Icarus Was Ridiculous

What do our readers think of Icarus Was Ridiculous? (Generated from the text of reviews of the book)

Children find the book funny, easy to read and an enjoyable way to discover Greek myths, especially the Trojan Horse story and the silly modern twists. Some children feel that the separate mini-stories are not as strong as one bigger adventure, but they still enjoy Izzy’s lively storytelling and the illustrations.

What does the Pageticker team say about Icarus Was Ridiculous?

Icarus Was Ridiculous turns four famous Greek myths into lively, laugh-out-loud schoolroom storytelling, with Izzy’s gloriously muddled explanations leading the way. Pamela Butchart’s chatty humour and Thomas Flintham’s energetic illustrations make this an inviting introduction to mythology, especially for children who prefer their history with plenty of silliness. Classicists may find the retellings rather loose, but that is very much the point.

Genres

What is Icarus Was Ridiculous about?

Izzy and her friends embark on a school trip to the British Museum, where Izzy shares her unique and humorous retellings of four classic Greek myths. From Icarus's ill-fated flight to the deceptive Trojan Horse, these tales are reimagined with modern twists, making ancient stories relatable and entertaining for young readers.

About the author

Pamela Butchart is a much-loved author from Scotland who writes funny and exciting books for children. She is best known for her series about Izzy and her friends, like 'The Spy Who Loved School Dinners' and 'Baby Aliens Got My Teacher.' Pamela’s stories are full of laughter, surprises, and lots of school adventures.

Discussion ideas around Icarus Was Ridiculous

Izzy’s storytelling: How does Izzy make the Greek myths feel like stories about people at her school?

Learning from mistakes: What mistakes do the characters make, and what might they learn from what happens?

Old stories, new ideas: Which modern twist makes a myth more entertaining or easier to understand, and why?

Truth and imagination: Why do people keep retelling very old stories, even when nobody knows exactly what happened?