King Midas: The Golden Touch

"Blessed" by the god Dionysus with the ability to turn everything he touches to gold, greedy and ignorant King Midas quickly learns that one must be careful what one wishes for. When his food and drink turn to gold, as well as his servants and every other living thing in the palace, Midas is immediately penitent. "Why did I ever ask for such a stupid gift?" he cries, as his teardrops turn to gold.

This classic Greek myth may be familiar to many readers, but few will deny that it has ever been presented so spectacularly. Award-winning artist Demi's paintings are shot through with gold, against Mediterranean backdrops of sea blue and purple. Each page of this gorgeous picture book is bordered with golden patterns, and a four-page fold-out depicts Midas transforming his many-columned palace into solid, immobilized gold. Here is a perfect introduction to Greek mythology for young readers who will be as mesmerized as Midas by the allure of the golden touch--Demi's in this case! (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie Coulter