Looking for a fun, children's book to read
This one could be just the one that you need!
Instead of rubbing the lamp to get a genie
This has Tim Baker accidentally seeming to be a meanie.

Tim loves his Mum and does all that he can
To help her out - well that's his plan.
However when her vase he accidentally breaks
It isn't long till devastation overtakes!

No genie is released in this story you'll find,
It is Hercules instead, who'd like to be kind.
However, he's hopeless and causes a furore
As his helping proves disastrous more and more!

What's worse is Tim gets the blame for the trouble
And it is difficult to clear, even working at the double.
However, this hero from Ancient History,
Could be useful in solving a different mystery.

With great illustrations and plenty going wrong
This is a great read, the kind for which children long.
For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you,
What a fabulous children's read - and this is my honest review.

I love learning about history and myths and legends. I love it even more when my kids can join me. This is a bit young for my teenager but she still enjoyed it as much as I did. It was this fun whimsical story while educating at the same time.

While cleaning his house one day after school, Tim knocks his mother’s ancient Grecian vase over and breaks it. This releases Hercules from the vase, where he was trapped by Hera. Hercules tries to help Tim around the house, but he makes everything even worse. The problem is that while Hercules is causing all kinds of trouble, but Tim is the only one who can see him. Tim has to figure out a way to fix Hercules’s messes and send him back into the vase.

I love Ancient Greece, and I especially love when it’s featured in children’s books. In this story, Tim wasn’t familiar with the story of Hercules or the gods of Ancient Greece. The reader can learn alongside Tim throughout the story as he learns more about Hercules. I didn’t read stories about Ancient Greece when I was a kid, though I became interested in them as I got older. I think I would have loved this story when I was a kid.

This was a funny story. Hercules had a lot of strength but no common sense, so he was constantly messing up things in the house. For example, when Tim asked him to weed the garden, Hercules ended up cutting up all the flowers and burning them because he thought they were all enemies. When Hercules would cause trouble, Tim was blamed since no one could see Hercules. Even though Hercules caused some problems for Tim, he was able to chase away Tim’s bullies, so they helped each other in a way.

This was a great middle grade story.

Thank you Sweet Cherry Publishing for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Cute, funny, and engaging. You like the characters, the plot is interesting and entertaining. I’m looking forward to reading the next in the series.

Tim is good boy that helps his mum but he breaks her favourite vase , shocking he find Greek hero who trying to help but all alot of adventure happen. My son loved this book and finished in one sitting.

he would love to read the next one , as the series looks very interesting.

My kids have been really into Mythology so I got this for them to try. They thought it was pretty funny so I’m glad I got it. Now I want to check out the rest of the series.

This is a great book for early readers but my 5 year grandson liked the story even though this isn't a picture book. It has a lot of action and funny adventure so it kept his interest. Probably wait for him to get a little older for other books in the series, but definitely a fun read and a tad educational too.

Hopeless Heroes is a 10 book series about a young boy's adventures with Greek Gods. In Book One: Here Comes Hercules! Tim encounters Hercules the demi-god and gets into a succession of mishaps as he tries to help Hercules return home.

There are many things to like about this well told story. It has a great plot which is pitched correctly for the age group but doesn't pull any punches about addressing real issues facing children such as bullying, the impact of finances on a single parent household, children being more responsible at a young age and having to contribute to the household.
 
All of these issues are neatly overlaid by a rollicking string of disasters and fun characters. Hercules appears as if by magic from a broken vase in Tim living room, and unsurprisingly he is a fish out of water in this new modern world. His attempts at trying to adapt to the 20th century provides some hilarious scenes often unfortunately at the expense of Tim. Because whilst Hercules is invisible to everyone else, his actions and mistakes are evident to all.
 
Usually when children go on these adventures or just away from home for hours at a time, I often wonder where the responsible adult in this scenario is. I didn't have to wonder in this case as Tim's mum worked two jobs so it wasn't just a plot device or lack of character development that meant that Tim and Hercules could go off.
 
Tim spends a lot of time alone, so I guess that even though Hercules's efforts got him into trouble and under new scrutiny from the adults in his life, it seemed worth it for the companionship. Their friendship made up for all the mayhem.
 
So, in summary, there is much to like especially in the character development. Hercules becomes self-reflective realising that using his strength is not always beneficial. Tim is more resilient and able to stand up for himself.
 
Equally good is the lovely relationship Tim had with mum, they communicated honestly with each other even if it means repercussions (for Tim!). They loved and believed in each other as evidence by the kindness shown when the other was feeling disheartened.
 
Finally, the effortless way it introduced Greek terms and mythology into the story was great, a real asset; they were well integrated, and the reader was not overloaded with facts all at once or continuously throughout the book. The illustrations were fun, helpfully demonstrating all the key parts and all the funny bits.
 
I'm looking forward to Book two - Hera's Terrible Trap, to find out more about the mysterious vase, the villainous Hera who trapped Hercules there and hopefully Tim's backstory.

My thanks to Netgalley and Sweet Cherry Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for a candid review.
 
3 Stars - Liked It

This is a fantastic children's book with links to Greek mythology as well as bullying in school. It shows that Greek heroes aren't quite as adept at managing with modern life as they might think they are!

When Tim Baker breaks his Mum's favourite vase, he wasn't quite expecting a Greek god to materialise in his living room. He would have prefered a genie, but some help around the house would be quite welcome. Tim's mother is struggle to provide enough money and is having to work two jobs just to keep the roof above their heads. So Tim has to do lots of housework and when Hercules appears in his front room, he may well be just the hero Tim needs. Needless to say, Hercules seems to cause far more trouble than any hero should.

