Hercules
Retells the story of the final, and most difficult, labor of Hercules, known as Heracles in Greek mythology, in which he must go to the Underworld and bring back the three-headed dog, Cerberus
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author:
Robert Burleigh is the author of many books for children including Flight: the journey of Charles Lindbergh, which won the Orbus Pictus award. He lives in Chicago, Illinois.
From School Library Journal:
Grade 3-6-A picture-book retelling of the final labor of Hercules, hauntingly presented. Told in the third-person present tense, the story follows the legendary hero into the underworld to retrieve the three-headed dog, Cerberus. The narrative is spare, broken into short, poetic lines: "Soundlessly,/They push into the river./And the rocky bank fades behind them." This may be more detailed than some readers want, but they will be drawn in and revel in the story. The success of this version depends heavily on Colon's watercolor and colored-pencil illustrations. His characteristically golden hues work well for the Mediterranean and mythical setting, and the varying dimensions of the pictures (from single, to page-and-a-half, to double-page banners) on the wide pages make the text and visual narration move from left to right as if on a scroll. A couple of details mar this otherwise lovely book. The bizarrely cartoonlike illustration of the Gorgon seems out of style with the otherwise unified-looking characters and creatures. Also, Burleigh's choice not to include Eurystheus (the king who commands Hercules's labors and is shamed by his success in this one) or Hercules's return of Cerberus to the underworld (readers don't know what happens to the creature in this version) make the telling seem unfinished. Still, this is an enticing contribution.
Nina Lindsay, Oakland Public Library, CA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Nina Lindsay, Oakland Public Library, CA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherHeinemann/Raintree
- Publication date1999
- ISBN 10 0739814826
- ISBN 13 9780739814826
- BindingLibrary Binding
- Number of pages32
- IllustratorColon Raul
- Rating
(No Available Copies)
Search Books: Create a WantIf you know the book but cannot find it on AbeBooks, we can automatically search for it on your behalf as new inventory is added. If it is added to AbeBooks by one of our member booksellers, we will notify you!
Create a Want