Wise Tales Of Mythology

Children’s book reviews by Tacoma writer Rebecca Young appear monthly on the Families page.

“Odysseus and the Cyclops” retold and illustrated by Warwick Hutton - Most children who are exposed to Greek mythology find it fascinating. And why not? There’s magic, monsters and adventure that’s as exciting as anything found in modern children’s literature. Hutton does a marvelous job making mythology accessible to children. His other books, “Theseus and the Minotaur,” “The Trojan Horse,” “Perseus” and “Persephone,” have collected a stack of rave reviews and awards.

Here’s the tale of Odysseus and his men, returning home from the Trojan War. They are blown off course and land on an island inhabited by a huge man-eating giant with one eye who lives in a cave. Four men are gobbled up. How will the rest escape? The story is told with lucid, lively prose and beautiful, simple watercolor and ink illustrations. (Margaret K. McElderry Books, ages 7 and up, 32 pgs., $15.)

“Atalanta’s Race: A Greek Myth” retold by Shirley Climo - This is another fine version of an exciting Greek tale, this time with a female heroine. Atalanta was abandoned by her father, King Iasus, who wanted a boy. She was rescued by a bear and raised by a woodsman, who teaches her to be a great hunter and delights in her athletic prowess. Later she travels through Greece, winning athletic honors. Her greatest fame is in the footrace. She agrees to return to live with King Iasus, who is old and frail, and the gods help her find a mate who is worthy of her. There’s an exciting race involving three golden apples, and a surprise twist at the end of the story.

Alexander Koshkin’s illustrations are framed by Greek columns and look as if they could have appeared on the walls of ancient temples. (Clarion Books, ages 6-10, 32 pgs., $15.95.)

“Pandora’s Box: A 3-Dimensional Celebration of Greek Mythology” by Christos Kondeatis & Sara Maitland - This is possibly the most expensive ($35), least interesting pop-up book in existence. It is constructed as a box and contains two die-cut masks of a generic Greek hero and heroine, and a Greek board game with difficult-to-understand directions. There’s a cheaply made little paperback that introduces “the mythology and culture of ancient Greece.” The back half of the package consists of several more big color pages telling more about Greece, each with a pop-up, some with odd little books stuffed into slots. The one of the Trojan Horse is fun to look at. But then what is it good for? The information is confusingly organized. Most of the illustrations are not bad, colored in pastels, but there’s one that jars - a photographic Medusa with Life-Saver colored snakes. Look for these on the remainder tables in a few months. (Little, Brown, ages 7 and up, $35.)

“D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths” by Indri and Edgar Parin D’Aulaires - At the opposite extreme is this simple classic. First published in 1962 and still in print, this outstanding collection of Greek mythology is elegantly written, clearly organized and marvelously illustrated. It begins: “In olden times when men still worshiped ugly idols, there lived in the land of Greece a folk of shepherds and herdsmen who cherished light and beauty.” All the gods and goddesses of Olympus are here: Zeus, Poseidon, Hermes, Hades, Aphrodite. The stories make thrilling read-aloud material for all ages. The writers also did a fine book of Norse myths, also still available (Doubleday, $15). (Dell, all ages, 192 pgs., $16.95, paper.)

“Max and Ruby’s Midas: Another Greek Myth” by Rosemary Wells - Short on authenticity, but long on charm, this book stars two of our favorite picture-book rabbits: Max and his long-suffering sister Ruby. After Max tries to sneak two cupcakes to bed, Ruby reads him a bedtime story about a child whose sweet tooth got out of control. “Once upon a time in Ancient Greece there was a little prince named Midas who hated his fruits and vegetables. Midas spent a lot of time in his mother’s kitchen glaring at her olive loaves.” Max tries an experiment one day. He laser-beams his eyes at his melon topped with prune whip and whispers the words “hot fudge sundae.” It works, but unfortunately he also accidently turns his mother, father and sister Athena into sticky desserts. Look also for “Max and Ruby’s First Greek Myth: Pandora’s Box” as well as all the other Max books. (Dial, ages 4-8, 32 pgs., $12.99.)

“King Midas” retold by Neil Philip - Here’s a more standard version of the famous story, well told in picture-book format. The colors in Isabelle Brent’s illustrations are rich and vivid, including an authentic appearing, gleaming gold. Her figures are a bit stiff looking, but still provide a good complement for the ancient story. (Little, Brown, ages 5-10, 32 pgs., $15.95.)

“The Adventures of King Midas” by Lynne Reid Banks - The author of “The Indian in the Cupboard” has expanded on the legend of Midas and turned it into an exciting fantasy novel. The basic story is still there, but Banks has added lots of fun and funny details and plot twists that make this a great read-aloud. It’s a good way to get fans of the “Indian in the Cupboard” series interested in Greek mythology. (Avon, ages 8-12 - younger for reading aloud, 153 pgs., $3.99, paper.)