This book focuses on minor gods and heroes of ancient Greek mythology, deftly handling such stories as "Jason and the Argonauts" and "Echo and Narcissus." Kimmel's text is clear and accessible (though, compared with the classic d'Aulaire, largely sanitized). Montserrat's angular digital illustrations are visually enticing enough for young readers while incorporating a tongue-in-cheek humor older readers will enjoy. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.

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).--Engberg, Gillian Copyright 2008 Booklist

K-Gr 5-From "Prometheus" to "Perseus and Medusa," Kimmel presents 12 favorite legends, streamlining events into selections concise enough to share with a class and enticing enough to whet appetites for more. Blending ancient motifs and patterns with modern-looking textures and hues, the stylized paintings grandly depict characters both mortal and divine. (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

In these 12 retellings, the Immortals come across as unusually benign. Dionysius at first suggests to King Midas that he give his excess wealth to the poor, for instance; the troubles that Pandora releases are originally imprisoned in the box by Prometheus's brother Epimetheus out of compassion for humankind; and it's Persephone herself who begs for a compromise that will allow her to stay with her beloved Hades for six months out of every year. Kimmel relates each tale in easy, natural-sounding language. And even though his Andromeda looks more Celtic than Ethiopian (as the oldest versions of the story have it), Montserrat's figures combine appropriate monumentality with an appealing expressiveness. The stories are all familiar and available in more comprehensive collections, but the colorful illustrations and spacious page design make this a good choice for shared reading. (foreword) (Nonfiction. 8-10) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.