The Othernauts
A laugh-out-loud ancient Greek adventure for kids!
Published on 4. June 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
288 pages
978-1-83587-336-6 (ISBN)
Description
AN ORIGINAL RETELLING OF THE CLASSIC GREEK MYTH OF JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS FOR YOUNG READERS WITH A FRESH AND FUNNY TWIST, PERFECT FOR FANS OF LOKI AND DAVID SOLOMONS.
Meet Phoebe. She's eleven years old and desperate to escape the boring island where she lives.
Enter the Argonauts - a crew of so-called heroes on a quest to grab the golden fleece.
Before Phoebe can think better of it, she boards the ship and stows away on the Argo. But the Argonauts have their work cut out. From attacking harpies to deadly whirlpools, giant sea monsters to skeleton armies, there is peril at every turn. Fortunately the Othernauts are on hand - though with Phoebe's unhelpful prophecies, Perry's unreliable shape-shifting skills and Cora the siren's headache-inducing singing, it's not quite clear exactly how much help these kids will be . . .
Do the Othernauts have what it takes to get the Argo and its motley crew back to safety in one piece?
AN ANCIENT GREEK ADVENTURE TO CAPTURE THE LEGENDARY GOLDEN RUG, I MEAN, FLEECE - BUT NOT LIKE YOU'VE EVER HEARD IT BEFORE . . .
Meet Phoebe. She's eleven years old and desperate to escape the boring island where she lives.
Enter the Argonauts - a crew of so-called heroes on a quest to grab the golden fleece.
Before Phoebe can think better of it, she boards the ship and stows away on the Argo. But the Argonauts have their work cut out. From attacking harpies to deadly whirlpools, giant sea monsters to skeleton armies, there is peril at every turn. Fortunately the Othernauts are on hand - though with Phoebe's unhelpful prophecies, Perry's unreliable shape-shifting skills and Cora the siren's headache-inducing singing, it's not quite clear exactly how much help these kids will be . . .
Do the Othernauts have what it takes to get the Argo and its motley crew back to safety in one piece?
AN ANCIENT GREEK ADVENTURE TO CAPTURE THE LEGENDARY GOLDEN RUG, I MEAN, FLEECE - BUT NOT LIKE YOU'VE EVER HEARD IT BEFORE . . .
Reviews / Votes
A retelling that is as riotously funny as it is radical, The Othernauts is an absolute hoot from start to finish - heroes of long ago have never been so hilarious! * PIERS TORDAY, author of THE LAST WILD * Laugh-out-loud funny and edge-of-seat thrilling, The Othernauts is a legendary adventure, destined to capture the imaginations of today's young heroes. * Sophie Anderson, author of THE HOUSE WITH CHICKEN LEGS * Huge fun - an exuberant and irresistible retelling of Jason and the Argonauts for our times. The voice is funny, fresh and mischievous - highly recommended * Liz Flanagan, author of WILDSMITH * Pollard illuminates mythology with delicious bursts of wit and wordplay, much like an ambrosian bubble tea. Phoebe, her heroine, sails off with Jason and his crew on an adventure with new pal Perry and the sentient Argo herself. Nothing turns out as planned, but this uproarious retelling is sure to be a huge hit with young readers, especially fans of Who Let the Gods Out and Loki. * Gita Ralleigh, author of THE VOYAGE OF SAM SINGH * This is the Argonautica such as you have never encountered it before, with all the 'rizz' and witticism familiar to fans of Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series. . . a full and rich retelling. Macha Yao's illustrations are wonderful, chiming perfectly with the text. . . a thoroughly enjoyable read for fans of Greek legends who love to laugh. * INIS Magazine, Children's Books Ireland * an unputdownable version of one of the great adventure stories, and very, very funny * Books for Keeps * fast-moving with in-jokes and surprises throughout. The main storyline is obviously well known and doesn't deviate but the addition of the three children gives it extra depth and means it is engaging for all readers including those who know what should be happening. -- Tom Tolkien * The School Reading List * This reimagined story for 8-13 year olds plays with Greek myth, adding humour and sharp twists that give a familiar adventure a contemporary and original feel * The School Reading List * Full of humour that will delight its intended audience and crammed with details that will please any adults familiar with the story, this is a read that I gobbled up. * World's Smallest Library *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Chichester
United Kingdom
Target group
Children/juvenile
Interest Age: From 8 to 13 years
Dimensions
Height: 197 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 21 mm
Weight
200 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-83587-336-6 (9781835873366)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Clare Pollard (Author)
Clare Pollard is an author, playwright and poet. Her sixth collection of poetry Lives of the Female Poets, is forthcoming in 2025. She has also written a new translation of Ovid's Heroines, which she toured as a one-woman show. Clare's other publications include a play, The Weather, that premiered at the Royal Court Theatre, two adult novels and a non-fiction title, Fierce Bad Rabbits: The Tales Behind Children's Picture Books. Her debut children's novel was The Untameables (The Emma Press, 2024).
Macha Yao (Illustrator)
Macha Yao is a French-British illustrator based in Taiwan. She's inspired by a lifelong obsession with comics, lava lamps, arcades, neon signs, and the faded magic of old seaside funfairs - as well as her two children. After studying cinema editing and SFX, she now channels her love for storytelling as an illustrator and designer, bringing her quirky characters to life with vibrant colours, funky patterns, and silly goose energy. Macha believes books should empower kids, spark their confidence, and she always aims to give them a good laugh through her work. Her studio runs on matcha tea, ukulele tunes, and cheeky longboard lunch breaks.
Clare Pollard is an author, playwright and poet. Her sixth collection of poetry Lives of the Female Poets, is forthcoming in 2025. She has also written a new translation of Ovid's Heroines, which she toured as a one-woman show. Clare's other publications include a play, The Weather, that premiered at the Royal Court Theatre, two adult novels and a non-fiction title, Fierce Bad Rabbits: The Tales Behind Children's Picture Books. Her debut children's novel was The Untameables (The Emma Press, 2024).
Macha Yao (Illustrator)
Macha Yao is a French-British illustrator based in Taiwan. She's inspired by a lifelong obsession with comics, lava lamps, arcades, neon signs, and the faded magic of old seaside funfairs - as well as her two children. After studying cinema editing and SFX, she now channels her love for storytelling as an illustrator and designer, bringing her quirky characters to life with vibrant colours, funky patterns, and silly goose energy. Macha believes books should empower kids, spark their confidence, and she always aims to give them a good laugh through her work. Her studio runs on matcha tea, ukulele tunes, and cheeky longboard lunch breaks.