Jason and the Golden Fleece Hardcover – January 1, 2003

The story of Jason and the Argonauts is one of the oldest heroic stories of Western Civilization. Homer makes reference to Jason in both the Iliad and the Odyssey. However, the first complete telling of the myth comes to us from the Third Century BCE in the epic poem, Argonautica. "Jason and the Glden Fleece" is a retelling of the Argonautica with children as its targeted audience."Jason and the Golden Fleece" does a good job of tracking the plot line of the Argonautica. All the major characters and incidents are included in this version. The writing is competent and the illustrations are first class. However, what keeps me from giving this book five stars is that I am not sure the Argonautica can really be condensed for children. It is too interesting a story to be reduced down to its simplest plot elements. Although I have not read it, I suspect that the Padraic Colum and Willy Pagany retelling probably does the myth more justice.

This is a retelling of Greek Mythological story of Jason in Apollonius' The Argonauts written in 3rd Century BC. The story is written in simple language and well abridged to suite younger audience, the story itself is not simple. Might not be suitable for very young children.Illustrations by Jason Cockcroft are awesome and put the mythological landscapes and characters in mystique way.This review is for hardcover edition by Frances Lincoln Children's Books (ISBN : 978-0711220812)

Very good images and simple text, though not such a simple story. I believe it's a great buy, especially to read to children older than 6.

I used a Power of Reading approach that was very effective in engaging a Year 5 class. If you just want a good picture book of an Ancient Greek myth, it'll do just as well.