Song to Demeter

Demeter, the Greek goddess of fertility, finds that Pluto has taken her daughter Persephone to the land of the dead as his queen. She wanders the earth cursing the ground; thus winter comes, and with it famine. Zeus orders the bride returned to her mother, but she must live with Pluto four months of the year. Thus the cycle of seasons begins, when each spring Persephone comes back to her mother. The text relies on a familiarity with mythology, although a note at the beginning clears up ambiguities for those new to the story. A powerful myth, here it istold in a passive, reportorial style that lacks emotion. Nevertheless, the authors' embroidery and applique technique gives the story a richly textured look and unusual dimension. Ages 5-8. (March)