Plays of Mythology for Children

Presents twelve original plays that are dramatic adaptations of myths from around the world.

These 24 original plays recreate the enchantment of story hour with adventurous dramatizations of classic mythology. Each play has an introduction with information about its source culture, story genre and historical context, as well as helpful notes for staging, costuming and music.

School Library Journal

Gr 4-6-These 12 selections from 6 continents are written in a melodramatic tone that children will find condescending. In the Norse comedy "Freya's Golden Necklace," Freya calls Thrym an "ill-bred, half-witted, pin-headed, freak-faced ogre." This recurring mix of classic tales with slang is jarring. Unsophisticated, simple songs by the author accompany most of the plays. However, aspects of the collection are useful. Pronunciations of most of the character and place names are provided, stage directions and costuming suggestions are clear, and the stage plans are diagrammed. Unfortunately, the author hasn't taken his own advice to "...never underestimate the capacity for even the youngest children to amaze you with their skill and ingenuity in making a show blossom." Skip this collection and suggest that adults working with children adapt a story from the D'Aulaires or from Geraldine McCaughrean's The Golden Hoard (McElderry, 1996). dePaola's Fin M'Coul (Holiday, 1981) is much more fun as is Warwick Hutton's Theseus and the Minotaur (McElderry, 1989).-Cheri Estes, Detroit Country Day School Middle School, Beverly Hills, MI

L. E. McCULLOUGH, PhD is an educator, playwright, composer, and ethnomusicologist whose studies in music and folklore have spanned cultures throughout the world. He is the author of twenty books of plays, monologues, and scenes for Smith and Kraus. L. E. now has 17 titles in print for young actors.