Reviews: (by author)

(2 Reviews)

Storrie, Paul and Steve Kurth (Illus.). Hercules: the Twelve Labors. Minneapolis: Lerner, 2006.

What hero is better suited to a graphic novel format than the great Hercules, the big, muscle-bound lunk of Greek myth? The narrative tells almost the whole story. It starts with the semi-divine birth and goes through all twelve labors. Wisely, this version ends here, before Hercules’ downfall.

Lerner’s new series of graphic novels based on myth and legend is an enticing format through which many otherwise uninterested readers might be led to longer books.

A. Allison, June 2007

Storrie, Paul. Yu the Great. Illus. Sandy Carruthers. Minneapolis: Lerner, 2007. ISBN 0-8225-3088-0. $26.60

Yu the Great is the legendary character who saved ancient China from yet another of the floods that have plagued that country, alternating with drought. Storrie has a gift for the dramatic and tells the intricate story well, using flashbacks to fill the readers in on what happened well before Yu was born. Jealous gods require diplomacy but also a good fight as Yu and his mates—e.g. a golden dragon, fight for humankind. This is a good introduction to Chinese mythology, as well as a vividly told adventure/quest story—designed for grades 4-8.

The lushly-colored art with its vigorous portrayals of action scenes complements the exciting story.

A. Allison, June 2007

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