The "Brownstones Mythical Collection" is like if Tintin and Hilda had a little baby. "Arthur and the Golden Rope" is the first in this series of adorable pictures books about plucky young heroes dropped into various mythologies (in this case, Norse Mythology).

Joe Todd-Stanton uses colour so well--rich golds, cool blues and dusty reds--giving his whimsical, textured illustrations the soothing warmth and glow of a crackling campfire. I'm not surprised he has done work for Usborne, because he often depicts his characters moving through sprawling, diagram-like environments reminiscent of a children's reference book. The maps in these books are also first rate.

All in all, "The Brownstones Mythical Collection" is a fun way to give your kids a primer in mythology right before bedtime.