(3) 4-6 This retelling of The Odyssey is primarily narrated by Odysseus's dog, Argos. The focus switches between Argos's experiences at home on Ithaka and what Odysseus is experiencing on his journey as relayed by the various animals who witness it. That the manner of retelling reflects the behavioral traits of the creatures in question adds a unique and enjoyable twist.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Neil Packer. In this companion volume to Cross's retelling of The Odyssey, the language is clear and easy to read, if a little over-adorned with exclamation marks. A handsome book design, eye-catching illustrations, and a clean typeface add to the clarity and accessibility. Although any sense of Homer's original poetry is lost, this may be a good choice for uninitiated readers.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(4) K-3 Ready-to-Read series. Illustrated by Dani Jones. These beginning readers provide simple adaptations of famous Greek myths, with slight alterations making the stories age-appropriate (e.g., the Cyclops gets poked in the eye, not blinded). Although the books are easy to read, much of the drama is lost in the texts' simplicity. The cartoony color illustrations are quite charming and keep the mood lighthearted. Pronunciation guides assist readers with Greek names. Review covers these Ready-to-Read titles: Do Not Open! and The One-Eyed People Eater.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) 4-6 Myth-O-Mania series. Narrator Hades, Greek god of the Underworld, tells of Odysseus's travails as they "actually" happened after the end of the Trojan War. The titular hero, who is traditionally portrayed as a witty thinker, is here presented as more buffoonish than usual, in keeping with the series' humorous slant on these ancient myths. This is no stuffy retelling but a fresh take on an oft-told tale.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Neil Packer. Homer's epic adventure tale gets another retelling. The language lacks some of the poetry of the original but is clear and easy to read. The mostly attractive illustrations tradeoff between rich colors and stark black and white; some are reminiscent of the black figure illustrations on ancient Attic pottery, while others are comprised of odd-looking figures with strange proportions.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) K-3 Greek Myths series. Illustrated by Nadine Takvorian. Each book provides a brief glimpse into a particular episode in Greek mythology. Although part of larger mythic cycles, the tales work well as stand-alone stories. Three different illustrators solidly convey the emotional impact of each narrative. The texts are somewhat stiff but easy to read and follow. Lists of characters assist with pronunciation. Reading list. Glos. Review covers these Greek Myths titles: Medusa's Stony Stare, Odysseus and the Cyclops, and Pandora's Vase.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) YA Barrett casts her reimagining of Homer's Odyssey in the voice of Telemachos--here a soft, spoiled boy--who reluctantly heads off to seek his long-absent father, Odysseus. The quick-paced tale highlights strength, bravery, generosity, and compassion. Barrett uses the contrast between Homer's heroic characters and the "real" versions Telemachos encounters to underscore that both art and family memory are vulnerable to false romanticism.

Reviewer: Deirdre F. Baker

(1) YA Citing classic translations of The Odyssey as sources, Hinds retells Homer's epic in pictures plus a judicious minimum of words, sticking to the original intricate, twenty-four-chapter order. Brief as the text of this graphic version is, it makes an accessible and effective complement to the dramatic pencil and watercolor art that explicates and interprets the story. A worthy companion to great predecessors.

Reviewer: Joanna Rudge Long | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2010

