Description It is just these qualities that he brought to A Wonder Book. Children will be captivated by both the Greek myths and by the storyteller who is the ‘outer story’ of this book. The warmth of the narrator and the imaginations of the Greeks combine to make A Wonder Book one of the treasures of children’s literature for all time. Ages 10 and up. Teeming with monsters, magic, and adventure, this captivating children’s classic by one of America’s greatest writers retells six legendary tales of incredible warriors and evil creatures. Using a fictional narrator who tells engrossing stories to his young relatives on quiet hillsides, in secluded vales, and other attractive settings, Nathaniel Hawthorne draws his readers into the imaginative and ancient world of Greek mythology. There, they meet King Midas, the man with an unusual power, in “The Golden Touch”; Hercules, the legendary hero and strongman, in “The Three Golden Apples”; cruel witches with snakes for hair, in “The Gorgon’s Head”; and “The Chimaera,” a monster that is part lion, part goat, and part snake. An enchanting account of Pandora and an enticing box is recounted in “The Paradise of Children,” while “The Miraculous Pitcher” tells a heartwarming tale about the rewards of hospitality and goodness. An excellent way to acquaint youngsters with a number of classical heroes and evil-doers, A Wonder Book will enchant readers of all ages.
