Title of the work
Country of the First Edition
Country/countries of popularity
Original Language
First Edition Date
First Edition Details
Amanda Brack, Monica Sweeney, Becky Thomas, Brick Greek Myths: the stories of Heracles, Athena, Pandora, Poseidon and other ancient Heroes of Mount Olympus. Skyhorse publishing, New York, 2014, 272 pp.
ISBN
Genre
Comics (Graphic works)
Illustrated works
Myths
Target Audience
Children
Cover
Courtesy of Skyhorse publishing.
Author of the Entry:
Ayelet Peer, Bar-Ilan University, ayelet.peer@gmail.com
Peer-reviewer of the Entry:
Lisa Maurice, Bar-Ilan University, lisa.maurice@biu.ac.il
Elżbieta Olechowska, University of Warsaw, elzbieta.olechowska@gmail.com
Amanda Brack (Illustrator)
From the book Brick Greek Myths: the stories of Heracles, Athena, Pandora, Poseidon and other ancient Heroes of Mount Olympus :
Amanda is a freelance illustrator. “She graduated from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts and is currently living near Boston, Massachusetts.” (2144-6)
Bio prepared by Ayelet Peer, Bar Ilan University, ayelet.peer@gmail.com
Monica Sweeney
From the book Brick Greek Myths: the stories of Heracles, Athena, Pandora, Poseidon and other ancient Heroes of Mount Olympus:
Monica “is writing partners with Becky Thomas” (2147).
Bio prepared by Ayelet Peer, Bar-Ilan University, ayelet.peer@gmail.com
Becky Thomas
From the book Brick Greek Myths: The Stories of Heracles, Athena, Pandora, Poseidon and Other Ancient Heroes of Mount Olympus:
Becky “is writing partners with Monica Sweeney” (2147).
Bio prepared by Ayelet Peer, Bar Ilan University, ayelet.peer@gmail.com
Summary
This is a retelling of many mythological stories using the creative imagination of the authors, with Lego© bricks. The myths are specially adapted for children. The myths presented in this book are:
Creation and the Birth of Zeus; Prometheus’s Fire and Pandora’s Box; Phaethon and the Chariot of the Sun; Hades, Persephone, and the Story of the Seasons; Eurydice and Orpheus; Athena and Poseidon’s Contest for Athens; Arachne’s Web; Perseus’s Quest; Perseus and Medusa; Perseus and Atlas; Perseus and Andromeda; Perseus and the Prophecy; Artemis and Apollo; Artemis and Orion; Artemis and Actaeon; Atalanta; Daedalus and Icarus; The Minotaur; Tantalus; Sisyphus; Marathon; Narcissus; Heracles: The Birth of the Divine Hero; Heracles and Eurystheus; The Twelve Labors of Heracles; Heracles and Admetus; Heracles and Eurytus; Heracles and Omphale; Heracles and Deianira; Heracles and Nessus; Heracles, Iole, and Deianira; Jason and the Golden Fleece. The myths are abbreviated, and instead of the usual illustrations we find in this kind of retelling of myths, we have photographs of specific scenes depicted by the use of Lego© characters.
Analysis
The authors see this book as their edition to a long tradition of retelling classical myths. They give a short introduction at the beginning in which they specify how there are many variations on the classical myths, and their work contributes to this variety. Unfortunately, there is no explanation regarding the selection process for the myths chosen for the book. Using the Lego© characters instead of illustrations to depict certain elements from the stories is a nice touch and might even influence kids to re-enact the myths using their Lego© bricks.
The only odd episode is about Marathon; a historical event sandwiched within all the mythological stories. This could cause a bit of confusion since Marathon was not a myth but a historical event.
Addenda
This entry refers to the Kindle edition.
