The Greek goddess of harvest Demeter loves her daughter Persephone more than life itself. So after Persephone is kidnapped by Hades, ruler of the underworld, and taken as his bride, Demeter's sorrow covers the earth in winter snow. The crops fail, and Zeus sends his messenger Hermes to bring about Persephone's release. But things get complicated when Persephone takes a liking to her captor. The book includes a CD of the lyrics performed as an opera choral by school children of Montreal. The Monty Python Terry Jones narrates the text on the CD.

From street hockey to baguette duels, award-winning poet X.J. Kennedy captures what it means to be a kid in a city full of zany characters and urban adventures waiting to happen. Philippe Beha's whimsical illustrations add delight to these lighthearted rhymes. These poems are set in cities around the world from London to Toronto to New York. Funny and poignant, these stories should amuse and delight children and teachers alike.