Book Review: A Children’s Book, ‘A Few Good Greek Myths’
I don’t know how many children’s books, if any, have been reviewed on The Moderate Voice.
Additionally, I don’t know how many children, if any, read The Moderate Voice. But I do know that thousands of intelligent, dedicated, loving parents and grandparents, who deeply care about what their youngsters read, do religiously read these “pages.”
Now that I have stroked your ego, let me tell you about a terrific new children’s book that I have gotten my hands on.
“A Few Good Greek Myths” is a beautifully illustrated (more about that in a moment) book that will fascinate and entertain the reader—both young and not so young—with more than just “a few good Greek myths.”
The author, Michael O’Brien, first explains the roots, the origins and the history of myths. What I would call the myths about myths, but what O’Brien more elegantly describes as follows:
Myths are more than ripping yarns…[they] deal with the dual contradictions of the human condition: why do bad things happen to good people; why is there so much confusion, war and unfairness? They also address man’s most curious concerns: where did we come from, why are we here and who are the great powers?
You ask, “is this a children’s book?” Relax, this is about as “deep” as it gets. After a great overview of myths in other cultures (Egypt, India, China, etc.,) and an introduction to the “Olympians” and the “Big Five Heroes” of Greek mythology, it is on to a delightful journey through all your favorite Greek myths, narrated in a refreshing way, with a touch of humor.
The reader (re-)learns in detail about such favorites as Zeus, Odysseus, Prometheus, Icarus, Atlas, the Trojan Horse, Orpheus and Eurydice, etc. And, if the young and not so young reader still hasn’t had enough, there are two final chapters with “Some Other Pretty Good Myths,” and “Myths Up For Honorable Mention.”
My brief mention earlier about how beautifully this book is illustrated, is probably an understatement. The book contains a “baker’s dozen” gorgeous, color woodcut prints that are truly works of art. They are done by Peter Scacco.
For the sake of full disclosure: Both (Dr) Michael O’Brien, the author, and Peter Scacco, the illustrator, are good friends in Austin, Texas. Both are also tennis partners, but they have never let me win a match in exchange for a favorable review of their book. Such a courtesy on their part just wasn’t necessary…
Please click here to check out the book at Amazon.com
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2 Responses to “Book Review: A Children’s Book, ‘A Few Good Greek Myths’”
Dorian, thank you for bringing this book to my attention! I love mythology and in fact my two cats (kittens, still) are named Jupiter and Juno, which I think is rather fitting since they are siblings but will spend their lives together as though they were married. My last cat was named after Zeus (but his half sister was named Coco, not a goddess, but a classy kitty). I didn't purposely name my latest male cat Jupiter because the last was named after Zeus, but I think it's a nice touch of continuity…. (Since the god Jupiter in Roman is Zeus the Greek god.)
But back to mythology…. there are great stories and once one reads and understands mythology (not just Greek and Roman, but Nordic, Egyptian, various Asian beliefs, etc.) one can see the true depth and richness of not just Western civilization, but of mankind.
I hope children will read this book and have their imaginations stimulated. They and the world will be better off.
Thanks for your comments SB, and wish Jupiter and Juno well. I had a dog names Zeus, a Dutch Keeshond. He came after two or three German Shepherds and other dogs named “Dutchie”
Dorian