This book is good for people just starting out on studying mythology. It was a little simplistic but easy to follow, some books on mythology can getting confusing if you aren't good at remembering who is who but this one was easy to keep track with.

My young daughter has gotten into mythology and ancient religion and this is one of the few books I've found geared towards the young reader. It contains a lot of good beginner information about the Gods/Goddesses of Egypt. I highly recommend this book for the Level 2 reader.

This is the second book we read in our recently formed Mother-Daughter Book Club. The members of our Club are third grade students at Calvary Episcopal School in Richmond, Texas. Our girls had this to say about the book: "Little Sure Shot is the best book I've ever read. I really recommend this book. Annie Oakley is the best shot I have ever heard of. She does shooting tricks and sounds like a nice girl." Caitlin, age 8 "I liked this book because she practices and does not give up but I did not like this book because it is a little sad. P.S. You should read this book." Sarah, age 8 "You should read Annie Oakley because she can shoot a cigarette out of a prince's mouth." Grethe, age 8 "I liked this book because Annie was famous, she was a great shot, she was nice, she was the only girl that could shoot like she did, she got married, she made lots of money, she was kind and she found that she could put food on the table." Christine, age 8 If you work hard, you could do anything." Lauren, age 8 "She was a good shot and a nice person. She was very poor. She lived a long time ago. She could do lots of things with a gun." Megan, age 8 A couple of the girls read this book several times and loved it which made their moms happy as well.

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.

I can't see why an abridgement is necessary for Pinnochio under any circumstances. The book is very short and no chapter could fill more than two typed pages. Any child should be able to digest the unabridged translation. When you strip a story down to a mere plot summary, you remove the details which make literature exciting and stimulating for both children and adults. Perhaps this is marketed toward extremely busy parents who don't have the five minutes it takes to read an entire chapter aloud.

Indeed this is a "World's Classic." I would like to see it preserved as the author intended.

Collodi good, abridgement bad.

I indeed agree that this movie is a wonderful movie, it was funny, and sad...but that just makes it even more great....I was wondering if anyone doesn't mind helping me, I need to buy the CD Soundtrack to this movie..Can anyone help me???

Collodi knew how mischievous children can be.He was one himself when he went to school in Flroence.In his later years,he was a school reforms official,and wrote many textbooks.He believed the best way to teach is by entertaining as well.This certainly shows in Pinocchio.The little Blockhead gets into all kinds of scrapes because he rushes into things with little consideration.Pinocchio is tricked by the Fox&Cat, advised by the Talking-Cricket,helped by the Fairy with Blue Hair-and ultimately realizes that if he wants to become a real boy,his inner self must be transformed first.The final chapter is a true indication of how Pinocchio has fully become a son to Gepetto.Collodi's story has many film-television-stage versions,but the original is a true classic.