Pegasus [Library Binding]

Marianna Mayer (Author), Kinuko Craft (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1998

Condemned by a jealous king, Bellerophon must win the trust of the legendary winged horse Pegasus or face certain death. From the poignant meeting the growing bond of friendship between horse and man to the dramatic slaying of the fearsome fire-breathing Chimera, this is an unforgettable adventure that will stir the imagination of young and old alike. Featuring glorious paintings that readers will want to savor again and again, here is a magnificent edition of a timeless Greek classic.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Though many young Disney fans now know Pegasus as the pet-like winged steed of Hercules, Mayer (Turandot) will broaden this perception by introducing Bellerophon, another mythical hero who teamed up with the magnificent horse. Bellerophon, the brave and handsome son of the king of Corinth, inspired the jealousy of many Greeks. One such enemy devises a plan that pits Bellerophon against the horrible demon-beast Chimera. Bellerophon's only hope of defeating the monster is to gain the trust and help of Pegasus. Mayer delves into works by Robert Graves and Erich Neumann for her classical-toned retelling. Her version contains the requisite cast of feisty gods and human royalty and all the intrigue and clearly drawn conflict that make mythology so compelling. Craft's (Cupid and Psyche) detailed, Italianate illustrations are similarly grand in scope. Each of her darkly shadowed paintings, featuring the rolling Greek countryside and figures dressed in flowing tunics, is framed in gold, like a museum piece. Several sweeping, dramatic scenes capture the colossal action of the tale. This bold adventure will likely encourage readers to investigate other myths and mythic heroes. Ages 5-up.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6?With splendid full-page and double-spread paintings and a text presented in a graceful antique typeface, Mayer and Craft have produced an appealing picture book for readers who love Greek myths. The story of Pegasus, the winged horse, and the young hero Bellerophon is smoothly told in a style that lends itself to reading aloud. The large, oil-over-watercolor illustrations, each delicately bordered with a decorative frame, seem to take their inspiration from the grand style of 18th-century classicism and the imaginative, scenic prospects of 19th-century romantic landscapes. They capture the drama of the mythic tale. Mayer bases the story on careful research in the standard collections of Greek myths and adds a touching ending by describing the friendship between man and horse?a bond that would last beyond the shared adventure. Pegasus, with its magical tale and rich paintings, is a fine example of the quality of writing and of art that can be achieved in the picture-book format.?Shirley Wilton, Ocean County College, Toms River, NJ
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Library Binding: 40 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers (April 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688133835
• ISBN-13: 978-0688133832
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,989,146 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very nice book, October 9, 2005

By 

K. - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pegasus (Hardcover)

I am happy with this purchase. The story is well-written with Craft's beautiful artwork. The story is about a king's son, Bellerophon, who was set up by a jealous foe to be killed. But the kindy king Bellerophon was sent to could not kill a good man by his own hand, so the kindly king sent Bellerophon on a challenge to kill the bloodthirsy Chimera monster... to certain death. But Bellerophon sought help from a wise man who told him to find Pegasus, that attacking Chimera from the air would put him at an advantage over other men that died trying. But Pegasus is hard to find and also wild. This is the story of how Bellerophon found Pegasus, how they became 'brothers in trust', and how together they were able to finally destroy Chimera. But will the kindly king that was told to kill Bellerophon be able to follow through once Bellerophon proves himself such a hero on top of being the good-hearted man that impressed him? And what about the kindly king's daughter who Bellerophon quickly fell in love with?

This picture book fits nicely into a collection of other story books of this genre, such as Beauty and the Beast and The Twelve Dancing Princesses, both written by Mayer (Beauty was illustrated by another great artist named Mercer Mayer, Craft illustrated Pegasus and 12 Dancing Princesses). The nice thing about this book is that the focus is not on romance, so it is quite a different story and one that my son may get more into when older (although I myself have a weakness towards the romances!). There is the slaying of Chimera, so it is more violent than the above mentioned fairy tales, but as I said, the 'dragon slaying' quality may appeal to boys.

Stories like this and most books in this genre don't spell out every action or emotion, but that's the nature of fairy tales. I think it's nice to use our imaginations to fill in the gaps and details; these stories are thought provoking.

