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Once Upon A Time...there was a Greedy King
Introduce your little one to fables and fairy tales from around the world with this spellbinding series of board books for children.
Meet greedy King Midas who foolishly wishes for everything he touches to turn to gold in this charming re-telling of the Greek myth. This story is the perfect length for bedtime reading and Maja Andersen's colourful illustrations bring the magic and wonder of the tale to life. Once your little one has finished reading the tale, they can learn facts behind the story, including the origins of the story and facts behind the Greek gods. It is sure to be a storybook that little ones will treasure forever.
Meet greedy King Midas who foolishly wishes for everything he touches to turn to gold in this charming re-telling of the Greek myth. This story is the perfect length for bedtime reading and Maja Andersen's colourful illustrations bring the magic and wonder of the tale to life. Once your little one has finished reading the tale, they can learn facts behind the story, including the origins of the story and facts behind the Greek gods. It is sure to be a storybook that little ones will treasure forever.
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
14 pages, Board Book
Published July 1, 2021
8 people want to read
About the author
D.K. Publishing
9,143 books2,013 followersDorling Kindersley (DK) is a British multinational publishing company specializing in illustrated reference books for adults and children in 62 languages. It is part of Penguin Random House, a consumer publishing company jointly owned by Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA and Pearson PLC. Bertelsmann owns 53% of the company and Pearson owns 47%.
Established in 1974, DK publishes a range of titles in genres including travel (including Eyewitness Travel Guides), arts and crafts, business, history, cooking, gaming, gardening, health and fitness, natural history, parenting, science and reference. They also publish books for children, toddlers and babies, covering such topics as history, the human body, animals and activities, as well as licensed properties such as LEGO, Disney and DeLiSo, licensor of the toy Sophie la Girafe. DK has offices in New York, London, Munich, New Delhi, Toronto and Melbourne.
Source: Wikipedia.
Established in 1974, DK publishes a range of titles in genres including travel (including Eyewitness Travel Guides), arts and crafts, business, history, cooking, gaming, gardening, health and fitness, natural history, parenting, science and reference. They also publish books for children, toddlers and babies, covering such topics as history, the human body, animals and activities, as well as licensed properties such as LEGO, Disney and DeLiSo, licensor of the toy Sophie la Girafe. DK has offices in New York, London, Munich, New Delhi, Toronto and Melbourne.
Source: Wikipedia.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 8, 2021
Looking for a picture book version of the story of King Midas? Look no further! It's Intertext time!
Intertexts are when an old story gets retold from another point of view. The themes can change, but the overall idea is the same. Once Upon a Time... There was a Greedy King helps tell the tale of King Midas (remember, that dude who touched things and it turned to gold? Not the guy from Fortnite, but he's an Intertext too in his own way).
This fun, little book has cartoon-y images that make this story very engaging. It's bright, colourful and packed full of images for the reader. It keeps your brain and eyes busy, which I really liked. It's King Midas... Of COURSE it needs to be colourful and engaging! What else would you expect from the King who thinks he's the cats meow?
This tale ends quite pleasant, unlike the origins of this tale. So it's a great book for children!
Overall, fun story! I highly recommend it for a short fairy tale re-telling read!
Three out of five stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and DK for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
Intertexts are when an old story gets retold from another point of view. The themes can change, but the overall idea is the same. Once Upon a Time... There was a Greedy King helps tell the tale of King Midas (remember, that dude who touched things and it turned to gold? Not the guy from Fortnite, but he's an Intertext too in his own way).
This fun, little book has cartoon-y images that make this story very engaging. It's bright, colourful and packed full of images for the reader. It keeps your brain and eyes busy, which I really liked. It's King Midas... Of COURSE it needs to be colourful and engaging! What else would you expect from the King who thinks he's the cats meow?
This tale ends quite pleasant, unlike the origins of this tale. So it's a great book for children!
Overall, fun story! I highly recommend it for a short fairy tale re-telling read!
Three out of five stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and DK for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
April 12, 2021
Thank you to Netgalley and DK for a free digital copy.
The story of King Midas in picture book form. The illustrations were lovely and the story a good one to teach how people are more important than things.
The story of King Midas in picture book form. The illustrations were lovely and the story a good one to teach how people are more important than things.
July 6, 2021
Loved reading this series. The beautiful illustrations by Maja Andersen really enhance the words, giving it so much depth. This one, a simple retelling of the story of King Midas, with a clear problem and solution. Perfect for young readers.
With a board book format, they'd be a great intro point for fables/moral/lesson in the early classroom.
Thank you to D.K. Publishing, Maja Andersen and Netgalley for an early copy to review.
With a board book format, they'd be a great intro point for fables/moral/lesson in the early classroom.
Thank you to D.K. Publishing, Maja Andersen and Netgalley for an early copy to review.
June 6, 2021
Board Book
I received an electronic ARC from DK Publishing through NetGalley.
Simplified retelling of the King Midas myth for young readers. DK maintains the essence of the myth by summarizing the highlights and using language toddlers and preschoolers will understand. A great family read to discuss legends from around the world. The final page spread offers more information about the myth and further information about Greek mythology. The illustrations capture the action and let readers feel like they are in the scenes with King Midas.
I received an electronic ARC from DK Publishing through NetGalley.
Simplified retelling of the King Midas myth for young readers. DK maintains the essence of the myth by summarizing the highlights and using language toddlers and preschoolers will understand. A great family read to discuss legends from around the world. The final page spread offers more information about the myth and further information about Greek mythology. The illustrations capture the action and let readers feel like they are in the scenes with King Midas.
