For those of us with Pagan young people in your life - two fine books aimed at young teens: Loki, an Illustrated Guide to the Trickster God and Odin, an Illustrated Guide to the Allfather both by L. Dean Lee and illustrated by The Saxon Storyteller (aka Matt Greenway) and published by Weiser / Red Wheel in North America and Quarto in the UK. There’s also one for Thor, but I was not sent that one for review.
They are retelling myths and stories but also talking about present-day understandings of these two gods, with some basics on communicating with them and offerings they like. The section on “Bridging the cultural gap” which opens each book is repeated in both, briefly discussing folklore and mythology, the Norse ideas of the gods and their cosmos. Each book has the same structure as well – the “Bridging” chapter, “Who is Loki/Odin”, “Loki/Odin in Mythology and Folklore”, “Loki/Odin in the World” and “Venerating Loki/Odin”. Although they are written in clean and straightforward language, not dense and scholarly, Lee has a very good grasp on the source material and the history of the gods and provides a solid bibliography for further reading.
He deals well with the different characters, interests and powers of these two gods, illuminating their influence in the mythology and their roles in culture and religion. These are substantial short books, interesting for an adult to read as well. Aimed at children but thoughtful, well-written and not trivial, worthy works.
I was particularly charmed by how Lee talks about popular culture ideas of the gods, in comics, fantasy fiction and film, modern developments like the Marvel universe and the idea of Odin as Santa Claus. He deals well with the evolving and developing religion of Heathenry, not trying to stuff all these ideas back into medieval times, acknowledging and rejecting the racist origins of North American Heathenry and the Volkish notions.
The chapter on veneration is a thorough introduction to developing a working relationship with the god, understanding who he is, what he likes, building an altar, how to make an offering. Lee talks about rune magic and divination in the Odin book and other methods of divination with Loki, and both books repeat the discussion of discernment and the steps in making offerings.
Charming full-colour illustrations throughout which add a great deal to the feel of the books, printed on good quality paper, hardbound for wear and tear. These are very good books for Heathen parents - these are keepers!
~ review by Samuel Wagar
Author: L. Dean Lee / illus. Saxon Storyteller
Red Wheel/Weiser, 2025
128 pg Hardbound £16 / $30 Can / $21 US