My only complaint about Craft's artwork is that the characters in her various books look so similar. For example, the princess in Pegasus looks just like the main princess in 12 Dancing Princesses. And with her Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty books, I can't tell a difference between the two different woman. A lot of the princes look the same, and, in my opinion, they all have the face and headsize of a ten year old boy painted atop a man's body. Her artwork is beautiful, and I know that's the style, but it does kind of disappoint me, along with how the people look alike from story to story. But nonetheless, the art is great and beautifully detailed, and the stories are classic.

Children have always and will always be intrigued by fairy tales (and mythology), so that's what makes these beautiful books so great to own. They will be read and reread, with the artwork studied. My daughter is only 3 1/2 and already adores anything fairytale she is allowed to see: books, begs to watch my Faerie Tale Theatre collection (great shows from the 80s!), the Barbie fairytale stuff, you name it. That's why I consider books like these a good investment, and with care, they can be passed down.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "My Kingdom is in Need of a Hero...", April 25, 2006

By 

R. M. Fisher "Raye" (New Zealand = Middle Earth!) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Pegasus (Hardcover)

It was in reading this version of the "Pegasus" myth that I realised something that had never occurred to me before: K. Y. Craft's exquisite books aren't really for children. They are definitely targeted toward a children's reading-market, and some children would certainly enjoy reading them, but ultimately I believe that Craft's books are designed for an adult audience: they are so beautiful, so detailed, and written with such dense and sophisticated language (either by Marianne Mayer, as in this case, or by her other frequent collaborator Charlotte Craft), that most adults will find themselves placing her books on their own bookshelves rather than their children's.

"Pegasus" is one such example; melding Craft's extraordinary illustrations with a retelling of the myth in all its heroic glory. The handsome youth Bellerophon is charged with the task of destroying the three-headed Chimera, and to aid him in his quest he seeks out the winged horse Pegasus to act as his steed in defeating the monster. It's a simple enough story, and so Mayer adds further detail: Bellerophon's prolonged search for Pegasus, his love for the Princess Philonoe, his discovery of Pegasus at the fountain of Pirene (a mother who wept so long for her son that she eventually turned to stone), and the epic battle that rages between the two heroes and the monster.

Mayer does stop short of relating Bellerophon's ultimate fate: of being flung from Pegasus's back to his death after he attempts to fly to the gods' home; instead choosing to give the young hero a happy ending with his young wife...I suppose some liberties are taken for a young audience!

To match such an epic story are illustrations that seem to burst from the page. The Chimera tearing through the countryside, Pegasus appearing in the Eden-like garden, the fierce battle over the ocean, and the splendour of the winged Pegasus - K. Y. Craft's paintings are utterly glorious, and really have to be seen to be believed. Some are even given the space to fill two-page spreads, demanding that the reader simply stop and *look*.

Perhaps I should have said that Craft's books are able to be as enjoyed as much by adults as they are by children; for it is a very foolish adult that no longer believes they need to read legends and fairytales. All of Craft's books are a delight to the eyes, and (to date) she has illustrated two other Greek myths that also come highly recommended: "King Midas and the Golden Touch" and "Cupid and Psyche".

If Disney's version of "Hercules" made you groan with its complete rehash of Greek legend, then K. Y. Craft's version of "Pegasus" will set you (and your kids) straight again.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "An Exquisite Work of Art", February 21, 2006

By 

Viola (Ontario,Canada) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pegasus (Hardcover)

My 12 year old daughter discovered this book in the library and thought she was in heaven. We had no idea that books like this even existed. Not many parents in our area are even aware of them and they are not often signed out of the library. I feel so appreciative that there is a writer like Marianna Mayer and an illustrator the caliber of Kinuko Craft out out there creating such beautiful "works of art" for children. Pegasus can be appreciated by older children (and adults) because the language is elegant and sophisticated. The sumptuous illustrations are beneficial to children who are visual learners. Amazon is offering this book, with dust jacket, at an amazingly low price. Although Mayer/Craft are at the top of her list, she has also discovered other illustrators such as Ruth Sanderson and Gennady Spirin who Amazon brought to her attention after we ordered books by Mayer/Craft.