Chinese Mythology: ISBN 978-1-68282-809-0 / eBook: 978-1-68282-810-6
Egyptian Mythology: ISBN 978-1-68282-811-3 / eBook: 978-1-68282-812-0
Greek Mythology: ISBN 978-1-68282-813-7 / eBook: 978-1-68282-814-4
Indian Mythology: ISBN 978-1-68282-815-1 / eBook: 978-1-68282-816-8
Roman Mythology: ISBN 978-1-68282-817-5 / eBook: 978-1-68282-818-2
School Library Connection, Jan/Feb, 2021
Author Don Nardo has done extensive research and created an informational, readable mythology series for middle and high school students. Titles present an overview and chronology of each culture’s mythological stories, and provide descriptions of those stories that were “borrowed” from other cultures. Readers may be surprised to learn how many stories from their own faith have roots in ancient folklore. These books are not an anthology of stories, but rather a detailed synopsis of the evolution of each culture with significant stories told for illustrative purposes. Readers will learn about the importance of dragons in Chinese mythology, that Indian mythology was the beginning of modern-day Hinduism, and that the Romans appropriated stories from the Greeks due to their lineage of development and sophistication. The books are written in such a way that they would support both report-writing and recreational reading. In addition, the illustrations are colorful, expressive, and add a sense of depth to the material. All titles in the series contain a lineage diagram for the respective mythology covered. Overall, an excellent choice for middle and high school media centers and public libraries. Bibliography. Websites.
Karen M. Smith, Head of Children's Services, Livonia Public Library, Livonia, Michigan
Recommended
Chinese Mythology: ISBN 978-1-68282-809-0 / eBook: 978-1-68282-810-6
Egyptian Mythology: ISBN 978-1-68282-811-3 / eBook: 978-1-68282-812-0
Greek Mythology: ISBN 978-1-68282-813-7 / eBook: 978-1-68282-814-4
Indian Mythology: ISBN 978-1-68282-815-1 / eBook: 978-1-68282-816-8
Roman Mythology: ISBN 978-1-68282-817-5 / eBook: 978-1-68282-818-2
School Library Journal, November 1, 2020
Gr 6 Up—Readers are thoroughly schooled in these strongly written, scholarly volumes. This series examines common folkloric motifs and elements, how and why the myths developed, who the ancient people were, and what and why they believed. Myths are incorporated into background details; each culture’s mythic principles are explored, as well as the powers of gods. Some tales are gory, such as a few of the stories featured in Egyptian Mythology and Greek Mythology. Some narratives include sexual situations and nudity. Roman Mythology devotes a chapter to female gods and features a subsection titled "Sexual Loyalty for the Good of Rome." The final chapter of each title explains how myths/gods are "celebrated" in today's society or interpreted in popular media. The gods or key characters are highlighted in orange boxes when first introduced. Photos, paintings, and other artworks represent cultures; additional graphics would have been helpful. Sidebars share myths and additional information. VERDICT Recommended for public libraries and sophisticated upper graders. Strongest: Greek Mythology and Roman Mythology.
Chinese Mythology: ISBN 978-1-68282-809-0 / eBook: 978-1-68282-810-6
Egyptian Mythology: ISBN 978-1-68282-811-3 / eBook: 978-1-68282-812-0
Greek Mythology: ISBN 978-1-68282-813-7 / eBook: 978-1-68282-814-4
Indian Mythology: ISBN 978-1-68282-815-1 / eBook: 978-1-68282-816-8
Roman Mythology: ISBN 978-1-68282-817-5 / eBook: 978-1-68282-818-2
Booklist, December 1, 2020
The World Mythology series is perfect for readers searching for a well-researched resource on myths and gods, which are covered in each book. Chinese Mythology also explores the history of the Chinese people, the evolution of religious systems, and origin stories about nature and animals. In Egyptian Mythology, readers learn about the important role of magic in Egyptian life, along with political and religious changes Egypt underwent and the influence of Egyptian beliefs on other cultures. Indian Mythology takes care to address how Hinduism's gods changed over time and the roles of love and demons in their myths. In Roman Mythology, the importance of myths in relating the origins of Rome and its people is discussed, along with the influence of Greece on Roman beliefs and the role of women in mythology. Each title pulls readers in with a mythological story and includes large color illustrations and photographs, an organizational chart featuring major gods and deities, organized sections, and large green text boxes with additional tales from mythology. In a few unfortunate instances, the author adopts a condescending tone when discussing prehistoric cultures, describing them as "culturally backward" or a "dingy little farming community." This quibble aside, these books discuss how ancient beliefs still influence the present-day world. Source notes and recommended books and websites conclude.
—Selenia Paz