It was the first cowboy song!
Oh, beeeootiful cows,
Come follow me.
I'll show you what fun
A cow's life can be.
I'll turn your hooves backward
With just a small twist,
And off we'll go
And never be missed!"
I do hope you saw I Am Pan! when it was published a few years ago (Roaring Brook Press, 2016). If so, you are more than ready to hear this new story about Hermes, Pan's father. Hermes is gung ho to tell his own story, and Mordicai Gerstein is just the person to help him. Mr. Gerstein's portrayal of the messenger god is as free and easy as the god himself.
Born to Zeus and Maia:
'He had golden curls, dimples everywhere,
and a smile that lit up the room when he said
his first word ... GIMME! This baby was the
sweetest, cleverest, sneakiest, most mischievous,
and greediest baby ever born."
Nothing stops Hermes from being who he is. There is nothing he doesn't want, and most things he wants he takes. He is an inventor. His first day provides a lyre and music for the world. He loves his brother, Apollo, and travels with him to Mount Olympus where he meets more family members, accepting gifts from all. Unlucky for Apollo that Hermes has a hankering for his brother's cows. That spawns the Great Cow Mystery. And so it goes ...
I love each of the references to current or recent culture. It adds to the humor of the telling, and will give readers a laugh. Each of the book's stories involving the impetuous and conceited god is full of action and told at a quick pace. The dialogue is fantastic, and ensures that readers will want to keep reading from first page to last. Astute readers might, in fact, see some connection to the present political climate. First clue might be in Hermes' predominately orange coloring. Expressive artwork gives life to the supporting cast of other gods and characters.
An author's note and brief bibliography of resources are included.
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