
Reach for this book when your child is struggling with the 'gimme-gimmes' or finds it difficult to appreciate what they already have. While it is easy for children to focus on material wants, this retelling of the classic Greek myth provides a safe, metaphorical space to discuss how greed can blind us to the things that truly matter. Through the story of a king who values gold above all else, only to lose his most precious daughter to his own wish, children learn the vital lesson that some treasures cannot be replaced by riches. Craft's version is particularly noted for its lush, detailed illustrations that capture the beauty of the myth while emphasizing the heavy emotional weight of Midas's mistake. It is an excellent tool for modeling how to take responsibility for one's errors and seek redemption. For children ages 5 to 9, it serves as a powerful conversation starter about gratitude, the consequences of our choices, and the depth of parental love.
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Sign in to write a reviewThe protagonist's greed is the central conflict, showing the consequences of poor values.
The book deals with the 'death' of a child, though it is metaphorical and temporary as she is turned into a gold statue. The resolution is hopeful and secular, focusing on the character's internal change and a magical quest for a cure.
A 7-year-old child who is highly focused on collecting 'stuff' or toys and needs a gentle but firm moral lesson on why people are more valuable than things.
Parents should be prepared for the scene where the daughter is turned into gold. It is emotionally heavy and may require pausing to reassure the child that a solution is coming. Reading cold is fine, but focus on the king's sadness to drive the point home. The parent might choose this after hearing their child say, 'I wish I had everything in the world,' or after a particularly difficult bout of entitlement or lack of gratitude for gifts.
Younger children (5-6) focus on the 'cool' magic of the gold and the sadness of the daughter-statue. Older children (8-9) grasp the irony of the situation and the concept of 'the grass is always greener.'
Unlike many dry mythology collections, Craft’s version centers the emotional relationship between the father and daughter, making the moral lesson feel personal rather than instructional.
King Midas is a wealthy ruler who loves two things: his gold and his daughter, Aurelia. When he is granted a wish by a mysterious stranger, he asks that everything he touches turn to gold. He soon realizes this 'gift' is a curse as he cannot eat, drink, or even hug his child without turning them into lifeless statues. He must find a way to reverse the magic through humility and sacrifice.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.