from the hood. “My name is Charon.”
“I have an Auntie Sharon!” piped up Felix.
Julius turned round and put his hoof to his mouth to shush Felix.
“Listen, Sharon,” said Julius…

Do you think that was wise?🤔🤔🤔

I cried when The Minotaur called Heracles ‘’ THE LAZY OAF’’ 😂😂😂

I will miss these nincompoops. They really made my reading year!

I ask the author to consider my proposal ... history knows many other ancient civilizations ... but, judging by the epilogue, there is hope that my wish will come true.

Thank you, Sharon.
You are most welcome… Debra.

[Erik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leuk boek. Aanrader!

[Cat Strawberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just can’t get enough of Julius Zebra and this latest adventure is another brilliant addition to the series! ‘Julius Zebra Grapple with the Greeks’ is a very funny book filled with text and lots of hilarious illustrations. You don’t need to have read any Julius Zebra books before reading this one but it definitely is something I recommend as you’ll enjoy even more antics with the characters and you’ll learn how their story began.

In the adventure this time Julius and his friends are enjoying their time at home until they meet Heracles who wants their help with a task. He needs help to find a golden apple so of course what happens next is an adventure through ancient Greece where they enter a labyrinth and even Hades itself! I don’t want to reveal what happens but it’s so ridiculous and hilarious that I can’t keep a straight face while reading this book. The best way to describe the humour is that’s it’s very silly, daft and it’s definitely a very British humour with words like ‘Cor!’

It feels as if every book in the series just gets better than the last and as well as being very funny, this particular book has a lovely bit at the end with Julius and his brother. I love the fact that once again the characters try to have a holibob, I just love that word! And now there’s a new word for me to love: Skellybob! The whole story is just so funny and silly and it’s just the perfect kind of humour for me.

The illustrations, all black and white, are really funny ( I still love how silly they look with those eyes!) and once again are part of the story. The pictures are throughout the text and you need to read the speech bubbles and see what’s happening in each picture to understand the next part of the story. I love the way the pictures are a part of the tale, it makes it all more engaging to read. Once again the back of this book is filled with some facts, first you learn how to count in roman numerals which is a great lesson in itself and then there is a funny glossary of ancient Greek things which appear in the story with more detailed information on them. There is also a few other things to learn including the cosmos and a couple of activities you can do. I really enjoy how this book is educational while being so entertaining and it’s always a bonus to have extra things to do when you’ve finished reading a book, I especially can’t wait to try dressing up Julius (you’ll understand if you read the activities in the end of the book!)

I really can’t wait for the next book in the series! Once again the epilogue suggests a possible future book and where in the ancient world it could occur. And I have to say I also can’t wait for a supposed joke book that’ll be coming out in the near future! If you love Julius Zebra then you’ll definitely enjoy this but even if you’ve never tried one of these stories before I’d still recommend this. It’s got a brilliant sense of humour and is great for anyone who is also interested or who knows a little about Ancient Greece, whatever age they are!
-Thanks to Walker Books for a free copy for review.

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julius Zebra is back, and yet again his vacation is going wayyyyy different than he was hoping it would be.

Remember where we left off last time? Yep, Milus who was thrown into the air by a bulky guy? Named Heracles? Yep, that Heracles! The book immediately starts off from where the previous book started and I loved it. Yes, it has been some time since I last read the previous book, but it was like I never left. I could just step in, laugh and enjoy this story.

This time we have tons of mythology and greek legends (and gods) making their way into our lives (and that of Julius and his friends). Heracles needs someone to do something for him, and after some bumpy things (including stones being thrown around haphazardly) they go with Heracles to find that apple.

I did think it was quite hilarious that even though Julius friends weren't always happy with the situation, the idea of immortality appealed to them all (and rock collecting for one animal, I will leave you to guess who that is). And so the quest starts, and from that moment the story gets more and more hilarious as meet giants who can't handle water, we see them throw a ball of yarn at a Minotaur (because none of them thought that maybe it was better to use it to find the way back), we see them meet a many headed dragon, make a wooden zebra (or is a horse) to get into a place, and oh yes, avoid all the Romans. As Julius is a very sought after zebra. Everyone wants him, and it does complicate matters in this book, which made everything even further fun to read as our heroes have to do all sorts of silly things to avoid detection (including massaging their enemies, no don't ask).

I loved seeing all my favourite Greek gods and legends and more pop by. Every time I thought we wouldn't be getting a visit from that person, boom, there they were. Like Midas. I hadn't expected we would see him.
Oh, and I had a suspicion on Heracles' motives for asking Julius, and it was fun (and at one point sad) to see our group also find those motives out as they do meet characters who had the same happening to them thanks to Heracles.

We also meet with old friends, and I was happy (and not so happy depending on who it was) to see them again.

I love the interactions between the characters, at times I wonder how they are friends with Julius, but then again, without Julius their lives would be plenty of boring, so I can imagine they go along with him. Oh, and one of them may just do it for the rocks, but that is a whole different matter.

Of course, just like all the other books, this book is delightfully illustrated which makes the book even more fun to read. Quite often the illustrations continue the story.

Given the ending I am already excited for the next book, yes, there will be more. Plus, I saw there is a joke book coming out, and I need it in my life.

