Myth

[Micah]

Summary
Brian Karas tells the story of Zeus as a child before he became the Ruler of Heaven and Earth. An introduction to Greek mythology, this story describes how a young and fearless boy takes a journey through life, learning secrets and facing many obstacles. Read on to experience the adventures!

Professional Review #1
Gillian Engberg (Booklist, Feb. 1, 2010 (Vol. 106, No. 11))
With action-packed artwork and goofy humor, Karas imagines Zeus as a young boy and then an awkward teen, all before he reigned over Mount Olympus. Raised on isolated Crete by a magical she-goat, Zeus longs for playmates. Then he learns the truth about his family: his father, Cronus, ate his siblings; only Zeus was spared by living in secret exile. Determined to rescue his family, he leaves his safe island, finds his father, and delivers a magic potion, which induces a mighty belch that expels his long-lost brothers and sisters ("looking surprisingly good") from Cronus' belly. Together, the siblings fling their father into the sea, but their troubles are far from over. Karas continues Zeus' danger-defying journey, from the underworld to Earth and finally to Mount Olympus, where he takes the throne. The irreverent words ("Let's go get 'em!"), occasional songs, vibrant mixed-media art, and constant action make this a great choice for group sharing, and kids will see their own family members among the cast of Karas' humanlike gods, especially the bickering siblings and furious, lonely young Zeus. Grades 1-4.

Professional Review #2
Beverley Fahey (Children's Literature)
Before he reigned supreme on Mount Olympus, Zeus was a plucky kid living in Crete out of sight of his father Cronus. His grandmother told him the harrowing tale of Cronus, who left the Cyclopes and the Hundred-Handers to suffer in the underworld and ate his own children, so afraid was he that one of them would overthrow him. Only Zeus escaped the fate carefully hidden away by his mother. A brave and fearless lad, Zeus sets out to find Cronus and when he meets up with the sleeping monster, he frees his siblings by pouring a foul potion down Cronus' throat. The bickering brothers and sisters in typical fashion fail to heed their little brother's warnings and so it is left to Zeus to liberate the Cyclopes and the Hundred-Handers and slay the mighty Titans by flinging lightning bolts from the highest mountaintop. His chagrined but still grumbling siblings disagree about how things should be run on Mount Olympus until Zeus yells, "From now on we do things my way." And they do. What fun there is in this rollicking and irreverent tale that mixes classical language with simple direct colloquial expressions. The bickering family has all the foibles and fun of a typical modern family, and readers are sure to identify their own sibling among Zeus' many brothers and sisters. The very readable text that abounds with humor just may encourage children to give the myths a "go." The comic illustrations rendered in gouache and pencil have a smoky texture, with the tiny Zeus seemingly no match for the horrific monsters. What child will not giggle at the sight of the siblings being spewed from the mouth of Cronus? It is wacky and irreverent but that is what makes it so appealing. This great real aloud gets a solid two thumbs up. 2010, Scholastic. Ages 6 to 10.

Response to Reviews
For someone not being a huge fan of Greek mythology, I thought this book was an easy read. Karas created a fairly simple storyline that went along well with the illustrations. Engberg thinks that grades 1-4 are best suited for this story partially because of the mixed-media art and ability to relate to family. I think 1st grade is way too young to be reading about a father eating his sons, even if the students know it is Greek mythology. I think the story might be relatable to students in the way that Zeus feels lonely and that his family bickers, but I think it would be inappropriate to students in 1st grade. Fahey thinks that children will be entertained by the “sight of the siblings being spewed from the mouth of Cronus”, even from the young age of 6. However, I think that this might even disturb some children at that age. Children at 6 years also may not necessarily have the ability to pay attention to a lengthy story like this, even if the illustrations are intriguing, so I think this story would be more appropriate to older students that are maybe in 3rd or 4th grade.