Persephone and the Pomegranate

Persephone and Pomegranate  is the beautifully told story of Persephone and how she came to be the Queen of the Underworld, along side her husband Hades. In this book, Hades is Pluto. Persephone has been the subject of many a book and song. The myth behind the stories is told here with loving artwork and the printed word.

First published in 1993 by Dial Books for Young Readers, Persephone and Pomegranate is illustrated with oil paint over acrylic paint and pastel dust. The borders were painted in watercolor and  gouache with pencil. The digital edition can be purchased by visiting http://www.KrisWaldherr.com.  You can also visit http://artandwordseditions.com/


Kris Waldherr began writing and publishing children's book twenty years ago. Since then, she has moved toward writing about queens, courtesans and goddesses. In the upcoming weeks, I will be doing a series of reviews on Kris's books.

On Kris's website, you can find out even more information about her. Her work has been praised by many a top name in the field. The New York Times Book Review praised her work on Persephone and  the Pomegranate with a full page review for its "quality of myth and magic." I completely agree. Jean Shinoda Bolen, M.D. author of Goddesses in Everywoman as a "beautifully done retelling of the major mother-daughter myth."

Kris has work published in the greeting card industry. She also maintains a gallery where patrons can purchase her work. She is the author of several books, many of which we will be reviewing over the coming weeks. One of her most recent projects are her apps on the iPad. They are as lovely as the books she writes and illustrates.

Now, back to the book.

Persephone and the Pomegranate is the classic mythological tale of a mother losing her daughter to marriage. This one is just a bit trickier than most. Persephone, looking at flowers in the field is abducted by Pluto/Hades and taken to the Underworld where she is made queen. Demeter, Goddess of the harvest was in despair over the sudden disappearance of her daughter, whom she loved above all else. She searched the earth, but could not find her. Not finding the answers she sought, Demeter let the seasons wrack the earth. Starvation and misery unfolded. Waiting for the dark of the moon, Demeter inquired of Hecate, the Dark Goddess and was lead on a path of discovery that brought her to her daughter. But the story does not end there.

In loving illustration, Kris brings this tale to life. I give this book 5 out of 5 for the gorgeous illustrations and storytelling. My thanks to Kris Waldherr for sending me the digital copy of this book to review. It will be in my library for many years to come.