11/01/2015
Gr 2–4—Constellations serve here as springboards for abbreviated stories from Greek and Roman mythology. These simplified versions of complex tales becomes fragmented and sometimes confusing, as many characters with odd names are briefly mentioned or covered in only a few short sentences. No explanations are given for the angry, hateful actions of the Greek gods, such as Juno attempting to kill baby Hercules by putting snakes in his crib. Hercules kills "the terrible Nemean (NEE-mee-uhn) Lion" in two different books; Leo the Lion offers a clearer, fuller account. Perseus is featured quite frequently, appearing in Pegasus and Cassiopea as well as in his own volume. The Great Bear Story begins with a Greek episode but then mentions bear-in-the-sky tales from other cultures. This book, in the end, invites children to consider what animal the constellation Ursa Major might look like and also to look for pictures in the stars. The other titles mention months when readers should look for those constellations without explaining their likely location in the sky. Constellation drawings open and close each volume, and handsome pictures of characters and events face each small page of text. VERDICT The interesting idea gives short shrift to storytelling, but these will do if all that readers require is a bare-bones overview.
