Truly Grim Tales, Finalist 1996

Truly Grim Tales, 1996

Snake Dreamer, 1998

Daedalus and the Minotaur, starred selection, 1997

Truly Grim Tales, starred selection, 1996-7

Atalant, The fastest Runner in the World,

starred selection, 1996-97

Aleta and the Queen, a Tale of Ancient Greece,

starred selection, 1996-7

Good Times, Bad Times, Mummy and Me

ONTARIO COUNCIL OF TEACHERS OF ENGLISH:

Teacher of the Year, 1976

Marty Scholarship for Doctoral Study, 1976-7

Our Choice Catalogue, Canadian Children's Book Centre, 1996-7. Galloway's four recent books (to the end of 1997) have all been starred selections in this prestigious catalogue.

CBC Radio included two discussions and recommendations for Truly Grim Tales, Aleta and the Queen, and Atalanta, one on Peter Gzowski's Morningside Children's Book Panel, Nov. 2, 1995; another on Fresh Air, Sunday, December 3.

Perren, Susan. "Daedalus and the Minotaur," Globe and Mail, Saturday October 11, 1997. "[Galloway's] characters are vivid and compelling. . . . [This book] more than lives up to the excellence of the other two in the series."

TRULY GRIM TALES:

Horn Book, January-February1996, Starred Review marks an "outstanding" book. "Eight famous traditional folktales are retold from a startlingly oblique and mind-bending point of view. New interpretations of familiar material may turn the tale into a tragedy or a farce, and villains may be heroes--or at least portrayed as human beings. One of the most ingenious of the stories is a retelling of "Jack and the Beanstalk" from the point of view of the ogre's wife. The tale gives a plausible explanation for why the ogress protects Jack from her husband and the meaning behind the ogre's well-known chant of 'fee, fi, fo, fum.' A fascinating short-story collection."

Kirkus Reviews, June 15, 1995,

awarded their coveted diamond rating, which is reserved for books of distinction. "[These are] tales retold with twists more ironic than grim. 'The Prince' chases after glass-slippered Cinderella because he has a foot fetish; 'The Woodcutter's Wife' denies any intent to eat Hansel and Gretel--she just wants to keep them around as sources of blood for potions and lab experiments. In a distinctive, formal narration, Galloway disguises each story of her first collection, and expects readers to know the traditional versions well enough to fill in details of plot and character. She writes in a tone that darkens even tales with happy endings, but most of the violence is psychological rather than physical. Readers who appreciate Donna Jo Napoli's disturbing Magic Circle (1993) will find this equally thought-provoking."

Booklist, Anne O'Malley, September 15, 1995

: ". . . unusual collection of familiar folktales with startling twists. As the title hints, there is no attempt to sanitize villains or give a gentler twist to gory details. The anthology works well for short story collections and folktale curriculum units."

Publishers Weekly, September 11, 1995:

"Nearly operatic in their conception and accomplished in their execution, these stories could also serve as a guide to young writers: their inventive, vigorous exploration of familiar territory easily stimulates the reader's own imagination."

Today's Parent, July 1, 1996, p. 23:

"Ever stop to think how the giant's wife felt about Jack's beanstalk adventure? Or what would lead a stepmother to abandon two children in the woods? Anyone who thinks they're 'past' fairy tales, think again! In this creepy and fascinating collection, Galloway takes an imaginative leap into the dark side of these familiar stories, with stunning results."

Our Choice, 1996-7: Annual Guide to Canada's Best Children's Books and Videos, The Canadian Children's Book Centre, p. 11:

Starred selection.

"Fantastical, yet terrifyingly believable, each story is sure to spur readers' imaginations."

The Globe and Mail, H.J. Kirchhoff, Dec. 2, 1995:

"One might expect a lively sense of humour from the author of Truly Grim Tales, a collection of fairy tales for adults. The stories are based on classic fairy tales, but with surrealistic lashings of modern thought and appliances. Furthermore, Galloway's versions of the classic tales are told from unexpected points of view, lending the familiar stories often slyly humorous overtones: the dwarf Rumpelstiltskin's version of the story is quite different from the one your grandmother read to you; from 'Jack and the Beanstalk,' the ogre's wife explains the perfectly good reason her husband must grind the bones of Englishmen to bake his bread. 'I've always been interested in the things under the surface, why people would do the things they do,' Galloway says. 'When you think of what you get in fairy tales, it is so extraordinary. I mean, an ogre who kills and eats children? I think, what would make a responsible person do that?'"

