The McElderry Book of Greek Myths (Margaret K. McElderry Book)
These accessible retellings of Greek myths form the third entry in the McElderry Books Collection, which also includes volumes of Grimms’ fairy tales and Aesop’s fables. Kimmel uses spare, direct language and lots of exciting action in his short selections, and passages of dialogue among the characters add to the ancient stories’ sense of immediacy. On every page, Montserrat’s stylish computer-generated artwork picks up on ancient Greek design motifs and creates memorable characters from the mythical archetypes—from sword-wielding soldiers to Medusa and her writhing, poisonous snakes. The organization is thoughtful: the myth of Prometheus, who filled the world with living creatures and gave humans fire, is the first entry. And Kimmel begins the collection with solid answers to the question, “Why bother retelling these ancient stories?” One disappointment: there are no source notes. Give this to readers older than the target readership, especially those seeking a quick overview of myths referenced in recent novels, such as Rick Riordan’s The Lightning Thief (2005). Grades K-3. --Gillian Engberg