(4) 4-6 This oversize picture book, formatted like a graphic novel, retells Homer's The Odyssey. Clipped cadences describe the Greek hero's voyage home after the Trojan War: "Ulysses seeks among the waves / The invisible route to Ithaca." The somber illustrations' elongated figures and variegated hues may be off-putting to some, but the helpful panel-to-panel arrows keep readers on track.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Christina Balit. The vivid colors and gorgeous geometric designs that portray the land and seascapes of ancient Greece, as well as the faces and forms of men, gods, and monsters, make this prose abridgment of Homer's epic a visual delight. The authors simplify the complicated tale of Odysseus, focusing on his bold escapades and family reunion, without sacrificing richness of language and imagery.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(3) 4-6 Heroes series. For those who aren't ready to tackle Homer's epic poem, this prose adaptation of The Odyssey does a creditable job disseminating the tale. McCaughrean clearly relishes the epic's adventure and drama, and she captures a bit of Homer's style by repeating her phrases and descriptions.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(3) 4-6 Tales from the Odyssey series. Illustrated by Troy Howell. Using elementary language and an open design with short chapters and a minimum of text on each page, Osborne retells the final books of the Odyssey, Odysseus's homecoming and battle against the suitors. Although the story has been simplified, Osborne retains much of the language and all the emotional immediacy. A softly sketched map and portraits of the gods decorate the endpapers.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) 4-6 Tales from the Odyssey series. Illustrated by Troy Howell. Using short, simple sentences and a small amount of text per page, Osborne continues to retell the story of Odysseus's return in disguise to his island and his plan to attack his wife's suitors. Although the illustrations are disappointingly few and limited to ornaments and endpapers, the well-shaped story's fast pace, emotional relevance, and easy vocabulary should attract young readers. Glos.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) 4-6 Tales from the Odyssey series. Illustrated by Troy Howell. In simple, accessible prose, with the text on each page kept invitingly brief, Osborne recounts a few episodes from Homer's Odyssey: the Sirens, Scylla and Charybdis, and the cattle of Helios. Foreshadowing helps readers keep track of their place in the narrative. However, the illustrations (a map, portraits of the gods, and a chapter-head ornament) are disappointingly meager. Pronunciation guides are included.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) 4-6 Tales from the Odyssey series. Illustrated by Troy Howell. In accessible, easy language, with the text kept to a minimum per page, Osborne retells the Odyssey scenes in which Penelope and her son Telemachus fend off the suitors in Ithaca. The story has been arranged to help young readers follow along, although the illustrations (a map, portraits of the gods, and a chapter-head ornament) are disappointingly meager. Pronunciation guides are included.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) 4-6 Tales from the Odyssey series. Illustrated by Troy Howell. In these series books, Osborne skillfully relates episodes from Homer's epic poem the Odyssey. Brief chapters move these engaging retellings along at a snappy pace, and small vignettes of art open every chapter. Each book contains a note about Homer and the Odyssey and a note on sources. A glossary of gods and goddesses, with pronunciation, is included. [Review covers these Tales from the Odyssey titles: The Land of the Dead and The One-Eyed Giant.]

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) 4-6 Tales from the Odyssey series. Illustrated by Troy Howell. In these series books, Osborne skillfully relates episodes from Homer's epic poem the Odyssey. Brief chapters move these engaging retellings along at a snappy pace, and small vignettes of art open every chapter. Each book contains a note about Homer and the Odyssey and a note on sources. A glossary of gods and goddesses, with pronunciation, is included. [Review covers these Tales from the Odyssey titles: The Land of the Dead and The One-Eyed Giant.]

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) 4-6 Young Heroes series. Thirteen-year-old Odysseus is brash and wily, and his zest for adventure helps him rescue his young comrades from danger after he, Mentor, Penelope, and Helen are captured by pirates, stranded at sea, and then thrown into the Labyrinth to be killed by a many-headed serpent. The fast-paced, action-packed novel is a good introduction to these characters from Homer's classic poem.

Reviewer: Anne St. John

(4) YA Although the title suggests that this story belongs to Odysseus's wife Penelope, who waited twenty years for the warrior-king to return from the Trojan War, the novel actually retells portions of his adventures through the eyes of four women--Penelope, Circe, Athena, and Eurycleia (his old nursemaid). Girls drawn in by the female point of view may ultimately be disappointed that the entire story still revolves around Odysseus.

Reviewer: Anne St. John

(4) 4-6 Dorling Kindersley Classics series. Illustrated by Stuart Robertson. Mitchell retells Homer's Odyssey in clear prose that captures both the story and the complex character of Odysseus; the accompanying illustrations portray the majesty of this epic. While the historical information is useful, the inclusion of annotated color photographs and maps in sidebars is distracting.

Reviewer: Pamela McCuen