Calgary Herald, Jennifer Hale, Dec. 1995:

"Priscilla Galloway's revisionist Truly Grim Tales surpasses Garner's Politically Correct Fairy Tales, or Zipes' collections, both in the quality of her writing and her fascinating perspective. . . For example, we always cheer for Jack as he steals a hen that lays golden eggs and a singing harp from an ogre, but have we ever considered what happened to the 'ogre' after his money was gone? Galloway re-tells this story from the perspective of the ogre's wife, who watches the slow deterioration of her husband, who suffers from a bone disease. The ending to this story is so tragic that it reverses the traditional self/other construction we generally bring to these stories, and makes us seriously question the old 'happily-ever-after' convention. . . . Galloway's revisions are not grounded in present-day rhetoric, and perhaps they will one day become as timeless as the classic fairy tales she emulates."

ABOUT ALETA AND THE QUEEN: A TALE OF ANCIENT GREECE and ATALANTA, THE FASTEST RUNNER IN THE WORLD

"Two recent novels by Priscilla Galloway could serve as antidotes for readers bored with Judy Blume and The Babysitters Club. Atalanta, the Fastest Runner in the World, is a straightforward account of one of the Great Girl Myths. . . told in prose that is both spellbinding and surprisingly sensual. This is a wonderful book for readers in the middle grades, though my five-year-old (a Barbie girl all the way) listened to it enthralled." Children's Book Review, v. 3, #1, March-April 1996, p. 30

"Galloway is herself a classical scholar and has brought to these re-tellings a passion that you can almost feel as you fall victim to the spell of her books. Not only does she make Greek myths accessible to a new generation of readers but she also brings out new themes in these old tales that deserve our attention." Jeffrey Canton, Canadian School Library Journal, 1996

"Atalanta and Aleta have it all--exciting stories that combine adventure, passion, treachery, and love. . . They belong in every library." CBC Radio

"Galloway has created two epic tales of long ago, a time with more than its share of mystical happenings and spirited acts of bravery. This is the stuff kids were made for. Galloway is truly a talented weaver of tales.

Both books begin with a prologue that clarifies where the classical mythology ends and Galloway's imagination begins. She has also included (ah, bliss) a list of phonetical pronunciations of the Greek names. . . . Both Atalanta and Aleta and the Queen have strong "replay" values and are appropriate for a wide range of ages The whole family will enjoy Galloway's soon-to-be classic tales." Hadley Dyer, Children's Book News, Canadian Children's Book Centre, 19 (#3, Summer/Fall 1996): 33. (Dyer is a bookseller at Woozles in Halifax. Visit the Woozles website!)

"It's an interesting and valuable tack on the story to tell it from the woman's point of view, so often missing in traditional stories. Galloway's versions are action-packed and exciting. . . These tales will introduce many young people easily into the complex world of Greek mythology." Luisa D'Amato, Kitchener-Waterloo Record, Nov. 25, 1995

"It is most unfortunate that few parents or teachers today tell the classic myths to children. We are losing touch with the timeless, eternally relevant legends that have inspired mankind for generations, and form the underpinnings of all Western literature. Fortunately, Annick Press has launched a new book series. Priscilla Galloway, a respected Toronto author, educator and scholar has long combined her love of Greek myths with her ability to commmunicate with children and young adults. She has written new branches to tales rooted in the ancient past. Aleta and the Queen is a dynamic introduction to this exciting series. Galloway writes with the graceful ease of a true professional. The book has depth and resonance. One yearns for further stories, and happily the need will be soon be met. Atalanta, the Fastest Runner in the World, is next in the series. . . The conclusion to the story is surprising and unpredictable. It has less to do with destiny than the natural instinct to be in control of one's fate and future." Arlene Perly Rae, Toronto Star, Sept. 9, 1995

ALETA AND THE QUEEN: A TALE OF ANCIENT GREECE:

"This tale explores struggles for power, complex family relationships, and, most of all, how 12-year-old Aleta shapes the future of her country while learning about her past." Starred selection, Our Choice, 1996-7: Annual Guide to Canada's Best Children's Books and Videos, The Canadian Children's Book Centre, p. 14

"Homer's Odyssey, an epic of adventure and intrigue that has held readers spellbound for thousands of years, is the inspiration for Aleta and the Queen, a long tale of intrigue in Penelope's court, which climaxes with her husband Odysseus's return. While Homer's story focuses on the royal wanderer and his son, Galloway's is centred on Penelope, her courtiers, and some of the gods and goddesses who they believed intervened in human lives. Aleta is the granddaughter of Penelope's housekeeper and trusted companion.

