“Goddesses and Gardens,” retold by Valerie Tripp and illustrated by Teresa Martinez, is an absolute gem for young readers, especially girls. It’s the perfect bedtime story — quick to read, yet packed with enchantment.
This book features three captivating tales from Greek mythology: Demeter and Persephone, Echo and Narcissus, and Circe. And here’s the big bonus — if you grab a copy, you’ll also get a magical full-size poster of three epic goddesses!
The illustrations? They’re stunning! Many of them take over entire pages, with some stretching across two pages, bringing the stories to life in vivid color.
Right from the inside cover, the book draws you in with the line: “Only the bravest enter the gardens of the powerful goddesses of Greek myths!”
Turn the book over to its back, and you’ll discover: “Greek Myths: Where goddesses command the seasons, trespassers turn into pigs, and every flower has a story.” How poetic is that?
The writing is beautiful, and many of the illustrations are exquisite. I’m sure little ones, especially girls, will absolutely love diving into the enchanting world of “Goddesses and Gardens.”
Here’s a review of the three Greek myths retold in “Goddesses and Gardens” and what to expect, where lush storytelling brings to life the rich tales of Persephone, Demeter, Echo, and Circe.
This collection beautifully intertwines mythology with nature, offering fresh perspectives on timeless heroines and their journeys through love, loss, and rebirth.
Goddesses and Gardens: Demeter and Persephone
The book “Goddesses and Gardens”, begins with the ancient Greek myth of Demeter, Persephone, and Hades.
Demeter was the goddess of the harvest and her daughter Persephone was the epitome of beauty. Both Demeter and Persephone are tied the earth’s fertility.
Hades, the ruler of the underworld, fell for her hard, and wanted to make her his queen to bring some much-needed joy to his gloomy kingdom.
Hades decided to snatch her away, and that’s when things started to go downhill. Demeter was frantically searching for her daughter everywhere, but Persephone was stuck in the underworld, hating every minute of it.
Meanwhile, Zeus, the king of the gods, noticed that the earth was dying because Demeter’s duties were being neglected. He knew that Persephone was with Hades, and told his brother to let her go back to the world above — for the sake of the earth.
Hades loved Persephone, but he also wanted her to be happy. So, he let her go, and she was glad to leave the underworld behind.
But, on her way out, she had a pomegranate to snack on. When she got back to her mom, Demeter was overjoyed to see her daughter, but then Persephone dropped a bombshell: she’d eaten three pomegranate seeds.
That meant she’d have to spend three months of every year back in the underworld with Hades. The earth would flourish during those times when Persephone was with her mom, but during winter, when Demeter was too sad to make anything grow, things would get a little bleak. But when Persephone returns to her mom, bringing spring with her, everything comes back to life.
Persephone: More Magical Stories
If you’re into the story of Persephone, you’ll definitely want to check out the Lore Olympus graphic novel series. It’s got a fresh, modern spin that really stands out!
In addition, another fantastic read is PERSEPHONE, a graphic novel which blends wizardry with Greek mythology. It’s got that cool anime vibe and is sure to resonate with young girls, too! Perfect for anyone who loves a twist on classic Greek myths!
Goddesses and Gardens: Echo and Narcissus
The illustrations in this “Echo and Narcissus” myth are totally stunning, giving it a whimsical touch that’s almost like a Disney movie waiting to happen.
The tale of Echo and Narcissus is a tragic love story rooted in ancient Greek mythology. While this rendition deviates from the traditional narrative, it remains a captivating story for children.
Echo, a sweet and elusive wood spirit, captured the hearts of the gods and goddesses. She had strong feelings for Narcissus, but there was a problem — she was ridiculously shy, and her voice only echoed the words and sounds she heard from others.
Echo fell head over heels for Narcissus, but he wasn’t exactly the romantic type. He thought he was way out of her league, and rejected her outright.
The gods and goddesses were not happy about this, so they called upon Nemesis, the goddess of revenge, to teach Narcissus a lesson. The illustration of Nemesis spotting Narcissus by a pool of water is totally iconic — it’s a moment that’s frozen in time. It’s not the dreamy image you see above, but another fantastic illustration!
