Title: Live Like A Goddess: Life Lessons from Legends and Lore

Written by: Jean Menzies

Illustrated by: Taylor Dolan

Published by: Hachette Children’s Books

Live Like A Goddess: Life Lessons from Legends and Lore is a compilation of inspiring stories of twenty-one deities from around the world. This book is a joy to behold. I particularly liked the bright pink end pages that catch your eye from the moment you open the book.

The book is split into three parts:

• Looking Around You
• Looking Inwards
• Looking to Others.

At the beginning of each story Jean Menzies provides a bit of background information on the goddess, the story itself is told respectfully without judgement and at the end of the story she gives her perspective of the story and the message it brings. In this way each story highlights sonder – how everybody has their own lives with their own problems. For some the realisation that each random passer-by is living a life as vivid and complex as your own may come as a revelation, which is great for encouraging empathy and discussing diversity.

Live Like A Goddess: Life Lessons from Legends and Lore provides a truly multi-cultural perspective of females throughout the myths and legends. Even the black and white illustrations by Taylor Dolan to accompany each story are drawn in a way that matches each cultures heritage, from the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes and fire to the Bantu goddess creator of the world. This book highlights how every culture celebrates tales of myths of daring and brave goddesses. These legendary ladies were tenacious, smart and strong. For example:

• Osun, the Yoruba goddess of love who refuses to be dismissed because of her gender and stands up to those who believe women are less important than men.
• Rhiannon, the Welsh Queen of fairies who wont let anyone makes decisions for her and follows her own heart.
• Freyja, the Norse goddess of love and death who doesn’t give into pressure, sets boundaries and is comfortable being a single independent woman.

I predominantly liked the way Jean Menzies invites the readers to look deeper for their own interpretations of the stories to give meaning to their own lives. This requires readers to read for comprehension and interrogate the text meeting the requirements of both key stage two and key stage three programmes of study. Consequently, each story can be understood in the readers own unique way and each carries a message of wisdom that will inspire event the most reluctant reader to look at their life with hope and empowerment.

From demanding respect and standing your ground to helping others, these mythological tales of bold and daring women will teach young adults how to live confidently, courageously and fearlessly.

I have previously reviewed another of Jean Menzies books, Goddesses and Heroines – Meet More than 80 Legendary Women from Around the World. This book was illustrated by Katie Ponder and published by DK Books. to read the review go to: Book Review: Goddesses and Heroines – Meet More than 80 Legendary Women from Around the World