This book is an accurate but child friendly version of the story of Arachne as told in Ovid’s Metamorphoses. It leans into the story’s fairy-tale qualities. Arachne’s pride is emphasized, and Athena arrives like a disguised fairy to test her. Although this book predates the prologue to Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, young readers may recognize the parallels. They will particularly enjoy Arachne’s well-earned transformation, which takes on comic tones as her hair, nose, and ears fall off. The illustrations are sketchy and dream-like, and illustrator Susan Kennedy adds to the fairy-tale impression by dressing the characters in a medieval rather than Greek style. This softens the harsher elements of the story.

Parents should be aware that this is a close adaptation of Ovid’s original. Arachne’s tapestry is carefully indistinct. The gods are acting foolishly and turning into animals to chase women. However, the story states clearly that Arachne is in the process of hanging herself before Athena stops her. Still the story finds a happy note to end on, with Arachne and her descendants weaving beautiful webs to this very day.

The sentences are short and easy to read, although the vocabulary may challenge new readers. Pamela Espeland helpfully defines some of the unusual vocabulary in the text. For example, she writes that “Even the nymphs came to watch Arachne. The names were young goddesses who stayed young forever.” The illustrations support the narrative well and will help young readers understand difficult passages. Additionally, there is a pronunciation guide in the back, and a helpful introduction “About the Story” before the narrative starts, all in accessible language.   – Krishni Burns