The Horn Book Review

Come for the illustrious lineup of narrators; stay for the stories. Presented here on this reissue of a 2000 audiobook (originally published by Airplay) is the whole pantheon of Greek mythology, from the twelve Olympians to the minor gods to the kings and heroes of ancient Greece. The retellings shine even fifty years after their original publication and even without the d'Aulaires' glorious illustrations: here are tales full of adventure, intrigue, rescues, betrayals, transformations, love, lust, tragic fates, and petty squabbles. The d'Aulaires don't shy away from the less salubrious aspects of the myths yet never forget their target audience (they include, for instance, many pourquoi stories -- how peacock feathers got their "eyes," why dolphins are the most human of all animals). The superstar narrators -- Olympians in their own right -- clearly relish this material and deliver expert performances. Paul Newman is quietly compelling describing the epic creation of the Earth, the Titans, and Zeus; Kathleen Turner brings an appropriate passion to Zeus and Hera's tumultuous courtship; Sidney Poitier lingers dramatically on the gruesome details of Prometheus's punishment. Unobtrusive original pipe music delineates transitions between narrators. martha v. parravano (c) Copyright 2013. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.