The Wolf-Girl, the Greeks and the Gods

This book is an absolute stunner! Told through the eyes of Spartan princess, Gorgo, it is an epic re-telling of the Persian Wars and I loved it so much I almost don’t know where to start.

The writing is completely compelling, offering a rich blend of mythology, history and narrative. Gorgo, one of the few female figures named by the historian, Herodotus, was a real Spartan princess and makes a spirited, engaging guide through the events. The telling is well paced, with each of the two parts-A Spartan Childhood and The Great War, broken into achievable chapters. It is an intense story, full of the blood of battles and the dark deeds of gods and mortals- unputdownable (is that a word?!) and absorbing.

And then there is the artwork! From the ships on the endpapers, white against a blood red background, to the gallery of gods, Greeks and Persians, from the maps to the double page spreads, the story is vividly brought to life by the wealth of fabulous illustrations. The artwork is as magical and evocative as the tale it illuminates.

This is a bit on the pricey side yet for the right reader, it’s worth every penny. I loved it!

The Wolf-Girl, the Greeks and the Gods: a tale of the Persian Wars

Tom Holland, illustrated by Jason Cockcroft

Walker Books ISBN: 978-1406394740

The Golden Age

Known in English as Ovid, Publius Ovidius Naso was a Roman poet. He is best known for the 'Metamorphoses', a long verse narrative which retells more than 250 ancient Greek and Roman legends, unified through the theme of transformation. In this collection, Heinz Janisch has chosen seventeen of those stories and has retold them in this volume.

Some of the selected stories are familiar ones. Midas and his golden touch; the plight of Icarus as he and his father attempt to escape from Crete; Arachne’s transformation after foolishly challenging the skill a goddess. Other myths are less well-known- Circe’s transformation of Picus into a woodpecker; Philemon and Baucis, changed into trees by Jupiter, their bows forever entwined; the story of the Lycian farmers, turned into frogs by Latona.

Each myth is retold in a succinct style, making them accessible and easy to follow yet, as these stories are, full of action and emotion. The illustrations have an ethereal quality, using muted colours to capture the essence of magic running through these stories.

There is a note from the author at the end of the book as well as a list of names of the characters in the book and a short note about Ovid. This collection is sure to appeal to children in upper KS2 and into KS3, offering much to discuss and enjoy as they bring Ovid’s Metamorphoses to a new audience of readers.

The Golden Age: Ovid’s Metamorphoses

Heinz Janisch, translated by David Henry Wilson

illustrated by Ana Sender

North and South ISBN: 978-0735844711