With a rhyme and a large, colored-pencil cartoon of monsters and heroes in action for every letter, this picture book may look like it's for preschoolers. Like others in this publisher's  alphabet series, however, it isn't. The lengthy, detailed sidebars of text (unfortunately the type is very cramped) are packed with complex commentary; and the wry, irreverent tone is definitely for readers who already know something about the myths. Browsers will have fun moving from the dramatic, sometimes gruesome stuff (such as Odysseus "Escaping Circe and the Sirens' song / the one-eyed giant, the cannibal throng") to the origin of words such as hubris, phobia, and panic. A final page includes a detailed glossary of the gods and their symbols.

Gr 4-6 In the typical series style, Greek mythology is explored. Each letter is featured in a rhymed verse, some more successful than others. On sidebars, the concept or story is explored further, making the book suitable for children seeking additional information on the subject. While mainly focused on myths, the text also delves into lifestyles and history. Some readers may be confused as to the difference between actual Greek history and mythology, yet there is still an abundance of detail held within these pages; the "Glossary of Gods" does help in sorting out the characters. Coupled with the advanced text, the humorous and sometimes bawdy watercolor cartoons put this into the older age range, though the picture-book format may be off-putting for this audience. A mixed bag for larger collections. Angela J. Reynolds, Annapolis Valley Regional Library, Bridgetown, NS, Canada