Ten of the Best Mythical Hero Stories. (Ten of the Best Myths, Legends & Folk Stories). David West. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2015. 24 pp., pbk., hc., pdf & html, $8.95 (pbk.), $18.36 (RLB). ISBN 978-0-7787-1063-9 (pbk.), ISBN 978-0-7787-0785-1 (RLB), ISBN 978-1-4271-7745-2 (pdf), ISBN 978-1-4271-7737-7 (html). Subject Heading: Tales. Grades 5-9 / Ages 9-12. Review by Heidi Henkenhaf. *** /4

excerpt:

Theseus finally arrived at the beast’s lair, which was strewn with human bones. Suddenly, the monstrous form of the Minotaur appeared. Seeing Theseus, it let out a blood-curdling bellow, lowered its head and charged.

The selection of myths, legends and folk stories in the book Ten of the Best Mythical Hero Stories, authored and illustrated by David West, will introduce readers to adventure stories of courage and strength. David West is known for his many illustrated information books for children.

     Some of the mythical hero stories included in this book may be familiar to the readers, classics that continue to be spun in current media again and again. Others may be unknown. There are a few favourites from ancient Greece; Theseus and the Minotaur, Perseus slaying Medusa, Heracles, and Jason and the Golden Fleece. Other stories are from the Mayan civilization, Scandinavia, Persia, Switzerland.

     The short story format of this book allows readers to pick it up, quickly read an adventure and put it down until their next opportunity to read. The author has included some side notes to put the hero’s situation in context. The illustrations add interest and context of the stories.

     I recommend this book because of the interest level of the subject matter, heroes, for the age group. These stories of mythical heroes from ancient civilizations coincide with the school curriculum for grades 5-9. The stories are action packed as are the illustrations.

Recommended.

Heidi Henkenhaf is a librarian at the Vancouver Public Library in Vancouver, BC.

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