As Nemesis works her magic, the pool of water becomes as smooth as a mirror. As Narcissus catches sight of his own reflection, he’s immediately smitten by his own image, But in the end, his love turns out to be a fatal attraction. Narcissus becomes one with the earth, transforming into a beautiful flower.
Echo, on the other hand, remains wild and free, moving so quickly that she’s always just out of sight. It’s a poignant ending to a tragic love story, but one that’s still captivating and beautiful in its own way.
Goddesses and Gardens: Circe
The final story in “Gods and Goddesses” is the tale of Circe and Odysseus. Honestly, this one didn’t quite capture my imagination like the others, especially when it came to the illustrations — they felt a bit all over the place.
You first see Circe hanging out with Helios, her dad, who’s sporting a seriously stern vibe. And Circe herself? She looked more like your average gal than the powerful enchantress she’s supposed to be.
But hey, let’s break down the story. So, Circe is the daughter of Helios, the sun god. After showing some kindness to a man her dad had cursed, she got banished to a lonely island — talk about a raw deal.
One day, some shipwrecked sailors stumbled onto her shores, but let’s just say she wasn’t thrilled to have unexpected guests.
They were starving and, of course, dove right into her food without asking. Not cool, guys.
Circe whipped up some magical drinks using her herb stash and invited the sailors to indulge. Most of them turned into pigs — classic move, for sure. But Odysseus, the clever Greek hero, didn’t drink.
Instead, he laid out their epic journey: ten years of war, wild winds sending them off track, falling for the lotus-eaters’ enchantment, and even a tussle with the Cyclops.
After hearing his tale, Circe’s icy demeanor thawed. She turned the crew back into men and opened her island up to them.
Odysseus and his gang ended up hanging out for a whole year, repairing their ship, building Circe a cozy new pad, and working her garden. It was a pretty sweet setup, and Circe started to appreciate their company. But eventually, the guys longed to return to Ithaca.
In a gracious move, Circe helped Odysseus find his way home and filled their bags with food for the journey. It made her remember how nice it was to be kind.
From that moment onward, whenever new sailors found themselves on her island, Circe embraced them with open arms, nourishing their bodies and souls until they were ready to embark on their next adventure.
She blossomed from a solitary witch into the epitome of warmth and hospitality, transforming her once-deserted island into a vibrant sanctuary of hope and healing. Isn’t that inspiring?
The story concludes on a beautifully uplifting note, with the final illustration capturing the radiant essence of a Greek island, making it a perfect ending to this delightful children’s book!
For a more complete storytelling experience of the legendary adventures of Odysseus and his crew, check out The Odyssey: A Graphic Novel Review. This memorable book, notable for its unique artwork, is certainly worth exploring!
Goddesses and Gardens (Greek Myths): Review
I’d give “Gods and Goddesses” a solid 7.5 out of 10. It’s a fun read, especially for young girls in my opinion, but I’m sure boys will like it too. These are inspirational Greek myth love stories that have wide appeal.
My favorite Greek myth out of the three in the book was definitely the one about Echo and Narcissus. It was beautifully told and had that magical Disney vibe that really made it stand out.
The illustrations in “Goddesses and Gardens” were mostly fantastic, though a couple didn’t quite hit the mark, particularly in Circe’s story. She seemed a bit… plain for my taste. It felt almost intentional, since the other goddesses had this dreamy, ethereal quality, while Circe looked more down to earth.
All in all, the book is very well done, and if you’ve got little ones, it makes for a perfect bedtime story. It’s got that sweet dreams energy, so definitely grab a copy!
Check Availability and Pricing: Goddesses and Gardens (Greek Myths)
If you’re looking for a top Greek mythology book for kids, you can’t go wrong with “The Orchid Book of Greek Myths.” This incredible read will definitely spark kids’ imaginations about the legendary gods and goddesses of Olympus. The book is awesome!
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