Atalanta's Race: A Greek Myth [Hardcover]

Shirley Climo (Adapter), Alexander Koshkin (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

In ancient Greece, the gods control every life, from peasant to King. When newborn Princess Atalanta is left to die on a mountainside because her father wanted a son, the gods send a bear to care for her. Adopted by a woodsman, she grows into a great hunter and athlete, and is eventually reunited with her father, the King. But as she gets older, Atalanta has no use for the gods and gives them no credit. When she must run the most important race of her life, on which her future happiness rides, the gods intercede once more--and Atalanta learns they will not be ignored forever.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Climo and Koshkin, previously paired for Stolen Thunder: A Norse Myth reconfirm their compatibility with this stately picture book. Delving beyond the surface of the Greek myth of the fleet-footed princess, Climo's well-told tale raises issues of female worth and inclusion in male-dominated activities. She tempers the harshness of the ending (in which Atalanta and her true love are punished for failing to acknowledge divine help) in a thoughtful author's note that links the heroine to the modern Olympics, open to women athletes since 1900. Koshkin's striking, deep-toned, classically inspired paintings amplify the drama; framing each painting with architectural motifs, he matches Climo in her sensitivity to detail and ambience. Ages 6-10.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-7?By starting Atalanta's story with her rejection by her father (who wanted a boy), and carrying it past her race and marriage to her transformation into a lioness (because she failed to honor the gods), Climo hints at the rich psychological interest in her tale. A she-bear suckles Atalanta; a hunter raises her as a boy. Her athletic prowess first wins her notice, then acceptance, from her father; but what he really wants from her is a grandson. Melanion (Hippomenes in other versions) seems, at least, to love her for her own strong self. Atalanta, too, admires Melanion, and perhaps wishes him victory; although, as a true competitor, she tries her best to win. The apparent triumph of love is called into question by Aphrodite's revenge on the couple, both of whom are ungrateful to her for her gift. Koshkin's delicate but vibrant paintings, done in a style evoking the antique, set the raven-haired heroine and blond hero into an archaic Greek world of dress and decor. A slender architrave, pediment, and columns frame each picture. Aphrodite appears with her trademark swan and dolphins, while gorgeous double-spread endpapers depict the whole world of an ancient city-state. There are many retellings of Atalanta's story, but none surpasses this one.?Patricia (Dooley) Lothrop Green, St. George's School, Newport, RI
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Clarion Books (April 24, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395673224
• ISBN-13: 978-0395673225
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #393,476 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Done Story from Ovid's "Metamorphosis", August 28, 2010

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Marco Antonio Abarca (Colorado) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Atalanta's Race : A Greek Myth (Paperback)

As far as I know, Atalanta is the only female hero in Greek mythology. Thus, she holds a special place as I read Greek mythology to my six year old daughter. It is a shame that Atalanta is tricked by a few golden apples. But it is their human frailities that make Greek heroes so appealing. "Atalanta's Race" is everything you could hope. The book is well written and the illustrations are engaging. Both my daughter and myself enjoyed the book. Recommended.