Echo Echo: Reverso Poems About Greek Myths

Echo Echo presents Greek myths through a unique poetic format called reverso poems, where the lines can be read both forward and backward to tell different perspectives of the same story. Each spread features a classic tale from Greek mythology, with the forward-reading poem on one side and its reverse on the facing page. The collection includes familiar stories like Pandora's Box, King Midas and the golden touch, and Perseus confronting Medusa. The poems are accompanied by illustrations that reflect both versions of each narrative. Singer's innovative approach allows readers to experience these timeless myths from multiple viewpoints, highlighting the complexity within simple tales. The reversible format creates natural tension between opposing interpretations, mirroring the duality often found in Greek mythology itself.

Readers appreciate how the reverso poem format (reading up/down) provides two perspectives on Greek myths, making complex stories accessible to children. Teachers and librarians note using it successfully with students aged 8-12 to teach both poetry and mythology. Readers highlighted: - Clever wordplay and innovative poem structure - Josee Masse's split illustrations that mirror the dual narratives - Clear explanations of each myth at the bottom of pages Common criticisms: - Some poems work better than others - A few readers found the format confusing - Several noted the myths lose emotional depth in the brief format Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (868 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (102 ratings) "The mirror poems are brilliant... perfect for teaching perspective," wrote one teacher reviewer. A children's librarian noted: "The format makes Greek mythology less intimidating for young readers, though some nuance is lost."

Mirror Mirror by Marilyn Singer This collection presents fairy tales as reverso poems that can be read forward and backward to tell different sides of the same story.

Follow Follow by Marilyn Singer These reverso poems explore classic fairy tales from multiple perspectives, using the same poetic structure as Echo Echo.

Greek Myths by Marcia Williams Comic-strip style panels present Greek myths with multiple narrative voices and perspectives.

Apollo and his Oracle at Delphi by D'Aulaires This illustrated collection presents Greek myths through interconnected stories that highlight different viewpoints of gods and mortals.

Messenger by Robert Burleigh The story of Perseus and Medusa unfolds through multiple poetic forms that reveal different aspects of the myth.

🔮 A reverso poem can be read both forward and backward, creating two different perspectives on the same story - a format Marilyn Singer invented herself 🏺 The Greek myths featured in Echo Echo include well-known tales like Pandora's Box, King Midas, and Arachne's transformation into a spider ✍️ Marilyn Singer has written over 100 books for children and young adults, winning numerous awards including the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award 🎨 The book's illustrations by Josée Masse are designed to be viewed both right-side up and upside down, complementing the dual nature of the reverso poems 📚 The book's title references Echo, the mountain nymph from Greek mythology who was cursed to only repeat the words of others - fitting for poems that mirror themselves