Though many young Disney fans now know Pegasus as the pet-like winged steed of Hercules, Mayer (Turandot) will broaden this perception by introducing Bellerophon, another mythical hero who teamed up with the magnificent horse. Bellerophon, the brave and handsome son of the king of Corinth, inspired the jealousy of many Greeks. One such enemy devises a plan that pits Bellerophon against the horrible demon-beast Chimera. Bellerophon's only hope of defeating the monster is to gain the trust and help of Pegasus. Mayer delves into works by Robert Graves and Erich Neumann for her classical-toned retelling. Her version contains the requisite cast of feisty gods and human royalty and all the intrigue and clearly drawn conflict that make mythology so compelling. Craft's (Cupid and Psyche) detailed, Italianate illustrations are similarly grand in scope. Each of her darkly shadowed paintings, featuring the rolling Greek countryside and figures dressed in flowing tunics, is framed in gold, like a museum piece. Several sweeping, dramatic scenes capture the colossal action of the tale. This bold adventure will likely encourage readers to investigate other myths and mythic heroes. Ages 5-up. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Gr. 3^-6. In measured prose, Mayer retells the Greek story of Pegasus and how he helped Bellerophon slay the Chimera. Bellerophon is a young man who loves the king of Lycia's daughter. Given the seemingly impossible task of slaying the Chimera, a monster who ravages the countryside, Bellerophon consults a soothsayer, who tells him to ask Pegasus for help. Bellerophon befriends the winged horse and flies on his back to the Chimera's cave, where the youth slays the beast and wins the hand of his beloved. Painted in oil over watercolors, the illustrations have a luminous quality. Their style, romantic and at times recalling the pastoral tradition, may not be in vogue, but their dramatic and narrative power, particularly evident in the action scenes, has a timeless quality well suited to the illustration of mythology. In an age when many writers and illustrators look upon traditional stories mainly as fodder for parody, it's a pleasure to find a heroic tale told and illustrated with dignity. Writing and art combine to make this picture book a memorable interpretation of a Greek myth. --Carolyn Phelan

Gr 4-6‘With splendid full-page and double-spread paintings and a text presented in a graceful antique typeface, Mayer and Craft have produced an appealing picture book for readers who love Greek myths. The story of Pegasus, the winged horse, and the young hero Bellerophon is smoothly told in a style that lends itself to reading aloud. The large, oil-over-watercolor illustrations, each delicately bordered with a decorative frame, seem to take their inspiration from the grand style of 18th-century classicism and the imaginative, scenic prospects of 19th-century romantic landscapes. They capture the drama of the mythic tale. Mayer bases the story on careful research in the standard collections of Greek myths and adds a touching ending by describing the friendship between man and horse‘a bond that would last beyond the shared adventure. Pegasus, with its magical tale and rich paintings, is a fine example of the quality of writing and of art that can be achieved in the picture-book format.‘Shirley Wilton, Ocean County College, Toms River, NJ (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Ordered to kill the fire-breathing, dragon-clawed Chimera, the Greek hero Bellerophon enlists the help of the winged horse Pegasus. Together they slay the beast and in the process develop a brotherly love for each other. Dark, painterly illustrations set in gold frames heighten the mysticism in this lyrical interpretation of the Greek myth. Horse fans will love this one. From HORN BOOK Fall 1998, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

In the heightened language and measured cadence of a classic hero's tale, Mayer (Turandot, 1995, etc.) relates the story of the winged horse Pegasus and the brave Bellerophon. The fair young man is sent to subdue the monster Chimera, who devours people and lays waste to the lands. He learns he can only hope to defeat the monster if he can convince the magical flying horse to carry him into battle. Bellerophon meets Pegasus at a sacred spring, and the goddess Athena reminds him in a dream that the bridle of trust will hold him and his steed together as equals. Defeating the Chimera in a wild battle, he marries a princess and rules with her, but seeks Pegasus throughout his life. Craft's oil on watercolor paintings are splendid foils for this text. She uses chiaroscuro to powerful effect, and every detail of her workŽthe flowers by a spring, a red cloak unfurled against a blue sky, moonlight on a tiger's backŽis beautifully rendered. She provides echoes of well-known paintings in her illustrations, and each has a border of motifs taken from ancient goldwork. Pegasus is a true visionŽCraft revivifies the now-debased winged-horse imageŽand the Chimera is quite terrifying. Children hungry for heroes will find this robust fare for their imaginations. (Picture book/folklore. 6-9)