Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Eisenhart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Wacky versions of myths from around the world feature Death.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
The Greeking Out team takes a deep dive into the world of the dead and emerges with wild tales drawn from the myths of many lands. On the Greek side, there's Theseus and Pirithous whose plan to steal Persephone away from Hades (no word what she thought about it) goes badly awry and requires heroic intervention from Heracles. Across the Mediterranean in Egypt, a treacherous rival has murdered Osiris, beloved of the goddess Isis, who is not one to accept the separation. On the other side of the world, the god Quetzalcoatl doesn't agree with his fellow gods who've destroyed the human race (again) and is determined to restore humanity, but it's a challenge. And there's lots more.
Is It Any Good?
The Greeking Out team ventures far from Mt. Olympus in its wacky roundup of wild myths from around the world involving death, the world of the dead, and those who make it their home—happy or otherwise. Whether it's the ill-fated foray of Theseus and Pirithous to kidnap Persephone, the god Quetzalcoatl remaking the human race after his fellow gods have destroyed it, the love of Isis for murdered Osiris, or the slaying of the beloved Baldur by the treacherous Loki, Tales From the Underworld spins traditional stories with a large dose of silly and offers an irresistible, info-packed, and age-appropriate intro to these ancient stories of the dark side. There's also a detailed how-to on mummification, which comes with a "don't try this at home" warning and involves doing gruesome things with actual bodies, which will, of course, appeal to the middle grade set immensely.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how traditions and cultures all over the world seem to have their own Tales From the Underworld, and their own takes on death, mortality, and the afterlife. Why do you think this is such an important storytelling theme—for pretty much as long as there have been humans?
Do you have any favorites stories in Tales From the Underworld? Are there any spooky tales from mythology that you really like that aren't in the book? Which ones?
Why do you think mythology has been so popular for centuries—including now, in an age of science and technology?
Book Details
- Authors :
- Illustrator : J. Espila
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Adventures , Fantasy
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : National Geographic Kids
- Publication date : October 7, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 192
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : November 4, 2025
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