From Publishers Weekly
In this stunning volume, Osborne and Howell return from Favorite Greek Myths and Mermaid Tales from Around the World to uncover a cache of tales from another dynamic tradition. Originating from the pre-Christian culture of the Vikings, these 14 legends taken from the Poetic Edda and Prose Edda largely revolve around the incessant squabbling among the energetic Norse gods and goddesses and the ominous frost-giants. Dwarves, dark elves and magical animals also play key roles, while plots feature clever disguises, spells and crafty ploys, many masterminded by this collection's liveliest character, the trickster god Loki. An abundance of well-pitched dialogue makes these potentially dense tales admirably accessible to the target audience. Howell's majestic art, rendered on rag board in acrylics with oil washes, conveys an impressive range of moods as it echoes the stories' key themes, among them the sometimes nebulous nature of good and evil, the effects of the gods' actions on the natural world and the rebirth of life after an apocalyptic confrontation between the deities and their foes marks the end of "time's morning." Subtle line drawings, re-creations of primitive Viking art, scratched onto the surface of each commanding, double-page painting enrich the historical patina. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 3-6?An eye-catching, well-told collection of Norse myths by the team who created Favorite Greek Myths (Scholastic, 1989). In her introduction, Osborne says that her intention in retelling these myths was to "present the stories as simply and clearly as possible, without sacrificing their mythic tone." She certainly accomplishes her goal, for the 14 stories included here all possess a straightforward narrative but never lose sight of their power and magic. Among the myths included are "How Thor Got His Hammer," "The Golden Apples," and "The Death of Balder." Howell's illustrations are an ideal companion to the tales. Using a combination of acrylic and oil paints, the artist creates powerful and memorable images of the gods, goddesses, and giants who populate Norse mythology. While there are other excellent volumes on this topic, Padraic Colum's classic The Children of Odin (Macmillan, 1962) and Ingri and Edgar Parin D'Aulaire's Norse Gods and Giants (Doubleday, 1967; o.p.) among them, Osborne and Howell's title is both accessible and entertaining.?Denise Anton Wright, Illinois State University, Normal
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
