Customer Reviews

Monster in the Maze: The Story of the Minotaur (All Aboard Reading)

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I have quickly become a fan of Susan Swan's cut paper illustrations of stories for young readers taken from classical mythology. "Monster in the Maze: The Story of the Minotaur" tells the tale of the Greek hero Theseus. Each year the people of Athens must send fourteen young men and women to Crete to be sacrificed to the Minotaur, a half-man half-bull who lives in the great labyrinth. But this year, when the Athenians are having their lottery, Theseus, the son of the King grabs the last fatal white stone and declares he will end this ghastly tribute by slaying the Minotaur. On Crete the young princess Ariadne decides to help Theseus with his task and sends our hero into the labyrinth with a dagger and a spool of thread.

As told by Stephanie Spinner, this Level 2 (Grades 1-3) book strips the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur to the, pardon the expression, bare bones. We do not learn the name of the kings of Athens and Crete, that the Minotaur was the king's son, that Ariadne never made it back to Athens, and why still using the black sail on the voyage home was a big mistake. But there will be other versions of this tale that students will be able to read as they get older. What is important here is that these books develop a love of mythology in young readers. Swans artwork is captivating, especially when she constructs a three-dimensional maze in which the Minotaur stalks Theseus. The main shot of the Minotaur is especially impressive. Teachers and parents should be forewarned that kids are going to want to try their hand at this type of artwork once they read this book. Fortunately I know such wonders are well beyond my meager talents. Sigh.