Summary:
This book tells various stories that chronicle the life of the Greek god Pan. The son of Dryope and Hermes, Pan was born with goat legs and two horns on top of his head. He was giggling and kicking and snickering from the moment he was born. He was a playful, mischievous god. His name means all, and he was named Pan because he delighted the hearts of everyone. Pan left Mount Olympus to live on Earth. He loved fun, but he loved naps too, and when he was disturbed from his nap, he let out an incredibly loud noise that scared all the creatures in the forest. He called this noise a "panic" and said he just invented it himself. Later, Pan falls in love with the moon, but the moon does not love him back. He disguises himself as a sheep to get the moon's affection, but upon realizing it was him, she disappeared for weeks. This was the first lunar eclipse. Pan and Zeus help defeat the monster Typhon, who turns into a volcano. It also tells the story of how Pan met Hercules. Pan marries Echo, and they have a daughter together, who is just as playful and mischievous as her father. Because she cannot stop playing pranks on people, Zeus turns Pan's daughter Iynx into a woodpecker for all eternity. Pan made his flute out of river reeds, and had a music contest with Apollo. Apollo won. Pan helps the Greek win the war against the Persians. Centuries after humans have all but forgotten about the Greek gods and goddesses, some say that when you get the feeling of wanting to run and jump and shout and play, it may be Pan's influence.

Personal Reaction:
I've always loved Greek mythology. I love the way the myths describe different natural events and even how this story explained the root of the word panic. I think Pan especially is fun for kids to read about because he has the same energetic, playful spirit that children should have.

Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. Have children make their own pan flute out of construction paper, water bottles, etc.
2. Have them choose a natural event, such as thunderstorms, floods, wind, etc. and write a story about how the gods or goddess caused it.
3. If they could choose to have animal features like Pan's goat legs or horns, what would they choose? Have them draw it. ( )

Although the book was enjoyable, I felt like the retelling of the myths were a bit too simplified, and seemed to some of the lesson behind the story out.

A very fun book full of Pan's adventures. The book is full of descriptions of each Greek God. Tales of Pan is an in depth look at this particular Greek god's life. ( )

This is a book of myths from the birth of Pan to the death of Pan. Each tale describes an event in Pan's life and/or explains some element of human existence (e.g. 'Pan Shouts and Invents Panic.') Within these tales, we are also introduced to a number of prominent Greek Gods such as Hercules, Hermes, Zeus, Apollo, etc. My favorite tale was ''The Great Music Contest,' featuring Pan and his uncle, Apollo. Mount Timolus is personified, as well. He is made up of all the people, young and old, all the plants and trees, and all the animals. Pan loves to play his pipes all over Arcadia, and he becomes quite arrogant with regard to his musical talent. Meanwhile, his uncle, Apollo, is known for playing the harp beautifully. Pan and Apollo get into an argument over who is the better musician. Mount Timolus suggests that there be a music contest to settle the dispute
Pan (and hopefully the readers) learn the importance of humility, especially toward familial elders. Pan sees that although he does make great music, he should not be so quick to assume that he is the best. Apollo is older, wiser, and more practiced than he is. At the end of the myth, Pan weeps at the beauty of Apollo’s music, acknowledges that Apollo has won, and “plays a little more quietly” from then on.
The illustration on the last page depicts Pan bowing down to Apollo, and it emphasizes the lesson of humility that he has learned under the influence of an elder.