Book Review Blitz: Mini Myths Board Books by Joan Holub

About the Books

Title: Be Patient, Pandora! (Mini Myths)
Author: Joan Holub 
Illustrator: Leslie Patricelli | 
Publication Date: September 16, 2014  
Publisher: Abrams Appleseed
Pages: 24  
Recommended Ages: 1 to 5


Summary: When Pandora is warned by her mother not to open a box, her spirited curiosity trumps her obedience. Pandora harmlessly touches the box, innocently leans on the box, and eventually, albeit accidentally, bursts the box open! The cupcakes that were hidden inside are ruined, except for one last vestige, which Pandora presents in the hope that her mother still loves her. Leslie Patricelli’s depictions of this physical comedy bring a lively narrative to Joan Holub’s carefully crafted text. Includes a summary of the original Pandora’s Box myth at the end.

Purchase “Be Patient, Pandora!”:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | iTunes

Title: Play Nice, Hercules! (Mini Myths)
Author: Joan Holub 
Illustrator: Leslie Patricelli 
 Publication Date: September 16, 2014  
Publisher: Abrams Appleseed
Pages: 24  
Recommended Ages: 1 to 5


Summary: Hercules is not as interested in “playing nice” as he is in playing strong! But when one feat of strength destroys his little sister’s 12-piece tower, he must use his powers for good to restore the tower and seek her forgiveness. She forgives him indeed, and then shows her own strength by gleefully knocking down the stacked blocks herself! Joan Holub’s expertly focused text pairs perfectly with Leslie Patricelli’s famously humorous illustrations. Includes a summary of the original Hercules’s Twelve Labors myth at the end.

Purchase “Play Nice, Hercules!”:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | iTunes

The Buzz About Mini Myths

Patricelli’s preschool-age Pandora couldn’t be cuter, and an endnote explains the original myth in greater detail.  Genuinely funny and sweet. ~ Publishers Weekly, starred review

Amazon Editors Pick and Amazon Best Books List for September

Remarkably entertaining . . . delightful painted cartoons in rich colors . . . the life lessons the source material inspires are spot-on. ~ Kirkus

About the Author: Joan Holub

Joan Holub’s fascination with mythology inspired Mini Myths, a new board book series that translates famous myths into situations familiar to preschoolers. The first two titles, Be Patient, Pandora! and Play Nice, Hercules! debut in September. Joan co-authors two other mythology series for Simon and Schuster, Goddess Girls (ages 8-12) and Heroes in Training (ages 7-10). Her picture book, Mighty Dads, was a New York Times bestseller in 2014.

Website | Author Blog | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads  |

Facebook | Facebook (Goddess Girls) | Facebook (Grimmtastic Girls) 

About the Illustrator: Leslie Petricelli

Leslie Patricelli is the bestselling author-illustrator of many adorable board books, including Yummy Yucky and Toot!

 

These are excellent books for the preschooler ages 1-5.  Chunky cardboard, with beautiful teaching messages:  playing nice and being patience.  What better message would you teach your children at this age.  You have to start some where.  There is also a page with the mythology information if you want to use it as a discussion starter. 

a copy of these books were provided in exchange for my honest review by....