Theseus and the Minotaur (A Toon Graphic)

Theseus and the Minotaur (A Toon Graphic)

Relive Theseus's fantastic adventure as he comes face-to-face with the terrible Minotaur! Son of both a god and a man, Theseus was destined for greatness. How did he become both the king of Athens and the creator of democracy? A must for fans of Percy Jackson and mythology-inspired video games--it will captivate young readers and nourish their imaginations. Gr 4–8—This graphic novel version Greek myth of Theseus, founder of democracy, and the Minotaur, a half-human, half-bull creature, is a widely appealing tale in which a heroic warrior reclaims his destiny. Theseus, son of Aethra and King Aegeus, journeys to Athens to find his long lost father. On his way, he faces many foes, including a rampant bull. Upon arriving in Athens, the hero learns that the Minotaur has been locked away in a labyrinth, threatening to kill anyone who enters his domain, including many prisoners from Athens. Theseus destroys the Minotaur, but miscommunication leads his father to think he was unsuccessful. Tragically, Aegeus throws himself into the sea. Theseus becomes king, but eventually abdicates the thrown, giving power to the people. In keeping with the oral tradition of mythology, this work opens with a man facing two children—and readers—explaining that he is going to share an ancient tale. French comic artist and children's author Pommaux has recreated this epic myth in illustrated fiction format, with important dialogue written in text bubbles. Unlike standard graphic novels, there are no panels. It is possible to understand the story from the art and sparse text bubbles alone, but the majority of the tale is told in straight text surrounding the art. The full-color art complements and enhances the narrative. Back matter includes an illustrated list of characters, index, and glossary. Notes on pronunciation can be found on most pages. An accessible, informative, and enjoyable read.—Marissa Lieberman, East Orange Public Library, NJ French author-artist Pommaux offers a solid graphic retelling of the life of Theseus, first published in France. ... Character bios, pronunciations, and an index round out a handsomely illustrated introduction to a classical hero. —Publishers Weekly Pommaux’s illustrations focus on light coloring and shading, making the sometimes brutal story gentle enough for younger audiences. Large splash panels really draw the eye and give a great sense of story, which should help students who may struggle to read the large blocks of text. ... Teachers looking for a great resource on this myth will be pleased. Added at the end is an in-depth glossary that further explains characters and topics only briefly mentioned in the text, making it an ideal resource for those learning about this myth for the first time. —Booklist A widely appealing tale in which a heroic warrior reclaims his destiny. ... The full-color art complements and enhances the narrative. ... An accessible, informative, and enjoyable read. —School Library Journal Sound effects and wry dialogue ... lighten the drama.... Pommaux’s suggestion that Theseus neglected to change his ship’s black sails because he was “distraught” over leaving Ariadne behind is a nice touch. —Kirkus Reviews Absolutely brilliant! Smart and well told — plus the art is sublime. —Jeff Smith, Author of Bone An ancient story wonderfully retold in a perfectly ancient way, graphically , text and pictures more together than either could be alone. —Jon Scieszka, author of The Stinky Cheese Man Adventure, mythology, and a Minotour! What's not to like! —Frank Cammuso, author of Knights of the Lunch Table Yvan Pommaux is a beloved children's book author in France who is known for his detailed research and illustration style. In 1995 he was awarded the prestigious Grand Prix de la Ville de Paris. Three schools have been named after him as a testament to the joy and educational appeal of his work for children. Theseus and the Minotaur is Pommaux's first book in English.