Let's Go, Pegasus! [Hardcover]

Jean Marzollo (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3–An engaging retelling of Ovid's version of the Greek myth about how Perseus defeated Medusa and created Pegasus. Owls serve as a Greek chorus, even explaining their own function: We listen to what's going on and then we talk about it. Even the youngest participants will be able to perform as the chorus because the owls' final words are always, Hoot! Hoot! and meant to be read just before the page is turned. The illustrations, painted in watercolor and Chinese ink and then scanned and assembled like a collage, are colorful and inviting. Different fonts enable readers to distinguish between narration and dialogue. Perseus is portrayed as a man wise enough to ask for and accept help in a challenging situation, and then follow through in accomplishing the goal. This introduction to Greek mythology will be a storytime favorite.–Alexa Sandmann, Kent State University, OH
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About the Author

Jean Marzollo is the author of over one hundred books, including the best-selling, award-winning I SPY books.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers (July 12, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316741361
• ISBN-13: 978-0316741361
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,337,573 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jean Marzollo was born and raised in Manchester, Connecticut.

She says, "As a child, I loved to read and sew dolls' clothes, one outfit after another. I am a graduate of Manchester High School, the University of Connecticut, and the Harvard Graduate School of Education. After working as a high school English teacher and editor of Scholastic's "Let's Find Out" kindergarten magazine with Carol Devine Carson for 20 years, I began writing children's books. I have written over 130 books, including the award-winning, best-selling I SPY series for children, written completely in rhythm and rhyme. Rhythm and rhyme are like music without the tune; they lure and excite the ear. Children love rhythm and rhyme, and so do I. Do you know that I SPY actually has the same rhythm as "Old Mother Hubbard" and also rap? I treasure the beautiful, intricate photographs by Walter Wick in the I SPY books. When I wrote the first I SPY book, I automatically thought of kindergarten children so everything that I called for was concrete, something a 5-year-old can find. The result is a hunting game that children and grownups can play together successfully. Sometimes children are better than their parents! In recent years I took up painting and have begun to illustrate my own "books on paper" and "books online." You can see them on my website: jeanmarzollo.com. Writing and illustrating picture books today is as much fun as sewing dolls' clothes was when I was in third grade. As soon as I'm done with one book, I'm happily compelled to start the next."

Jean Marzollo lives in Upstate New York.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mythology classics, August 2, 2006

By 

Camille "at the BookMoot!" (Texas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Let's Go, Pegasus! (Hardcover)

With Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson rocking the house, I cannot think of a better time for a new series of mythology books. I know kids who are flocking to the internet to look up Greek gods and goddesses as they read the Riordan's books. Gifted and Talented kids are also often drawn to mythology as a subject.

The narrative is written in clear language while dialog is set in an easy-to-read font that runs in slightly curved lines above the speaker. A narrow banner of owls as a Greek chorus, runs along the bottom of each page. The chorus addresses the reader with comments and questions about the story along the way. Marzollo instructs us to read the chorus last, before turning the page.

Watercolor illustrations with dynamic inked outlines carry the reader (or listener) through the tale. Marzolla has kept all the important elements of the original story yet it is accessible to many levels of readers.

Perseus must save his mother, Danae from marriage with the king. The king, suspecting this kid might be trouble, sends Perseus off to kill the monster, Medusa.

Luckily, Athena and Hermes are around to lend equipment, help and advice. I did not know the origins of Pegasus so the ending was fun for me.

I am looking forward to seeing more of this series. Bravo!