VOYAGE TO THE PHAROS

It’s not often that the youngest readers have the opportunity to get swept away on a heart-pounding adventure, but this fictional voyage delivers just that. Set more than 2,000 years ago in ancient Greece, this tale features a brave young boy, Dino, who has been begging his father, a ship’s cook, to let him come along. He especially wants to see the Pharos lighthouse in Alexandria, Egypt, one of the tallest buildings in the world. Finally his father lets him come, even though it’s early in the season, when gales are common. When the inevitable storm lands, one wonders why his father would put Dino in harm’s way, but hey, things were probably a little different back then, and the ship prevails. Roth’s sweeping, painterly landscapes, aerial views and dramatic close-ups of the windblown characters add a classically cinematic touch. Innocent and simple enough for younger audiences with plenty of suspense for the older set. Get some popcorn and give those kids a break from Pixar. (author’s note) (Picture book. 5-9)