Icarus Was Ridiculous

Izzy and her friends are on a class trip to the British Museum. When one classmate fails to pay attention to the teacher, holding everyone up, Izzy’s inspired to tell the story of Icarus who, after failing to listen to his dad’s instructions, flies too close to the sun with his wax wings, with catastrophic results.

This is Ancient Greece as you’ve never seen it before. Concerned about the sticky situations her friends keep getting into, Izzy retells four different Greek myths, each in her own unique and hilarious way. In Izzy’s versions, people drink cappuccinos and eat fish fingers; Paris goes to Sparta to check out their fluffy carpets; Icarus is a grumpy teen; and King Midas has a meltdown if his beans touch his chicken goujons. The Ancient Greeks all get their comeuppance of course, from growing donkey’s ears to invasion via a wooden horse, but will Izzy’s friends learn from the Greeks’ mistakes?

A truly original take on some famous classical tales – though perhaps better appreciated if you know the originals. The way in which Izzy characterises the stars of each story through their behaviour is especially enjoyable, and Thomas Flintham’s illustrations add that extra level of fun.