There are two worthwhile collections of myths for older children from Orion. Atticus the Storyteller's 100 Greek Myths, a handsome book by Lucy Coats (£16.99), is a lively retelling of all the best-known stories, lavishly illustrated by Anthony Lewis. It would be an ideal way to attract new readers to this fascinating world. Kevin Crossley-Holland's Vikings, Myths of Gods and Monsters (£9.99) is aimed at a slightly older audience, is not illustrated, and relies on the force of the language and the imagination of the reader to picture all those strangely named characters: Athal the Offspring, Geirrod and his Grisly Daughters and my favourite, Snot the Serving Woman. These stories are selected from the author's Norse Myths and are told with great spirit and panache.
Among novels for children 8-12, Molly Moon's Incredible Book of Hypnotism by newcomer Georgia Byng (Macmillan, £12.99) is a racy and gripping story which combines the more enjoyable elements of the Roald Dahl books and Annie, with its grim orphanage setting and its relish for the gruesome and grotty. Molly is a redoubtable and believable character, whose mastery of hypnotism transforms her from victim to New York celebrity with predictably disastrous results. Her pug, Petula, is an excellent personality in her own right.
For the same age group, The Assassins of Rome by Caroline Lawrence (Orion, £6.99) is the latest in the exciting 'Roman Mysteries' series, which provide an extremely palatable and accurate introduction to ancient Rome. The three earlier stories are set in Ostia and Pompeii, and it would be best to start at the beginning with The Thieves of Ostia. This series is ideal for anyone planning to take children on holiday to Rome or Pompeii.
A reference book suitable for all ages is 1,000 Years of Famous People (Kingfisher, £19.99). It actually covers much more than 1,000 years, starting with Cheops and ending with Osama bin Laden, by way of almost every personality, good or bad, one has ever heard of, and consists of clear thumbnail sketches and well chosen illustrations.
Lastly, if you want to give old favourites, Edward Ardizzone's Little Tim books have been reissued in a good soft-cover format by Scholastic at £5.99, and Jane Nissen Books has an excellent list of neglected classics in paperback from M. M. Kaye's The Ordinary Princess to Herbert and Eleanor Farjeon's Kings and Queens, from which I derive most of my knowledge of English history. Here is part of Edward VII, for instance:
King Edward wore a HomburgWhat more need one know?
And went to Homburg Spa,
And when he was the Prince of Wales
Was scared of his Mama.
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