Inspiring Young Readers

posted on 01 Oct 2026

Little Minotaur by Gaia Alessi

The recent ‘rediscovery’ and reworking of the great stories of the Classical literature of Greece and Rome has not only breathed new life into those ancient tales but they have revealed just how universal and relevant those stories are. You may well have heard of the story of the Minotaur – a half man/half bull creature trapped in a labyrinthine maze by King Minos and who was eventually slain by the hero Theseus. 

But have you ever wondered what the Minotaur might have been like as a child? Did you even know that his name was Asterion – which translates as ‘The Starry One’?

Well, that is the starting point for Gaia Alessi’s excellent picture book for younger readers which challenges the whole notion of Asterion as a monster. Born to Queen Pasiphae as half boy half bull, he’s gentle, timid and loveable and when his little sister, Ariadne, who is all human, is born he becomes inseparable from her.

The two children played happily together despite the fact that Asterion found talking difficult and often could only make grunting noises – and he was certainly growing strong. Ariadne’s great love was nature and its creatures which she would protect whenever she felt them threatened. We start to see the awesome potential of Asterion’s presence when, one day, he is forced to chase off a group of young lads who were tormenting Ariadne who was seeking to protect small animals from their tormenting.

He rolls out a tremendous bellow and the rumours of the ‘monster’ half boy-half bull is born and spreads. When Asterion discovers that he has become a villain – a character of fear and hatred to appear in plays, his gentle soul is dismayed and horrified. When he tries to explain to the crowd that he’s no threat, all that comes out is the same terrifying bellow. The impact is immediate:

“Like leaves blown by an autumn gust, the people scattered. Asterion, too, took flight. He was afraid. What had he done? What would be done to him? He went to hide where he could hurt no-one…. and where no-one could hurt him back.”

But where has he gone? It’s down to Ariadne to find him using a cunning method that some of you will recognise if you read the original myth.

But this is a new story with quite a different ending to the original – but you’re going to have to find out what happens for yourselves.

If you are interested in finding out more about the author and her ideas behind this book, there is an excellent interview on the Arena Illustration website that you can check out here.

The book is available from Walker Books and you will be able to get a copy from your local independent bookshop – who will be happy to order it for you if they don’t have it on their shelves.

 

Terry Potter

October 2026