Greek Myths - by Ann Turnbull, illustrated by Sarah Young

Greek Myths - by Ann Turnbull, illustrated by Sarah Young

Non-spoiler information

Date read: 5/11/2015

My rating: 7/10

The count of times I have seen this at time of this review: 1st

Likelihood that I will watch this movie again: Doubtful

I classify this as a YA mythology book

This edition that I read is an oversized hardback book, with many painted illustrations. It is split into three different groups of stories:

• Earth, the Heavens , and the Underworld
• Monsters and heroes
• Gods and Mortals

This book addresses many of the more well known myths and a few of the lesser known. 

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Spoiler information

I have always enjoyed Greek mythology, and I believe it started by finding a book similar to this in my elementary school library. It told the stories of the Greek gods, heroes, and monsters, with many illustrations to add to my imagination. Closely followed by this I saw Clash of the Titans (the original back in 1981).

This book divides its stories into three classifications. There is an introduction that talks about all of the gods and then the stories dive right into the action. Sometimes, they are small in scope, other times, they have a more broad application. Many of the stories lead to the next one, which I really enjoyed. The art is dreamy with enough realism to tell the story. For me, I found this refreshing and added greatly to the prose.

As to stories of the major gods, I was a bit surprised how scattered they are. Zeus is mentioned a few times, Hades is a main character in the story of Persephone, and is mentioned in the story prior (Arethusa, which has an interesting tie in that I hadn't heard before). Poseidon is barely mentioned. Hera serves as a villain in one story; Apollo, Ares, and Hephaistus little or nothing told about them. Artemis, Aphrodite, Hermes, and Dionysus have major roles in the stories, and I believe that Athena has the most told about her - she serves as a major figure in the story of Arachne.

The stories are usually brief, but I found them to be entertaining and also were good reading before bed (I could get through a couple without feeling that I was staying up too late).

My oldest son is very interested in Greek mythology currently (thanks mostly to the Percy Jackson movies and books) and by reading this, I was able to be fresh on the subject matter for discussion with him.