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Hardcover
isbn: 9780823439423
April 16, 2019 | $18.99
isbn: 9780823439423
April 16, 2019 | $18.99
eBook
isbn: 9780823442034
April 16, 2019 | $11.99
isbn: 9780823442034
April 16, 2019 | $11.99
I Am Hermes!
Illustrator(s): Mordicai Gerstein
Paperback | Pages: 72
Size: 10.5 x 8.5 | USD: $9.99
ISBN: 9780823446742
Publication Date: July 7, 2020
Age: 8-12
Themes: Comics & Graphic Novels, LibraryCon 2021, LibraryCon Elementary School, LibraryCon Graphic Novels, LibraryCon Middle School
About the Book
Greek myths told with a comics style, "distinct art and side-splitting dialog."
"The world!" the newly born Hermes says. "It's even better than I expected! I love it! I want it all!"
On his first day of life, Hermes manages to trick a turtle into surrendering its shell and a ram into surrendering its horns, thereby inventing the lyre, music, and song! He also manages to steal his brother Apollo's precious cow. but later, he redeems himself by outwitting the giant brothers Otus and Ephialtes, who have kidnapped Mars.
These adventures and more, all derived from classical mythology, are told with great humor as well as a twenty-first century sensibility by the colossally talented Mordicai Gerstein. The art in this graphic novel is truly spectacular, with 250 illustrations executed by a Caldecott medal-winning master.
"The world!" the newly born Hermes says. "It's even better than I expected! I love it! I want it all!"
On his first day of life, Hermes manages to trick a turtle into surrendering its shell and a ram into surrendering its horns, thereby inventing the lyre, music, and song! He also manages to steal his brother Apollo's precious cow. but later, he redeems himself by outwitting the giant brothers Otus and Ephialtes, who have kidnapped Mars.
These adventures and more, all derived from classical mythology, are told with great humor as well as a twenty-first century sensibility by the colossally talented Mordicai Gerstein. The art in this graphic novel is truly spectacular, with 250 illustrations executed by a Caldecott medal-winning master.
BONUS MATERIALS

Educator's Guide
A GUIDE TO USING GRAPHIC NOVELS IN THE CLASSROOM
Extensive Educator's Guide with Discussion Questions and Activities Featuring Holiday House and Pixel+Ink Books
Poster
I AM HERMES! Mischief-Making Messenger of the Gods
Downloadable Poster with Activity Sheets on the Reverse
Educator's Guide
I AM HERMES: Mischief-Making Messenger of the Gods
Educator's Guide Featuring Activity Prompts★★★THE REVIEWS ARE IN!★★★
★ "Oh, that Hermes: We always knew he was mischievous. . . . A ticklishly madcap quality is I Am Hermes!'s calling card . . . This winning comics-style look at Hermes, messenger of the gods, capitalizes on the humorous aspect of his troublemaking."—Shelf Awareness, Starred Review★ "These are bright,noisy, fast-moving stories, and here (as elsewhere) Gerstein proves himself a genius of the comics form, especially of the speech balloon, as he creates layered conversations, rich with interior monologue, gossip, and prevarication."—The Horn Book, Starred Review
★ "With distinct art and side-splitting dialogue, Gerstein’s Greek mythology adaptation is unique and appealing. . . . A stellar addition for most collections"—School Library Journal, Starred Review
"Bursting with self-confidence, golden from helmet to winged sandals, and, on the cover at least, sprayed with sparkles, Hermes literally outshines a multihued, caricatured supporting cast of gods, demigods, mortals, and monsters parading through the loosely drawn sequential panels. . . . A highflying mythological memoir alight with joie de vivre."—Kirkus Reviews
"The sequential artwork sparkles with energy and color, and Gerstein excels at capturing the expressions of the gods, from the grouchy Zeus to the odd, misshapen, many-eyed servant god Argus. In this raucous graphic novel fun fest, any educational value is purely coincidental."—Publishers Weekly
"Gerstein infuses these stories with ample humor, largely fueled by Hermes’ outsized ego and a permissive attitude about his mischievousness. Sketchy, colorful, naive-style illustrations play up the humor with exaggerated facial expressions and slapstick antics go with cartoonish dialogue, which are all right at home in the large format comics panel layouts."—Booklist
"Vivid line and watercolor cartooning, chapter breaks, and a thoughtful balance between narration boxes and speech bubbles make this an easy sell for kids getting up to speed on longer comic books."—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books