Treasury of Egyptian Mythology

Donna Jo Napoli has a gift for wading into a subject and turning research into storytelling that's sure to engage children. Narrator Christina Moore makes Napoli's accounts of ancient Egyptian myths even more accessible and enjoyable with her conversational tone and emphasis on emotions. Connection is crucial to the success of this broad and encompassing view of Egyptian mythology, and audio achieves it well. The varying tones of the author and narrator flow smoothly as the stories of 17 Egyptian gods and goddesses dramatize the culture of the ancient Egyptian world. The lyrical descriptions of this world combined with contemporary informal language engage listeners and transport them back to earlier times. S.W. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine

Starred review from September 30, 2013
In this excellent companion volume to Treasury of Greek Mythology, Napoli and Balit introduce a panoply of Egyptian gods, goddesses, and other characters, while placing them in the context of Egyptian history, culture, and social mores. Balit’s captivating illustrations mimic the decorative art styles of ancient Egyptians, with manicured lines, prominent use of gold, and detailed patterns. Napoli’s gripping and candid prose informs while offering the immediacy of a contemporary fantasy novel: “Wrath made Sekhmet blood-crazed. She was vengeance incarnate. Death seemed attracted to her.” Sidebars provide additional insights into the lives of ancient Egyptians and other topics, from a brief description of papyrus-making to the rights of Egyptian women under ancient law. These mythological beings emerge as fully formed characters through equally powerful storytelling and images. Ages 8–12.

May 1, 2014

Gr 3-7-Christina Moore's expressive voice engages the listener in these tales of Egyptian mythology. This collection imparts a great deal of information: from sun god Ra's self-creation and the creation of all the other gods and goddesses, their lineages, attributes, responsibilities, skills, and exemplar stories about each to the segments about Egyptian history, geography, natural history, and culture. Stories of the deities' interactions with humans illustrate how the beliefs in these deities influenced and enhanced Egyptian life and culture. Greek and Egyptian names of the deities are provided, and a time line of Egyptian history and full cast of characters are given at the end. The narrator references pages in the print version so having that available would be helpful but not necessary to understand and enjoy this production. Mythology enthusiasts and those interested in Egypt will find much to fascinate them here.-Cynthia Ortiz, Hackensack High School, NJ

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.