Who’s Who: Greek Mythology

Hannah Sheldon-Dean

Thomas Nelson US, 2024

192pp., hbk., RRP $A24.99

9781646434565

Long, long ago, at least 1200 years before Jesus Christ was born and the modern calendar began to have some sort of starting point, the Ancient Greeks ruled the lands around the Mediterranean Sea in a series of city-states, each with its own government, often a king. Despite being separate entities, nevertheless their cultures had much in common including the worshipping of many gods and goddesses, often used to explain those things that seemed to be without explanation.  

Yet, despite being such a long time ago, those deities which were so important and which featured in so many stories, poems, artworks, buildings and traditions still spill into the modern world – the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris being a prime example – as well as references to them in the many modern superhero and fantasy stories that have captivated young readers in recent years.  And so, it is not surprising that there remains an interest in who’s who, how they connect, what their influences were, and all the other elements that mean their stories are repeated over and over the generations and millennia. 

Brave Heracles, mighty Zeus, wise Athena, beautiful Helen, and more come to life in this new collection of easily-accessible information that explains what young readers need to know if they are to understand what powers the stories they enjoy including 

• A brief history of ancient Greece as well as the Olympian family tree (which will be a focus in the coming weeks)
• In-depth profiles for each of the major gods, goddesses, heroes, and demigods and the myths surrounding them
• Awesome and terrifying mythological creatures, including Medusa and the Minotaur

There are stories of  heroism, jealousy, vengeance, love, fate, honour, and hubris that will rival modern novels, each accompanied by vibrant illustrations that will inspire the imagination.

For independent readers, this one reaches far beyond that initial primary school audience, offering something for anyone with an interest in the tales that continue to underpin life in the 21st century.