Have you ever wondered how the Olympic Games began? There is a 2,500-year-old Greek myth that tells the story of the very first competitions.

"Once upon a time, long ago in ancient Greece, there lived a man who was not very nice. . . ." So begins this myth featuring some very bad behavior with appropriate punishment, an exciting chariot race with a surprise ending, and a young man who wins the hand of a princess. What all of this has to do with establishing the Olympic Games will become clear once you read the story!

Jean Richard's sprightly retelling of the ancient myth is enhanced by Kat Thacker's carefully researched artwork rendered in watercolor and mixed media on sepia prints. Her stylized figures and the banners along the top and bottom of the page reflecting the gods' actions on earth and on Mount Olympus were inspired by the art found on Greek pottery.

As is typical of Greek myths, the story has some bad moments—but the happy ending provides a wonderful link from a world of long ago to our world today where we still continue to enjoy the Olympic Games.

From the dust jacket