Amazing Greek Myths of Wonder and Blunders

January 4, 2010
Hellenic heroes and mythic monsters from Greek mythology go to a whole new level with Townsend's cartoony, bright, and colorful art. This collection of whimsically told Greek myths include comical abridged stories about King Midas, Pandora, Pygmalion, Persephone, Arachne, Perseus, Pyramus and Thisbe, Icarus, and Hercules. A brief introduction informs readers on the “first things they should know about the world of Greek Mythology” complete with a show and tell of the gods' and monsters' character names and faces. The entertaining, lively, and action-packed stories are spiced with slapstick throughout, while the moral messages are contained within loud, flamboyant action, leaving readers with plenty of room for laughs. Ages 9–12.

January 1, 2010
Gr 3-7-Ten familiar mythsthe stories of Pandora, Arachne, Midas, Perseus, and others-are embellished with humor, the gory parts glossed over, and served up in blazing color for fans of either comic books or Percy Jackson, or both. Most of the stories come with a moral, although some (Persephone, Pyramus and Thisbe) take the form of just-so stories. Conversational, up-to-date language and broad jokes help to make the stories accessible and coordinate well with the simple, cartoon illustration style. The artist has deployed a wide array of bright solid colors in such a way that contrast between foreground and background is maintained. The tone, as well, is somewhat unrelenting, with much shrieking, sobbing, yelling, and spinning eyeballs. Charles R. Smith's "The Mighty 12" (Little, Brown, 2008) would be an interesting contrast."Paula Willey, Baltimore County Public Library, Towson, MD"

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2010
Grades 2-4 Brash colors, quirky humor, and authentic retellings combine to make this compilation of stories about Pandora, Icarus, Demeter, Hercules, and other stars in the classical-myth canon both brilliant and engaging. Townsend balances text and visually communicated information in a way that few graphic novels for the chapter-book set seem to be able to maintain. The architecture and attire are all ancient world, while touches of contemporary humor dont come off as overly anachronisticthe punch line to How many centaurs does it take to screw in a lightbulb? is None . . . because lightbulbs dont exist! Other running gags include stupid sheep and funny taglines at the close of each tale. The lessons of the myths ring true, and their graphic stagings should keep readers, whether familiar with Bulfinchs classic versions or not, enthusiastically turning the pages.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)