I would highly recommend this book to everyone. You won't be bored one bit while reading this story, instead you may be in danger of falling of your chair/bean bag/couch and rolling on the floor.

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Lorie · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this fourth adventure Julius and his bungling group of friends are tricked by Heracles into finding a golden apple. Some of their adventures include defeating the Minotaur, tricking King Midas, and rescuing Julius' brother from Hades. It seems like they are also continuing to add more reasons for Emperor Hadrian to find fault with them as they add to misdeeds from the first three books.

My Roman and Greek mythology is purely surface, so I believe that Julius and his friends are Roman characters who meet Greek characters in this story. The whole premise seemed very silly, but I am sure the intended middle school audience would like the insanity. One example is they find and loose the golden apple and spoiler alert- it ends up not really mattering in the end. Rough pen and ink illustrations work like graphic novel panels to move the story along and seem to add to the humor.

The book has some clever extras that saved this from being just okay. I liked the page numbers being printed as roman numerals. There is also back matter that explain roman numerals, an explanation of how the planets in our solar system are named after Roman gods, a lesson on Greek urns, and a dress Julius paper doll. There is also a pretty detailed glossary of Greek and Roman things mentioned in the story.

The series was originally published in the UK and brought to the North American market by Candlewick. While it might be better to read the series in order, each book seems to be self-contained and can be read alone without losing major plot points. The book ends with a to be continued..., but as of this point there is no 5th book.

I would recommend this book for purchase by middle school and public libraries.

This book was provided by the publisher for professional review by SWON Libraries.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book “IV” in the series about a band of friends on adventures in ancient worlds. Julius is the “striped horse” of the title, and he is accompanied on his quest by Lucia, a crocodile, Rufus, a giraffe, and an antelope, a warthog, a lion and Julius’s brother. A short graphic introduction provides the reader with the background and character summary. In this book, the demigod Heracles challenges Julius and his friends to become champions of Rome, entitling them to aid him in the completion of his twelve labors. The friends go to Crete, where they outwit the Minotaur in his labyrinth; they battle the dragon who guards the golden apples in the Garden of the Hesperides; and they even visit Hades in the Underworld.

The adventure is a lighthearted and humorous romp through Greek mythology, with plenty of jokes and silly misunderstandings. Black and white line drawings on every page complement the text and provide an entertaining take on the serious subject of battling mythological monsters through the eyes of the misfit animal travelers. At the end, there are short sections on Roman numerals, planet naming, as well as instructions for making a Greek Hoplite puppet and painting an urn in the style of the ancient Greeks. A glossary fleshes out the characters from mythology.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Julius Zebra 'teams up' with Heracles to help him complete one of his labors. Heracles needs to find a golden apple. So, off on a hair-brained, nincompoop adventure. Danger and tribulations abound!

Julius and his friends face a Minotaur, Cerberus, Charon, and try to outwit King Midas. But, do they find the golden apple and what exactly is that Heracles doing to help complete this task? Madcap shenanigans ensue.

Kids will love this romp through legendary times. I am certain that this fourth book in the series would be better if the first three have been devoured already.

Includes (an explanation of) Roman Numerals, (an explanation of) The Cosmos, (How to) Dress Up Julius As an Ancient Greek Hoplite, (How to) Be Immortalized on Your Own Greek Jug or Urn, How to Paint in the Ancient Greek Style, and (Whew!) Glossary.

I love when authors sneak facts and history into zany books.

Thank you to LibraryThing Early Reviewers, Candlewick Press, and Gary Northfield for this ARC.

[Lasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Julius Zebra: Grapple with the Greeks is a great addition to the series, even though the trilogy could have easily ended with the third book. Julius and his crew’s journey to ancient Greece brings plenty of new laughs, and the fresh take on Greek mythology and culture keeps the humor engaging. While it feels like a bit of an extra adventure, the story still delivers on the fun, with plenty of silly antics and clever jokes.

The illustrations, as always, add so much to the comedy, with expressive characters and chaotic moments that made me smile. Julius’s bumbling charm and the way he stumbles through ancient Greece is entertaining, though it doesn’t quite surpass the earlier books. Still, the setting brings enough new material to make this installment enjoyable.

All in all, while it feels like a bonus chapter after the main trilogy, Grapple with the Greeks is still a fun and funny read that fans of the series will love.

Lasha

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dit blijft een uitstekend kinderboek. Zowel om voor te lezen, als (vermoed ik) zelf te lezen voor een 8 tot 10 jarige.

De eerste in de reeks (Julius Zebra: Rollebollen met de Romeinen) kon me iets meer bekoren.
Ik vermoed om twee redenen:
Enerzijds heeft de schrijver het in dit deel iets moeilijker om origineel uit de hoek te komen, wat logischerwijs veel makkelijker was in het eerste deel.
Anderzijds voegde het eerste deel stapsgewijs personages toe, terwijl er in dit deel soms wat teveel zijn, allen van in het begin aanwezig.

[Duncan · Rating 4 out of 5]

i like this book because its so helerias 😄

[Nathan Yong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarisch

[angelofmine1974 · Rating 3 out of 5]

My review of this book can be found on my YouTube Vlog at:

https://youtu.be/7i6Y40S2rDc

Enjoy!

[Brambram · Rating 5 out of 5]

leuk !