The genesis of the Egyptian gods is complicated, beginning with Ra's breath (which becomes the god Shu) and spittle (which takes the form of Tefnut). The book hits its stride when readers get to the gods' individual stories.
These longer, more complex narratives will appeal to a slightly older audience than that of Donna Jo Napoli's Treasury of Greek Mythology and to those ready for more after D'Aulaire's Book of Greek Myths or Rick Riordan's Kane Chronicles. The triangle between Usir (god of the Afterlife), his wife, Aset (aka Isis), and the jealous god Set is especially riveting. Set wreaks havoc on Usir and Aset's son, Heru Sa Aset, the inspiration for one of artist Christina Ballit's most glorious images. Hut Heru (Set's wife) restores Heru Sa Aset's sight by pouring the milky way over his brow, in midnight and cornflower blue swaths of swirling patterns--checks, circles and stars. --Jennifer M. Brown, children's editor, Shelf Awareness