This is a well-written story and is perfect for children aged 7+. I thought that Tim was a brilliant protagonist who clearly loved and cared for his mother. He truly tried his best to keep the house clean and help where possible, believing in his Mum's talent for writing and encouraging her every step of the way. It really showed how hard it was to get a book published as well.

Hercules seems to cause no end of trouble for Tim and makes more mess than the house has ever had before. Poor Tim gets blamed for the lot. The riddle and hidden messages within the story were delightful and made this a joy to read. It's definitely a quick, fast paced read that's sure to make you laugh out loud. The story had perfectly matching illustrations too. If the rest of the series is as good as this book, I think this is a winning series.

A great story for kids full of imagination and great characters! A great for kid to learn about Hercules!

When Tim Baker breaks his mum’s favourite vase, it’s the least of his problems. The Greek hero he’s released is in danger of doing far worse. To the flowers, the rug—Oh, no! Not the kitchen!

Hercules is only trying to be helpful but he’s just hopeless. It’s time to send this dim demigod home before Tim becomes ancient history.

This is a funny story about a Greek hero in modern times.

When Tim Baker breaks his mum’s favourite vase, it’s the least of his problems. The Greek hero he’s released is in danger of doing far worse. To the flowers, the rug—Oh, no! Not the kitchen!



Hercules is only trying to be helpful but he’s just hopeless. It’s time to send this dim demigod home before Tim becomes ancient history.

I'm all for fun adaptations of mythology for children, and this one is great fun for kids! Hercules' funny failing attempts at being helpful are great. I'd suggest this book to fans of captain underpants that are growing up and need their mind nourished without losing that goofy read

I’ve been looking for an appropriate fiction text to link with the Ancient Greeks for Year 3 and I think I’ve found one. Would love to share this with my class!

A fun chapter book or read-aloud to introduce kids to Greek mythology. It reminds me a bit of the Magic Treehouse series -- an easy read with likeable characters that provides a bit of educational value to boot.

This is a cute chapter book about Hercules. Tim Baker thinks he’s in big trouble when he breaks one of his mom’s favorite vases, but that was just the start of more trouble than Tim could imagine. When the vase cracks a demigod is released from a spell and Hercules appears. This is a really cute and entertaining story as Tim is the only that can see Hercules. Hercules thinks he’s helping Tim but keeps creating problem after problem for Tim and his mom is buying the Hercules story.
I would definitely recommend this book to a young reader. It’s also a great introduction to Greek Mythology.
Thank you to Sweet Cherry Publishing and NetGalley for this wonderful children’s book, I can’t wait to read the next book in this Hopeless Heroes Series!
www.colecampfireblog.com
LanaLCole@yahoo.com

This is such a fun book! Tim gets teased at school because he has to help his mum with chores around the house. But when he accidentally smashes her most precious vase and releases Hercules into his house, things are about to get a lot more interesting …

I really loved this! I thought it was a great take on a mythological hero – particularly in that he tries his hardest to help Tim and actually keeps making things worse. It would be a great introduction to Greek mythology for young children, as Hercules’ story is weaved in and out of Tim’s without making it boring or dragging it down. It's great that it's part of a series!

What a lovely little book for younger readers, subtly introducing them to the world of myth, but maintaining a contemporary setting. Making Hercules a buffoon not only affords comic escapades but his boasts allow the author to parse sections of legends enough for children to want to find out more for themselves.

By having his mum working hard out of the house it also lets the story proceed but additionally gives a poignant message to other kids who don't get the time they'd like with a parent.


Clever, witty, with a cool cliffhanger for book 2.

This is a great start to a book series that introduces kids to Greek mythology. My daughters loved me reading it to them. It is fun and engaging.

Tim Baker's mom has to work two jobs, so he has to help out at home. He does some of the housework and helps in the garden and does what he can until his mother sells her stories and becomes a published writer. But when he accidentally breaks her antique Greek vase, his whole life gets turned upside down. 

The broken vase released Hercules, who had been trapped there by Hera. He was so grateful to Tim for releasing him that he offers to help out with the chores. With Hercules to help, those household chores will get done in no time! Only, following directions isn't really his thing. So once the garden has been destroyed and then set on fire, once the tiger rug has been ripped almost in two, once Tim has lost all patience with his new hero friend, he decides that Hercules maybe doesn't need to help him with the chores any more. 

Through the next few days, Hercules "helps" Tim with his school bully, steals all of his classmates' snacks, sweeps the house, and cleans the kitchen after making a huge mess of pancakes, and Tim isn't sure how to survive his friendship with Herc. He's in trouble with his mom for what happened to the garden. He's in trouble at school. His bully is extra mad at him and promising revenge. And worst of all, Tim's mom's story got rejected again. 

Tim notices that there is some writing on the vase, once he glued it back together. He can't read it because it's in Greek, and Hercules refuses to read it to him. Herc's depressed because he just wants to go home to his wife and daughter. But Tim keeps thinking that it's important, and if he could just figure out what it says, he could find a way to turn everything around. Can he do it? 

Hopeless Heroes: Here Comes Hercules! is a charming early chapter book for kids around 7-9. Not only is it a fun story with modern themes like dealing with bullies and helping out single parents who have to work a lot, it's also a good introduction to the ancient Greek and Roman gods and the myths that surround them. Stella Tarakson has written an entertaining story that is also educational, and it's just the first in the series. An excellent book for kids!

I found Here Comes Hercules! to be delightful, with realistic characters (the modern ones, anyway) and lots of honest emotion. It also has a really good amount of humor and an engaging story, This book is lots of fun!



Galleys for Hopeless Heroes: Here Comes Hercules! were provided by Sweet Cherry Publishing through NetGalley, with many thanks.