kelseywaters's review against another edition
3.0
We read this at the end of the school year with our sixth graders as part of the Wheatley curriculum. This year didn’t have the same magic since we had to do it through Distance Learning and I haven’t yet figured out how to optimize that experience for kids with a group text. I get a little bored with the journey home but enjoy reading Odysseus’ battle with the suitors at the end of the story.
deservingporcupine's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting kids' version of the Odyssey. The pictures were pretty disturbing, but my students liked it.
nicolec417's review against another edition
4.0
A read-aloud with the kiddos. Adventure! Murder! Monsters! Romance! Perfection. This is a great version for elementary aged children (7+). It doesn’t dumb the story down, and the kids learned new vocabulary and concepts.
marykimball14's review against another edition
5.0
I did this as a read-aloud for my 2nd/3rd Grade Class. I was worried both about the nature of the story being too graphic, and some of the ideals in the book going over my kids' heads. In hindsight, probably a more appropriate book for middle grade kids. Regardless, my kids and I really liked this story! It is a toned down version of the original "Odyssey", and Gillian Cross retold the story in a way that modern kids could enjoy and understand. The illustrations are beautiful (if not a little odd), and the story is very engaging! With my support and prompting, and our everyday discussion of the book, my kids picked up on a lot of the little details in the book! I highly recommend!
library_bookwyrm's review against another edition
5.0
This is a great, easy-to-read version of The Odyssey, with lovely illustrations. Highly recommended for getting your kids hooked on the classics at a young age. :) (Also highly recommended for adults who enjoy picture books and good stories.)
kjboldon's review against another edition
4.0
A solid re-telling of the tales of Odysseus, with intriguing art. Sometimes I longed for Homer's own words rather than Cross' paraphrases, and found it interesting that she softened some bits, as when she said he didn't kill ALL the suitors, but I read this aloud to my kids over several nights and we enjoyed it a great deal.
taratara44's review against another edition
3.0
This is a good adaptation, it is a little more visual and definitely simplified, it's restructured to be chronological and does cut the sex and overwhelming gore, I like that it keeps some of the personification and similes though, I think it's a good alternative to just focus on the plot
danceinrain's review against another edition
5.0
I read this to my elementary school-aged sons and they loved it. This book is excellent.
jessalynn_librarian's review against another edition
3.0
The oversize trim is a plus, and the retelling is smooth and reasonably compelling (it's been almost 15 years since I read the full version, but I still think Odysseus is a big jerk for much of the story). I'd recommend it to young mythology fans in a heartbeat. I do wish the illustrations weren't so off-putting! I liked a lot of the more abstract illustrations, but the depictions of human figures weren't something I could appreciate or admire.