Pandora has been warned about the forbidden jar. Although she is surrounded with gifts and has rooms, gardens, and a courtyard to explore, Pandora is drawn to one room--the one that holds that jar. Is Pandora’s curiosity a curse? In a seamless blend of prose and verse--and drawing from traditional mythological sources--Robert Burleigh dramatically tells Pandora's story for young readers. Complemented by Raul Colón's bold illustrations, Pandora is an unforgettable introduction to the classic myth. Grade 3-5-In retelling the myth, Burleigh concentrates on Pandora's obsession with the forbidden jar (rather than box, here). She tries to distract herself with arts and crafts; she considers the story of Prometheus (painted on the jar) as a warning, but temptation is too strong. The author incorporates the story of Pandora's creation, and emphasizes her courage, so that even her transgression seems daring rather than foolish. And finally Pandora clings, triumphantly, to the hope remaining behind. The text, arranged in lines like free verse, is rhythmic and clear, with short, simple sentences. A list of Greek names helps with identification, though not with pronunciation. The romantic watercolor colored-pencil illustrations have narrow borders and textured grounds. Blues and greens dominate the muted palette. Gently glowing gold highlights suffuse the scenes, whether in- or outdoors, contributing to the iconic flatness of the pictures. A certain stiffness in the figures (and awkwardly drawn feet) hardly detracts from the graceful drama that unfolds, signaled by the cover's silent-scream close-up. This Pandora is tempting. Patricia Lothrop-Green, St. George's School, Newport, RI Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. Gr. 3-6. The team that created Hercules (1999) offers another fine retelling of a Greek myth. A list of characters and a brief, lyrical foreword give the background, while the story stays focused on the drama of Pandora's longing to open the box and her terror after she succumbs to temptation. In the end, she's left with not only hope but also a steely determination to act and create positive change: "She and her people would find a way." Burleigh gets to the root of the story in spare, poetic language that reads like blank verse. Several of Colon's illustrations, in his signature style (textured, jewel colors and strong forms), lack some of the story's robust immediacy and action, but they are artfully composed, borrowing details from Greek art images, and will show well to a crowd. An elegant, accessible addition to mythology collections and curricular studies. Gillian Engberg Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved ROBERT BURLEIGH is the author of many highly praised books for children, including Goal and Hoops. He lives in Chicago, Illinois. RAUL COLÓN has illustrated more than fifteen books for children, including My Mama Had a Dancing Heart, a New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year. He lives in New City, New York.