If you like classical myths and detailed watercolor, Neil Philip and Isabelle Brent’s King Midas is perfect! With a mix of wonderful art mediums, they tell the ancient story of King Midas, using friendly vocabulary for children and detailed drawings. Just viewing the cover, you can tell what you are getting into; Brent shows us a wonderful building full of grandeur, with Midas unintentionally setting it to a metallic gold. Midas, as a baby, was born to be “the richest man in all the world,” a destiny the reader soon learns will lead to his own demise. Midas grows up, ruling the land wisely and well; his wealth lies not in currency, but in respect and love. The book naturally leads into the story of Midas saving Silenus, Dionysus’s companion, and the gift of anything Midas wants from Dionysus. Midas says “Grant that everything I touch may turn to gold.” At first this may seem great, but the book effectively impresses the overarching moral on young readers: Greed will lead to one’s demise. The story reaches a climax as the water Midas drinks turns into solid gold in his throat, and he must plead to Dionysus, asking for his normal human abilities back. To sum up the entire story, Dionysus instructs him to go to where the whole issue started, where he first met him. He washes off his gold ability, as if it’s a stain, and returns back to the normal life he desires. Through this story, King Midas learns that you should always remember what really matters and be careful what you wish for. - Callum (age 17)