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Gr. 4-8. McCaughrean and Clark do for the Romans what they did for the Greeks in Greek Myths (1993). In the introduction, McCaughrean explains how the Romans imported the Greek gods and goddesses and then made up their own stories. After moving quickly through the stories of the Aeneid, McCaughrean hits her storytelling stride with the tale of Romulus and Remus, the twin brothers raised by a wolf. The stories from this point on are compelling, poignant, and less familiar than many Greek myths--for example, there's the tale of Erisychthon, who cut down Ceres' sacred trees and was cursed with such an overwhelming appetite that he eventually ate himself. The retellings are both lyrical and vigorous, and Clark's illustrations are equally lively, matching the emotion of the stories and incorporating Roman-style art. A strong offering that will enhance mythology collections. --Susan Dove Lempke
School Library Journal
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Gr 3-5-This companion to McCaughrean and Clark's Greek Myths (McElderry, 1993) is equally enjoyable. Fifteen tales introducing the Olympians and telling of Romulus and Remus, Philemon and Baucis, or the Sibylline prophecies lead nicely from one to the next, explaining Roman beliefs of fate and destiny in the telling. McCaughrean does this in her short, dramatized text by posing questions or suggesting motivation in a way that almost oversimplifies, or treats the subject casually. But she has accomplished an appealing and approachable introduction to Roman mythology that will make readers want to seek out more. Clark's watercolor-and-pencil illustrations also lend a light touch to the stories, suffusing every page with color in spot or full-page art. On the title page of each story, she imitates Roman art in an illustrated bar, and gives similar stylistic effects in page-number borders, but the bulk of her pictures are in her own appealing style that matches McCaughrean's tone beautifully. Brief notes on the myths make cultural references and hint at the wealth of more stories to be found, though, as there is no bibliography, readers will have to find them on their own. This attractive introduction should whet their appetites.-Nina Lindsay, Oakland Public Library, CA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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From the collaborators behind Greek Myths and Greek Gods and Goddesses, Roman Myths retold by Geraldine McCaughrean, illus. by Emma Chichester Clark, offers 15 stories including "Dreams of Destiny: Aeneas sets out to found an empire" and "Burning the Books: The Sibyl and her prophecies." Many prominent gods and goddesses (e.g, Jupiter, Venus and Diana, the goddess of hunting) and some lesser known are featured throughout. Watercolor illustrations play up the drama in each, and an icon appears as a motif that unifies each tale. (July) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved