Good Job, Athena!

Mini Myths

by Joan Holub, Leslie Patricelli (Illustrations)

After Athena ties Arachne’s shoes for her, Arachne takes the credit for Athena’s hard work. But when their friends ask Arachne to teach them how to tie their shoes, Arachne must admit the truth. So Athena comes to the rescue and teaches everybody this important skill. All is forgiven, and the girls are friends again. Conceived and crafted by Greek-mythology expert Joan Holub and illustrated by the bestselling Leslie Patricelli, this book also includes a summary of the original Arachne myth.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Mythology, Kids

24 pages, Hardcover

First published March 8, 2016

About the author

NY Times bestselling children's book author:
GODDESS GIRLS series + HEROES IN TRAINING series (w Suzanne Williams); THIS LITTLE TRAILBLAZER a Girl Power Primer; ZERO THE HERO; I AM THE SHARK. Lucky to be doing what I love!

Reviews

[zapkode · Rating 5 out of 5]

{My thoughts} – I really enjoy these mini myth books.They let you share complicated life lessons with your small children in a very simple way. It is brightly colored and eye appealing. It also has easy to turn pages for small hands. At the end of each book is an explanation of the myth in a much more explanatory fashion.

In this particular book Athena teaches others how to make bows. She is helpful and she doesn’t have a problem teaching others the things that she knows. This helps to make Athena extremely well liked by many.

I look forward to sharing this book with my children over and over again.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very sute, simple retelling of the myth. I imagine we'll reread this one a lot.

[Natverse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Athena...invented bows? SHE'S AMAZING. Also a genius. Very pleased with her representation. What a cutie.

[Alicia Evans · Rating 2 out of 5]

Athena can tie bows, so she helps a classmate only to have them take credit for her work. The informative section in the back gives more context to the myth, though it also shows that this story doesn't connect well to the myth. The discussion of the original myth is not required to enjoy the story. In fact, it may be better to interact with the book without knowledge of the original myth as this is SO far off.

For: fans of myths/Classics; readers looking for a book about being helpful to others, even if they aren't as kind to you.

Possible red flags: feeling left out; bragging.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mini Myths series are simultaneously really cute board books that little kids will enjoy, teaching lessons and having silly characters; AND they are also wildly inventive ways of reinterpreting classic myths into stories that kids can understand and appreciate without needing to know the background at all. LOVEEE this series

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

See my review of Please Share, Aphrodite! for general thoughts on this series.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is so cute

[Vani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 stars

[Ella · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

Cute book for very little kids. I personally enjoyed this one more than Brush Your Hair, Medusa because it had more story and better content.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Encouraging kids is always a good thing

[Joel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joan Holub AND Leslie Patricelli? Power duo.

[Andrés · Rating 3 out of 5]

The format of mini myths is good. I don't think Arachne "took credit" for Athena's bows. She was just excited to have them. So perhaps not the best mapping of the story.

[Harumichi Mizuki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jadi anak yang tali sepatunya diiketin sama Athena itu personifikasi dari Arachne? Oh wow!

[Miss Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple board book with clear simple text about Athena tying a bow for her friend and then everybody admiring the bow. Who will get credit for the bow? And can everyone learn to tie bows?

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The pictures are pretty good, and it's refreshing that the characters are not all white. The story is awkwardly preachy. The whole "taking credit for something someone else did" piece is not conveyed clearly. Even given the level of simplification required to retell a Greek myth in boardbook form, the connection between the story and the original myth is extremely tenuous.
I received a free copy of this book as a Goodreads Giveaway.

[Ame · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barebones alternate take on Athena. This ADORABLE Athena is the best at making bows! Includes a blurb on Greek Athena at the end.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter loves this book!! such a sweet way to learn!