Mythologica

October 1, 2019

Gr 2-5-Classical Greek myths meet edgy art in this encyclopedia. The vibrancy and saturated color of Topping's combined collaging and digital art pull readers in; Kershaw's easily accessible writing style will keep them engaged. Opening with an introduction and table of contents, the encyclopedia covers gods, then human heroes, and finally monsters. Each being has a profile that includes their common and Greek name, where they reside, their status, what they are known for, a brief history, a quote from the text, and facts accompanied by a colorful, multilayered collage portrait. The book features 50 powerful characters of Greek mythology and includes four central myths such as the Odyssey, which amounts to two pages. While each group (immortals, mortals, and monsters) may have benefited from a separate section heading to allow readers time to acknowledge the difference in categorization, the characters in Greek mythology are woven together to provide context. VERDICT Fans of Rick Riordan's "Percy Jackson" series and those who enjoy nonfiction with eye-catching collages will be captivated by the world of ancient Greece.-Hilary Tufo, Columbus Metropolitan Library-Reynoldsburg, OH

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 15, 2019
With its bold artwork in attention-grabbing, intense colors, this large-format collection of Greek myths and gods begs to be made into posters. The fantastical images could come straight from 1960s album covers, mixing reality and symbolism, with a diversity of skin colors and some hint at gender fluidity--it's definitely a mythology collection for a new generation. Full-page images fill one half of each spread on a particular personality while opposite are a few paragraphs and some smaller visual vignettes. Each entry includes a terse "Where" and What" section and the name of the figure in Greek, a unique feature of this enticing volume. The stories are told in a matter-of-fact, contemporary style. Writing about Ares, part of the description reads: "His most famous partner was the goddess of love Aphrodite. Even though she was married to Hephaestus they had lots of kids together." Four stories are singled out for greater focus: those of Heracles, Odysseus, the Trojan War, and Jason and the Argonauts. Occasionally the visuals don't correlate with the text. "The Fates were ugly, lame, old women," it claims, but the artist depicts them as three handsome, brown-skinned women. This mythological encyclopedia should certainly encourage readers to find the new graphic-novel adaptations of the myths or Homer's epic poems themselves, although the book lacks sources or a bibliography. A visually over-the-top paean to stories that still resonate today. (Cosmology. 11-15)

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September 15, 2019
Grades 4-8 This oversize, vibrantly illustrated offering breathes new life into the stuffy, toga-wearing personae that traditionally inhabit Greek mythology. It comprises 54 profiles divided into sections on gods (such as Zeus, Athena, and Dionysus), mortals (such as Midas, Achilles, and the Amazons), and monsters (such as Cyclops, Medusa, and the Minotaur). Four myths?the 12 Labors of Hercules, Odysseus' journey, the Trojan War, and the Argonauts?are also interspersed. The double-page profiles feature a brief description of the Greek subject, his or her associated location, a short narrative about his or her importance, and several related facts. The highlight of each profile, however, is the accompanying full-page illustration. These digitally enhanced collages exhibit a graffiti or street art style with vivid colors, patterns, and symbols. Subjects with humanlike faces are based on real, racially diverse young adults. This eye-catching effect also lends modern sophistication and cultural relevancy to these ancient tales. Whether students come to this volume for background research or by simply browsing, they'll find themselves lingering over the fascinating stories and intriguing art.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)

September 16, 2019
In this oversize collection, 50 Greek gods and goddesses, monsters, and other characters are rendered in lavish, stylized collages, one spread for each entity. Scholar Kershaw provides a straightforward description of each character or group’s origins, traits, and their role within the tapestry of Greek mythology (“Gaia belonged to the first generation of divinities who came into existence out of Chaos”). Figures—from the Twelve Labors of Heracles, “The Odyssey,” the Trojan War, and the Argonauts—include the Harpies, the Minotaur, the Muses, and well-known deities. Debut illustrator Topping brings a wealth of energy and richness to each composition, infusing them with individuality and diversity; the spreads carry the graphic boldness of poster art. Rather than creating a comprehensive telling of the tales, Kershaw provides a veritable who’s who of the pantheon and a solid introduction to primary figures; the enigmatic art further captures the mystery, passion, and intrigue of Greek mythology. Ages 7–10.