Galloway's story is backed by impressive research, yet never loses touch with the drama's human focus. The text and illustrations are well matched; both are fiercely imaginative and deeply human. Highly recommended." Canadian Children's Literature, 1996
"Fans of Greek mythology will enjoy this engaging story of life at the royal court of Ithaca after the Trojan War, as seen through he eyes of a young serving girl [Aleta]. This original retelling gives readers a unique look at life on the ancient Greek 'home front' while remaining faithful to details of the classic story." Mary Jo Drungil, School Library Journal, Jan. 1996, p.118
"Priscilla Galloway approaches this work with a fresh and palpable passion that quite literally brings it to life. Aleta is a very real character. Her broken family and divided sympathies seem very modern. The shame she feels at her mother's reckless behaviour may strike a familiar chord with some young readers. This is a large format book with illustrations, but it has more text than many first novels. This is not a criticism, but the book will probably attract the serious readers in the suggested age range. An outstanding book." Janet McNaughton, Quill and Quire, January, 1996

"The setting has been brought fully to life through skilful use of research into the ancient society." Andrea Deakin, Vancouver Sun, September 30, 1995

ALETA ET PENELOPE, UN RECIT DE LA GRECE ANTIQUE, traduit par Michelle Asselin:

"Quel bonheur! Quel livre magnifique! . . . Ce livre a tout du joyau. Il est aussi emprient de passion et d'amour. L'amour de Pénélope pour Ulysse, l'amour de Priscilla Galloway pour la Grèce et l'amour de Normand Cousineau pour la forme et la couleur.

Il sera rangé avec mes livres précieux." Edith Bourget, LURELU automne 1997

ATALANTA, THE FASTEST RUNNER IN THE WORLD

"A prologue that sensitively raises the question of what motivated child abandonment in ancient Greece sets the thought-provoking tone for this excellent retelling. Not quite a novelization, Galloway's version sticks close to the basic myth, adding dialogue, fleshing out minor characters, and assigning plausible thoughts and feelings. It powerfully underscores the psychological conflicts Atalanta experiences as she rejects her society's expectations for women, choosing 'masculine' roles of hunter and runner . . . as she struggles to know herself and where her duty lies." Patricia Lothrop Green, School Library Journal, Nov. 1995
"The legend of Atalanta has particular relevance today given its embodiment of such issues as the role of women, conflict with parents, individual expression, and freedom of choice. Galloway expresses her themes in concise, forceful, and often colloquial prose. The primitive style of the pen-and-gouache illustrations echoes the story's strong passions, and the rich, earthy colors glow with life. Adults unfamiliar with classical Greek customs will appreciate the prologue, which elucidates difficult concepts (such as infanticide) in terms young readers will understand. Recommended." Lisa Arsenault, Canadian Children's Literature, 1996

"Atalanta is a skillful, poetic and lively story based on the Greek tale of Atalanta, abandoned as a baby, protected by the goddess Artemis and forbidden by her to seek for love. The delightful and engaging text is illustrated in earth tones and style of Greek pottery, and the book is beautifully designed. I highly recommend the series." Andrea Deakin, Vancouver Sun, September 30, 1995

"In retelling this tale, Priscilla Galloway wisely omits some of the more lurid details. In place of these, she gives us character development and a serious attempt to make the alien world of the ancients comprehensible. Young readers, especially girls, will identify with Atalanta's struggle to maintain her independence in the face of her growing attraction to Melanion, who wins her affection and respect before he wins her hand in marriage. . . .This is one of the first in a series from Annick designed to make Greek myths accessible to young readers. If Atalanta is an indication of overall quality, these books will succeed admirably." Janet McNaughton, Quill and Quire, October 1995

ATALANTE, LA COUREUSE LA PLUS RAPIDE AU MONDE, traduit par Michelle Asselin:

"Dans un univers où foisonnent des héros tels Persée, Thésée et Jason, rares sont les héroines. . . L'oeuvre de Priscilla Galloway raconte les péripéties d'Atalante. Abandonnée par son père déçu de n'avoir pas eu un fils, celle-ci bénéficie de la protection de la déesse Artémis. . . .

Il faut souligner l'excellent prologue qui offre une bonne introduction au contexte de la mythologie.

Un bon livre, un bon choix pour quiconque veut connaitre un récit méconnu sur un personnage souvent présenté comme mineur aux cotés des autres grands héros grecs." Luc Bernier, LURELU automne 1997