Most children will probably have heard of the classical myth of King Midas and the Golden Touch before they read this book, but they will probably never enjoy it more. As told by John Warren Stewig and illustrated with paintings by Omar Rayyan, King Midas is silly old man who lets his obsession with gold get the better of him. Rayyan's paintings are full of whimsy and you have to study each picture carefully or you might miss Icarus falling from the sky as his wings come apart, Midas's 9 1/2 size sandals from Apollo's Feet or the bag of Leopard Chow for "Spot." Rayyan makes the things turned to gold really leap off the page at you. This is a delightful book and it is a shame that most stories from classical mythology are so dark and tragic, because it would be nice to see Stewig and Rayyan take a crack at some other timeless tales. Final Note: The mysterious stranger who grants King Midas the Golden Touch is the god Bacchus (a.k.a. Dionysus, but since the story of Midas is told best by Ovid we go with the Roman name).

The story is a classic and Stewig did a wonderful job retelling it but in my opinion what really makes the book are the illustrations. Every time I go through the book I find something new in the pictures that I missed before. The book is full of visual jokes and allusions to greek mythology (like a cereal box full of "Poseidon Puffs" and a man with feathered wings falling from the sky). It is one of the most skillfuly (and definatly the most humerously) illustrated childrens books I have seen.

This is definitely a five-star picture book. The story is well told from the start. The text and illustrations break from the stark oral tradition style so often found in books of myths--the bright, yet blended watercolors and the smooth flow of the writing create a warmth and whimsy that welcomed me into the book and made me want to read it again as soon as I was finished. Not to mention, the pictures are hilarious (my favorite is the one of the king wearing his golden spectacles)! They practically tell a story of their own and are captivating in their detail with exotic animals and mythical creatures popping up in every corner. This book breathes life into an overly-well-known tale... what a marvelous introduction into the magic of mythology for any child!

Hans has his heart set on the Kings daughter but must convince her father of his worthiness. In order to become the best huntsman in the land, Hans makes a deal with a little man with cloved feet. In seven years Hans must go with the man and be his servant unless he can ask the man a question that he can NOT answer. After seven years the little cloven foot man returns, but Gretchen is not about to let her handsome husband go. Her clever solution to the problem gives the book its name. Talented new comer Patricia Wittmann delivers a winner with her beautiful water color paintings.