April 17, 2021
My favorite thing about this book is the illustrations, I think Andersen did a great job. All of the colors are super bright and compliment each other very well. The main color theme is orange and yellow as it reflects the gold that the King has and I liked the choice of using this color often.
This is a board book which means the story is pretty short at only 16 pages.
While this is a retelling of the Greek myth I feel like it cut the story pretty short. I don’t think this would have bothered me as much had the wording been for a younger age. Usually, board books are made for younger children, 5 and under, but the word length and words, in general, seem more for students in elementary school. It would have made sense for the book to not include details about the whole myth had it seemed like the book was for a younger audience; however, the choice to use more complex words makes me think it is for older children with a higher reading level. I feel the book would’ve improved had it went one way or the other.
When I say the story felt like it was cut short I’m referring to the ending. When the daughter is turned into gold the king is supposed to realize his mistake and while this does happen we barely see any of this. We get one sentence where it says he “ran to the river in despair.” We don’t really see the king talk about his mistake which I feel is an important part of the book. I think the lesson that is supposed to be coming across to children would have a greater effect if there were more details.
Overall I’m just a bit disappointed with the book. I would’ve liked more detail since the book seems like it’s for older children. Again, I think the best part of the book is the illustrations.
This is a board book which means the story is pretty short at only 16 pages.
While this is a retelling of the Greek myth I feel like it cut the story pretty short. I don’t think this would have bothered me as much had the wording been for a younger age. Usually, board books are made for younger children, 5 and under, but the word length and words, in general, seem more for students in elementary school. It would have made sense for the book to not include details about the whole myth had it seemed like the book was for a younger audience; however, the choice to use more complex words makes me think it is for older children with a higher reading level. I feel the book would’ve improved had it went one way or the other.
When I say the story felt like it was cut short I’m referring to the ending. When the daughter is turned into gold the king is supposed to realize his mistake and while this does happen we barely see any of this. We get one sentence where it says he “ran to the river in despair.” We don’t really see the king talk about his mistake which I feel is an important part of the book. I think the lesson that is supposed to be coming across to children would have a greater effect if there were more details.
Overall I’m just a bit disappointed with the book. I would’ve liked more detail since the book seems like it’s for older children. Again, I think the best part of the book is the illustrations.
April 12, 2021
"Love is worth more than gold," is the moral of this story about greedy King Midas. The author does a good job at retelling this old greek myth in a way that young children can understand and appreciate. This book also includes an informative lesson on greek myths and the geography where this story takes place.
The art is bright and colorful. My only criticism is that the design would appeal to young children more than it would appeal to older children. Also, the reading level is better suited for older children. I think that this book could be improved if the language were simpler, or if it was designed for older children.
The art is bright and colorful. My only criticism is that the design would appeal to young children more than it would appeal to older children. Also, the reading level is better suited for older children. I think that this book could be improved if the language were simpler, or if it was designed for older children.
May 18, 2021
The remake of the classic King Midas who was a real king. He was from ancient Greece and the tale teaches about greed and the losses we suffer from it. It is a good lesson to teach our children and how it can lead to our demise. However, King Midas did have a 2nd chance and learned his lesson. We can teach that to our children as well.
A special thank you DK Children and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
A special thank you DK Children and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
October 16, 2021
A very successful retelling of the King Midas legend, where he gets granted a wish and asks for the golden touch. His daughter would of course have something to say about that – if he hadn't tried to take her hand in celebration. Greed, hubris, love – all are topics of this snappy story, and the text and illustrations both are superlative in how they convey it. The non-fiction pages are not a waste of time, either. Four and a half stars.
October 13, 2021
Our second book in the Once upon a time... series.
My 3.5-year-old daughter was a bit young for the story: she couldn't understand why someone would be more happy to have gold than flowers or a butterfly. A good point, isn't it?
Maja Andersen's visual universe is magical and fits well to the Greek atmosphere.
Many thanks for NetGalley and DK for an ARC.
My 3.5-year-old daughter was a bit young for the story: she couldn't understand why someone would be more happy to have gold than flowers or a butterfly. A good point, isn't it?
Maja Andersen's visual universe is magical and fits well to the Greek atmosphere.
Many thanks for NetGalley and DK for an ARC.
November 29, 2021
I really enjoyed reading this book with my daughter.
I thought that the illustrations in the book were wonderful and they really brought the story to life.
This was a retelling of the story of King Midas - one of my favorites.
It is 5 stars from me for this one, I thought it was a lovely book and one to treasure.
Very highly recommended!
I thought that the illustrations in the book were wonderful and they really brought the story to life.
This was a retelling of the story of King Midas - one of my favorites.
It is 5 stars from me for this one, I thought it was a lovely book and one to treasure.
Very highly recommended!
May 22, 2021
This book tells the tale of King Midas. In this retelling King Midas learns a valuable lesson, there are things more important than wealth. The vibrant pictures and additional facts about mythology add to the overall story. Children ages 6-12 would enjoy reading this book.
June 22, 2021
This is a great little board book! King Midas learns a lesson about money not being the most important thing in the world and I think kids will enjoy this re-telling. The illustrations are beautiful and bold and the story is short.
April 26, 2021
This was a cute story. I loved the message and the illustrations were very well done.
June 3, 2021
This book over simplifies the tale of King Midas. The illustrations are great and so is the information on the last page, but the story falls short.
September 23, 2021
3.5 stars -- Classic fables are retold for a younger audience. This board books tells us the King Midas story, although with a happier, more kid-friendly ending.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews