I Am Pan! - Hardcover

Mordicai Gerstein was born in in Los Angeles, California, where he attended Chouinard Art Institute. He then went to New York City and worked at designing and directing animated films for television and met the writer, Elizabeth Levy, with whom he created the Something Queer is Going On series of mystery picture books. This experience inspired him to write and illustrate over forty of his own books, several of which have been named New York Times Notable and Best Illustrated Books. He received the 2004 Caldecott Medal for The Man Who Walked Between the Towers. Mordicai lives in western Massachusetts with his wife, Susan.

Gr 1-4-Pan is a loud, energetic, and mischievous little god. Born to Hermes, he is the apple of his parents' eye, as well as a joy to all in Olympus...for a while. The other gods begin to tire of his wild antics and silly ways, so they suggest he head off to Arcadia, where there are pigs, goats, hills, streams, waterfalls, bees, beekeepers, fountains, and more to keep him entertained. Pan thinks this is a fabulous idea, and the people are thrilled with his arrival. Pan promises to protect the animals and people of the kingdom but makes one small requirement: that they are quiet when he takes his nap. This delightful retelling of the origins of the Greek god Pan is told in graphic picture book format. The story is very easy to understand and is a terrific introduction into Greek mythology. The text is humorous, fast-paced, and exciting; kids are sure to wish that the story would go on. The illustrations are fun and blend seamlessly with the text, making the story engaging. The format is perfect for packing tons of humor, whimsy, and action on every page. VERDICT An irresistible introduction to the god and to Greek mythology in general.-Amy Shepherd, St. Anne's Episcopal School, Middleton, DEα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.