King Midas and the Golden Touch

King Midas is a goodman, and he is adevoted father to hisdaughter, Aurelia. Yet Midasknows no music sweeter than therattling of golden coins, and themore gold he gathers, the morehe desires. When a mysteriousstranger offers to grant the kinga single wish as a reward for akindness, Midas does not hesi-tate: He wishes that all hetouches would turn to gold. Butall too soon, he learns that whatat first seems a blessing can alsobecome a curse.

The legendary man with the magic touch comes alive as a remarkably complex figure in this breathtaking new vision of perhaps the most universal of all Greek myths. Kinuko Y. Craft's radiant paintings glow with human drama, natural beauty, and golden splendor.

King Midas is not a cruel man, but his passion for gold surpasses all else, save his love for his daughter. If only everything he touched would turn to gold When Midas is granted that single wish, he rejoices -- until he nearly loses his beloved child to his greed. Here is a skillfully retold story of extraordinary resonance and wisdom, with a message no reader will soon forget. Radiant paintings glow with luxurious, golden, splendor.

Author: Charlotte Craft
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 04/28/1999
Pages: 32
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.90lbs
Size: 11.31h x 9.35w x 0.37d
ISBN: 9780688131654
Audience: Ages 4-8

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 4.7
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 70864 / King Midas and the Golden Touch


Review Citation(s):
School Library Journal 03/01/1999 pg. 191
Kirkus Review - Children 04/01/1999 pg. 541
Booklist 04/15/1999 pg. 1532
Publishers Weekly 05/10/1999 pg. 68
Newsweek 11/29/1999 pg. 86
New York Times 11/21/1999 pg. 50
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/1999 pg. 323 - Recommended, Satisfactory
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/1999 pg. 323 - Recommended, Satisfactory

About the Author
Craft, Kinuko Y.: -

Kinuko Y. Craft has won more than one hundred graphic-arts awards, including five gold medals from the Society of Illustrators. In 2008, she was inducted into their Hall of Fame. Her art has been in print for almost half a century, appearing on the covers of such prestigious publications as Time and Newsweek. Her illustrated books on Greek myths and of classic fairy tales have been published in the United States and other English-language countries, and in Europe, China, and Korea. Says Kirkus Reviews, "Every detail of her work--the flowers by a spring, a red cloak unfurled against a blue sky, moonlight on a tiger's back--is beautifully rendered." Beauty and the Beast is her ninth illustrated book.

Craft, Charlotte: -

Charlotte Craft studied comparative literature at Columbia University in New York. After graduating, she traveled to Japan, where she worked as an interpreter and photographer. She now lives in Scotland with her family. The New York Times complimented her first book, Cupid and Psyche, for its clear, simple text and noted that the book a excels in conveying the mythology.

In addition to Cupid and Psyche, she is also the illustrator of Marianna Mayer's Pegasus, Baba Yaga and Vasilisa the Brave, and The Twelve Dancing Princesses. Ms. Craft lives in Connecticut.

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