The Children's Homer: The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy

by Padraic Colum, Robert Whitfield (Narrated by)

Overview

Padraic Colum's classic retelling combines the immortal stories from Homer's Iliad and Odyssey into one glorious saga of heroism and magical adventure. Come voyage to ancient Greece with Achilles who, guided by the gods, seeks vengeance on the Trojans. And follow Odysseus on his perilous journey—through the land of the Cyclopes, past Circe the Enchantress, the terrible Charybdis, and the six-headed serpent Scylla.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786132324
Publisher:	Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Publication date:	11/09/2004
Edition description:	Unabridged

About the Author

Padraic Colum (1881–1972) was a poet, a playwright, and a leader of the Irish Renaissance, but he is best known for his works for children, including The Children of Odin and The Golden Fleece (a Newbery Honor Book).

William Andrew ("Willy") Pogany (August 1882 – 30 July 1955) was a prolific Hungarian illustrator of children's and other books.

Table of Contents

Part I3
	How Telemachus the son of Odysseus was moved to go on a voyage in search of his father and how he heard from Menelaus and Helen the tale of Troy
Part II124
	How Odysseus left Calypso's island and came to the land of the Phaeacians
	How he told he fared with the Cyclopes and went past terrible Scylla and Charybdis and came to the island of Thrinacia where his men slaughtered the cattle of the sun: how he was given a ship by the Phaeacians and came to his own land
	How he overthrew the wooers who wasted his substance and came to reign again as king of Ithaka

Editorial Reviews

An updated version of Colum's 1918 classic retelling of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, the story is highlighted by twelve color plates done by award-winning artist Barry Moser. Complete and easy to understand, this is the version that will stay with children forever as the horrid Cyclops, treacherous Sirens, and evil Circe all endeavor to keep Odysseus from his faithful Penelope. This notable series "Books of Wonder" is replete with exceptional classics for kids.

Children's Literature - Deborah Zink Roffino

A retelling of stories from the Iliad and the Odyssey, the book begins and ends in Ithaca. Part I recounts how Telemachus, son of Odysseus, at goddess Athene's bidding, leaves home to discover whether his father still lives and then sets out for Ithaca again to avenge the insults of his mother's wooers. In his travels, Telemachus visits Menelaus and Helen in Sparta, where he is entertained not only with tales of his father but also with details of the Trojan War. Menelaus last heard that Odysseus was captive on an island. Meanwhile, in Part II, the messenger Hermes appears to Calypso and tells her to release Odysseus. The home-sick hero sets sail but is shipwrecked on the land of the Phaeacians. There Odysseus, once identified, tells of his ten years' of wandering since the ten-year Trojan War ended. His fate was sealed when he blinded the one-eyed Cyclops, son of Poseidon. But now, Zeus is on his side and Odysseus finally returns home to bring retribution to trespassers and happiness to those who were faithful to him, especially his wife Penelope. A touching scene is when an ancient hound recognizes his master, even in a beggar's disguise, and then dies that very day. The book offers lessons in courtesy applicable to any time period. The framework of two stories meeting up for a suspenseful close are unique to this book. The illustrations are intriguing, though sometimes the icons at the beginnings of the chapters are hard to identify. 2004 (orig. 1918), Aladdin Paperbacks/Simon & Schuster, and Ages 10 up.
—Carol Raker Collins, Ph.D.

Children's Literature

Publishers Weekly Colum's stirring telling of the Greek epics is unequaled as an introduction to the classic myths for young readers.

From the Publisher