(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Christina Balit. Napoli (Treasury of Norse Mythology et al.) presents the legendary tales of Scheherazade. A helpful introduction draws attention to the "stories within stories within stories within the overarching story" structure; sidebars provide further context for readers. Well-sourced back matter tells more about the author's "literary license" along with information about "the Ancient Arab World." Lush, luminous illustrations appear throughout. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Christina Balit. This third collaboration by Napoli and Balit (Treasury of Greek Mythology; Treasury of Egyptian Mythology) is ideally not readers' first encounter with Norse mythology, as its plethora of names and places can be difficult to keep straight. However, those already familiar with the pantheon will appreciate the chatty, witty text, accompanied by Balit's striking, angular, resplendent-hued illustrations. Timeline. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Christina Balit. Napoli brings a storyteller's art and a scholar's diligence to the myriad deities of ancient Egypt. Skillfully structuring her narrative from early creation stories to the Third Dynasty's Imhotep, she weaves a well-chosen sample of myths into a disarmingly informal narrative. Illustrator Balit gathers ancient Egyptian forms and motifs into dynamic compositions. Beautiful and indispensable. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Joanna Rudge Long | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2014

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Christina Balit. Napoli follows Greek mythology's evolution from its creation story and elemental early deities to the psychologically resonant lives of later heroes. Her language is animated and thoughtful, her characters fully equipped with histories and emotions that propel their behavior. Twenty-five deities and mortals get full chapters that include Balit's gloriously star-spangled double page–spread portraits--boldly expressive, large-eyed, muscled figures in a handsome saturated palette. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Joanna Rudge Long | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2012

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Christina Balit. This volume retells stories of kings and queens from the Hebrew Bible, including David and Solomon, Jezebel and Esther. Hoffman has a readable, engaging style. Balit's watercolor, gouache, gold ink, and pencil paintings, with their geometric shapes and flat perspective, recall the art of ancient Egypt and convey the majesty and drama of the stories.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Christina Balit. The vivid colors and gorgeous geometric designs that portray the land and seascapes of ancient Greece, as well as the faces and forms of men, gods, and monsters, make this prose abridgment of Homer's epic a visual delight. The authors simplify the complicated tale of Odysseus, focusing on his bold escapades and family reunion, without sacrificing richness of language and imagery.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Christina Balit. Khepri, the scarab beetle represented in Egyptian paintings and artifacts, saves a prince's life. Told from the beetle's perspective, the first-person narrative is generally forced ("I wished I could cry out, 'NO!' If the prince went down there, he would die"). The colorful illustrations depict a tapestry of Egyptian symbols and objects, and an afterword provides some historical background.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Christina Balit. This book summarizes the myths associated with ten constellations, from Cassiopeia to Argo. Each double-page spread illustrates its constellation, with figures surrounding the foil silver stars embedded in a night sky. Additional information concludes the text, and endpapers map the northern and southern skies. The book succeeds artistically but is too slight to be an astronomy guide.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Christina Balit. This handsome volume provides a fairly comprehensive survey of major characters and events from the Old Testament and the Gospels. Written in an engaging manner, the text is well matched by Balit's lively artwork, which employs a multitude of patterns and colors. Indexes to the biblical references and the characters are included at the end.

Reviewer: Anne St. John

(3) YA Illustrated by Christina Balit. Nine stories narrated by seven women--Igrayne, Morgan le Fay, Nimue, Guinevere, Lyonet, Ragnell, and Elaine of Corbenic--describe the influence that they had on the fate of Arthur and his knights. Although teens may initially be put off by the picture-book look of the thin, tall volume, the sophisticated prose and stylized artwork will soon win them over. The strong voices of these female characters bring a believable human dimension to the old tales.

Reviewer: Anne St. John

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Christina Balit. Mitton describes nineteen of the animal constellations. Although the text does not always make clear where these can be found, star maps for both the Northern and the Southern Hemispheres are included on the endpapers. Vibrant illustrations with silver foil stars help the reader visualize the constellations. The last two pages give more information about stars and the night skies.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley