This article was modified on Friday, Nov. 27, 2009.

Carrie Zuberbuhler Kennedy wants people to know that Greek mythology doesn't have to be "all Greek" to them.

In her new book, "Panorama: An Introduction to Classical Mythology," readers can find out how some of the stories have carried over to current society.

The 1986 graduate of Sewickley Academy and former academy eighth-grade English teacher last week was among five local authors signing books at Penguin Bookshop.

She said the idea for her new book, published in September, actually began at the academy more than eight years ago.

"When I taught the subject, I wasn't enthralled with the book I had," she said.

Students seemed to be bogged down with difficult material and names, and they weren't being told how mythology ties into astronomy, botany, vocabulary, chemistry and other areas.

"My approach to mythology allows students at the academy, and other students I've taught, to make important connections that enrich their understanding of the world," she said.

For example, when students learn Mercury was the speedy messenger god in Roman myths, they won't ever forget that Mercury is the planet that moves most quickly around the sun, she said.

Mercury also was a quick-witted, trickster god who was in charge of protecting travelers, so students can make connections to the chemical element mercury, the vocabulary word "mercurial," and the fact that a statue of Mercury stands atop New York's Grand Central Station. An image of the god is also the logo for FTD, which delivers flowers, and Good Year has used Mercury's winged sandal as part of their company's logo since 1901.

The word cereal comes from Ceres, the goddess of Harvest. Nike is the goddess of strength, speed and victory. Many constellations, cars and companies also are named after Greek gods and goddesses.

"My book was written to celebrate mythology as a fun, relevant, engaging subject, and I'm proud to say 'Panorama' allows for a lot of 'aha' moments for students and general readers," she said.

In her book, Kennedy tells the stories, and in the margins, she tells readers how the stories and names are used today. The stories also are made memorable by common symbols such as a feather to make readers and students remember Icarus, who disobeyed his father, flew too close to the sun and melted his wings.

When Kennedy left the academy to raise a family eight years ago, her successor continued using the chapters Kennedy wrote to help teach the subject.

During the last five years, she and her husband, Kevin who works for a creative marketing communications firm, began serious work on the book.

She and Kevin, of McCandless, started their own publishing company, Clew Publishing. The name was chosen from the Greek mythology story of Ariadne who helped Theseus by giving him a ball of yarn. He used the yarn to leave a trail by which he could find his way out of a labyrinth.

The ball of yarn was called a clew. The Kennedys used the name for their company to give readers a clue about Greek legends.

Kennedy said the book, designed by Kevin, has more than 100 color photographs and 100 etchings.

About 150 copies have been sold. Hampton Township School District is reviewing Panorama and its teaching materials, and Sewickley Academy and North Allegheny School District have it in their libraries. Area homeschoolers also are using the book, and Kennedy hopes more schools will order copies for the next school year.

"Through its stylish design, engaging prose and remarkable clarity, 'Panorama' makes an enormous contribution toward the heightening of our cultural literacy," Stephen Catanzarite, Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center managing director, said in review of the book at www.clewpublishing.com.

"With so much of our music, art, drama, and literature being informed and inspired by classical mythology, we can't help but profit from a deeper understanding of its treasure trove of tales. 'Panorama' is an indispensable tool for mining those rich depths."

Kennedy has spoken at numerous conventions around the country and offered mythology courses through Carnegie Mellon University's C-MITES program for regional gifted students.

She said her book not only can be used for students and teachers but enjoyed by the general reader as well.

"General interest readers won't feel bogged down reading it like a textbook. It has a wide appeal," she said.

For more information visit www.clewpublishing.com.

The book also is available at Penguin Bookshop.