Review by Booklist Review
This comprehensive and engaging book on all things mythological lives up to the expectations set by other entries in the National Geographic Kids series. Hoena emphasizes the commonalities between myths of different cultures, including the Iroquois of North America, the Norse of Europe, the Hawaiians of the Pacific, and the Hindus of the Indian subcontinent. Gods and stories are organized topically, covering a range of concepts such as mythical tricksters, stories of love, natural disasters, and creation and the underworld. The eclectic layout is colorful and lively, full of iconography, infographics, photographs, and illustrations. Mayor serves as our expert guide and is represented by a reoccurring avatar, popping up in the text to highlight and explain certain concepts. Sidebars include recipes using fruits that were favorites of the gods, images of sacred places, and diagrams of celestial constellations. This compendium is highly successful in bringing to light the ways that myths across time and place relate to one another and to modern culture and language.--Anderson, Erin Copyright 2014 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-6-With more than 100 full-color illustrations these titles are visual treats, while providing a good deal of content. Each features four main sections with two-page chapters within those sections concentrating on specific topics. Within "Dinosaur Life," for instance, readers will find spreads on the "Dino Nursery," "Growing Up Dinosaur," "Chomp or Be Chomped," and "The Plant Eaters." The layouts include headlines, text boxes, illustrations, and quick facts. Mythology even offers an Olympus Family Tree and isn't limited to the gods of the Greek pantheon. Anansi, Horus, and Ganesha are all at home in these pages. The books are not only easy to read and understand, they're also fun. Each volume includes a glossary (with an accompanying quiz to increase comprehension) and sources for more information (books, websites). Good purchases where these subjects are much in demand.-Marie Drucker, Malverne Public Library, NY (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
With Adrienne Mayor. Though the title suggests you'll learn "everything" about mythology from around the world, really the book provides brief snapshots. Four chapters are subdivided into two-page sections covering various aspects: types of mythologies; specific stories; prominent creatures, figures, and gods; etc. A mix of illustrations, photos, and text boxes on every spread makes for busy visuals. A resources list is appended. Ind. (c) Copyright 2014. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
