A parent might reach for this book when their child feels different, loud, or out of place, and needs to see their unique qualities as a source of strength and joy. Mordicai Gerstein's 'I Am Pan!' is a funny, boisterous origin story of the half-goat Greek god. We follow Pan from his startling birth to his discovery of music and his purpose as the god of the wild. It gently touches on themes of rejection and finding one's identity, but its overall tone is one of pure, energetic celebration. Perfect for early chapter book readers (ages 7-10), this story is a fantastic, lighthearted way to introduce Greek mythology and open conversations about what makes each of us special.
The book deals with themes of identity and being different through the metaphorical lens of a mythological character. Pan's initial rejection by the nymphs due to his appearance is handled lightly and quickly resolved by his father's acceptance. The story of Syrinx is significantly softened for a young audience: she transforms into reeds to avoid marriage, and Pan honors her by creating music, reframing a potentially dark myth into a story of creative inspiration. The resolution is entirely hopeful, celebrating Pan's nonconformity. The approach is secular, treating the gods as fantasy characters.
Ideal Reader
The ideal reader is a 7 to 9-year-old who is energetic, maybe a bit loud, and feels like they don't quite fit into neat boxes. This book is for the child who loves nature, makes up their own songs, and marches to the beat of their own drum, offering validation for their 'wild' spirit.
Parent Prep
The book can be read cold without much preparation. A parent might want to preview the scene where the nymphs reject baby Pan (p. 15-17) or the story of Syrinx's transformation (p. 60-65) to be ready for any questions. Providing context that these are stories from ancient Greek myths can add another layer to the reading experience. A parent might seek this book after hearing their child say something like, "Why am I so weird?" or "Nobody else likes to do this." It's a perfect response to a child feeling self-conscious about their unique interests, appearance, or high energy levels.
Age Experience
A younger reader (7-8) will connect with the slapstick humor, the animal characters, and Pan's exuberant shouting. They'll absorb the surface-level message: being different is fun. An older reader (9-10) will appreciate the clever retelling of myths, understand the deeper theme of finding one's purpose, and may connect Pan's journey to their own developing sense of self and social identity.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many books about 'being different' that can feel gentle but somber, 'I Am Pan!' is a boisterous, loud, and joyful celebration of nonconformity. It uses the accessible and engaging framework of Greek mythology to tell a universal story with infectious energy and humor. Gerstein's lively, comic-like illustrations are integral to the book's unique, exuberant tone.
Read plot summary
This early chapter book recounts the origin story of the Greek god Pan. Born with goat legs and horns to the god Hermes and a nymph, Pan is initially rejected for his appearance. He is taken to Mount Olympus but finds he prefers the wilderness of Arcadia. Through a series of episodic adventures, Pan discovers his love for nature, his friendship with animals, his powerful shout, and his talent for music after creating the first panpipes from the reeds that were once the nymph Syrinx. The story follows his journey of self-discovery as he embraces his unique identity and becomes the god of the wild.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
When the nymphs first saw baby Pan, they screamed and ran away. How do you think that made Pan feel? What makes Pan's father, Hermes, react differently?
2
Pan spends a lot of time wondering what he is 'for.' He tries different things, like shouting and making music. What do you think your special purpose or talent is?
3
Pan makes his famous pipes from the reeds that were once the nymph Syrinx. He does this to remember her song. Why do you think music and art are powerful ways to remember things?
4
Pan loves living in the wild with animals more than on Mount Olympus with the other gods. Why do you think he feels more at home in nature? Where do you feel most at home?
