Mythology: Oh My! Gods and Goddesses

Gr 4–8—This book briefly describes major figures in Greek, Norse, and Egyptian myths. The mythological figure's name is given, along with a "rhymes with" pronunciation hint, usually followed by information about the figure's antecedents. A paragraph of first-person description follows, rendered in a flip, lighthearted style ("'Yo, peons! It's me, Ra, ready to bring light, life, and food to the Nile valley, sailing full tilt across the sky in my daily royal procession.'"). Each description is accompanied by a digitally rendered cartoon drawing of the character. Unfortunately, this title is strong on quirky voice but weak when it comes to clarity and organization. Readers unfamiliar with the subject matter may find many details confusing, and though there is a glossary at the end, it is not helpful in every case. For instance, the entry on Dionysus notes that he is the only Olympian god with a mortal parent, but the book never clarifies what is meant by "Olympian god," and the very next entry is Asclepius, a god who also has one mortal parent. Nor are the 12 Olympians grouped together; Hephaestus is tossed in near the end of the chapter. While some readers may enjoy the brevity and humor, most libraries should consider this an additional title. For a book with more comprehensive coverage, consider Blake Hoena's Everything Mythology (National Geographic, 2014).—Misti Tidman, Licking County Library, Newark, OH