Demeter and Persephone: Homeric Hymn Number Two

by Penelope Proddow, Barbara Cooney (Illustrator)

Watercolor illustrations complement a modern translation of the narrative poem which offers a mythical explanation for the earth's seasons

Genres: Picture Books, Poetry, Childrens, Mythology, Classics

32 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1972

Reviews

[Mir · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was read to me by my mother when I was small. At the time I of course did not realize it was a translation of a Classical poem. It does not seem stilted at all! I am impressed at how Pruddow managed to be faithful to the source material and the gravity of the story without making it either too turgid or too frightening (there is, after all, abduction, sorrow, and starvation) for a young audience. And the illustrations are beautiful.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of a series of three titles adapted by Proddow from the Homeric Hymns , this picture-book presents the story of the abduction of Persephone, and the consequent grief and self-imposed exile of her mother, Demeter. Unlike many of the more simplified versions of this myth available for children, this retelling includes Demeter's stay at Eleusis before her (partial) reunion with Persephone.

While there are many children's books devoted to the subject of Greek mythology, these titles by Penelope Proddow are the only ones with which I am familiar that take the Hymns as their acknowledged source, and attempt to present these stories in their original (if somewhat abbreviated) literary form. For that alone, they are worth examining. The color illustrations by Barbara Cooney, a two-time Caldecott winner, have a distinct charm to them, a sort-of "retro-groovy" folk style. Hardly surprising given that these books were produced in the early 1970s.

While I wholeheartedly endorse this book, and the companion ones devoted to Dionysos and Hermes, readers should be aware that this is not the usual fare available in mythology books for children. The text is based on a poem written more than 2000 years ago in dactylic hexameter. It is in non-rhyming poetic form, and uses vocabulary with which a young child might be unfamiliar. While not the best book to introduce children to Greek mythology, I do think it is fabulous for the older child who has shown an interest. They already know the stories, now start introducing them to the actual literature.

[Moira]

MIIIIIIIIIIIINE it is so gorgeous.

[Kate𖤓 · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art was pretty!

[Crystal M · Rating 5 out of 5]

So beautiful, illustrations and prose! I LOOOOVE vintage children’s book illustrations and Cooney was the perfect choice to illustrate- gentle hippie vibes, lovely compositions and brush strokes. A new favorite.

[Donna Kirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

all books barbara cooney. she illustrated a book about emily dickinson and the famous miss rumphius.

[Kathryn]

love the cover art!

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is beautiful book--all ages will enjoy the story as it is told as well as the beautiful illustrations. I have even used it with high school students.