A Gift from Zeus

A Gift from Zeus succinctly tells sixteen classical myths in humorous prose interspersed with witty verse. Those myths are the stories of Prometheus, Demeter and Persephone, Midas, Daphne and Apollo, Leda, Pygmalion, Europa, Venus and Adonis, Daedalus and Icarus, Arachne, Hero and Leander, Perseus, Echo and Narcissus, Bellerophon, Theseus, and Orpheus and Eurydice. The language ("On the ravaged earth he ravaged the girl") and drawings are NOT for young children. This book is for teens and adults and is best enjoyed by someone who knows the myths already. If you're looking for a serious and comprehensive overview of Classical Mythology, try Edith Hamilton's Mythology. If you want a funny, irreverent look at myths, this book is for you.

unless you want to be dead or inanimate. This book is delightfully wry in its retellings, and William Steig's illustrations strike the perfect (irreverent) note. It's not really a kids' book, mostly because few kids will appreciate the dry humor, but I think there are plenty of 10 and ups who will understand what is going on (and if they don't, no big deal). True, I won't be able to get away with reading it to my (K-6)school library classes, but there are plenty of kids in the 10 plus age range for whom it's appropriate. If they can read it and they want to read it, let them! Of greater importance: don't miss it yourself!