This book is a Greek myth about Perseus who is brave and determined. The myth is simplified, so it can be more easily understood by young readers. With the help of the goddess Athene and god Hermes, he saves his mother from cruel and selfish King Polydectes. The luminous watercolor paintings help tell the story. This would be a good book to introduce elementary school children to Greek mythology.

summary: Perseus and his mother were found in a chest in the ocean. The king thought Perseus' mother was so beautiful that he wanted to keep her to himself but she wanted nothing to do with him. Perseus grew and the king sent him off to fetch Medusa's head in exchange for the kind to leave Perseus's mother alone. This was an impossible task but the gods came to Perseus in the night and gave him strict instructions of how to fetch the head of Medusa. Perseus successfully retrieved Medusa's head and as he returned he saved a girl. Perseus returned to the kingdom and the head of Medusa turned the king and his followers to stone. Perseus saved his mother from the king and he married the woman he saved.

classroom connection: This book could be used in the classroom in studying Greek mythology.