MYTHOLOGY
by Lady Hestia Evans
edited by Dugald A. Steer
Candlewick Press
ISBN-10: 0763634034
ISBN-13: 9780763634032
Ages 8-up
32 pages

Zeus and the war over Mount Olympus. Jason's search for the Golden Fleece. The 12 Great Tasks of Hercules. These are just a few of the many wondrous tales in Greek mythology, which are some of the most adored and enduring stories of all time. Passed down from generation to generation for centuries, Greek myths still captivate audiences today, conjuring up a mystical time and place when the fate of the world lay in the hands of powerful and tempestuous gods, where fantastical monsters roamed the land, and when men --- with a little divine intervention --- had super-hero abilities. In MYTHOLOGY, the latest addition to the hugely popular and bestselling 'Ologies series, author Dugald A. Steer tackles this topic of legendary proportions, bringing these age-old fables to a whole new generation of readers.

As with previous 'Ologies books, budding enthusiasts are left in the hands of true experts of their particular fields --- from world-renowned wizards and dragonologists to pirate hunters and archaeologists. In this installment, antiquities collector John Oro has set sail to tour the sites of ancient Greece in 1826, armed with a textbook on Greek mythology as his guide. Written by his friend and colleague, Lady Hestia Evans, this colorful and intricately detailed volume offers a comprehensive introduction to the gods, heroes and monsters, as well as historical and geographical trivia and retellings of some of the popular myths. The absorbing and thought-provoking text is also generously supplemented with antiquated maps, an astrological constellation chart, a genealogy table and instructions on mastering the basics of Greek letters.

Running amok around these ancient locales, Oro records the details of his trip scribbled within the margins of the book. He even includes letter paper and a feather quill for readers to chronicle their own discoveries, as well as some of the curiosities he's pocketed along the way --- like a piece of the golden fleece, a silver coin used to pay fare across the River Styx and a golden oak leaf oracle of Zeus. Through his notes, readers also discover the Englishman's rather foolish request made atop Mount Olympus, in which he ultimately meets the same fate as one of the most popular figures in Greek lore.

Cleverly written, richly illustrated and replete with hands-on novelties, trivia booklets and pop-ups, this fanciful book provides the perfect introduction to the mesmerizing and timeless tales of Ancient Greece in an interactive and creative way that is perfect for readers of all ages.

    --- Reviewed by Marisa Emralino

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