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D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the stories are eternal, and most of the important ones are here. Kids have always loved these tales and this volume probably has the most entertaining presentation for kids. The book is a classic and one kids will love to hear read aloud.
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User Reviews
- Parents say
- Kids say
A classic!
Wow!
What's the story?
The Creation and Ages of the world, according to the adventurous ancient Greeks! Gods wield magic and power to meddle in human affairs. Monsters walk the Earth, and are overcome by heroes performing impossible tasks. This action-packed, attractive book is a fascinating introduction to one of the pillars of Western Civilization, and should be a part of every child's library.
Is it any good?
The d'Aulaires present this rambunctious bunch with admirable clarity. The stories are filled with delightful nuggets of information, and the illustrations repay study. One such is the frightening portrayal of the aging of minor goddess Eos' young prince. She asks Zeus to give him immortality, but forgets to mention eternal youth. The helpful little robots of Hephaestus, god of smiths and fire, appear almost incidentally, along with his robot dog, and readers learn indirectly that Hephaestus is also god of toys.
But it is the book's clarity above all that delights. Though the d'Aulaires pack a lot of story into small spaces, the text and pictures combine to ensure that they never lose their readers. A pronunciation guide, though, would have been helpful.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about the flaws of the larger-than-life figures in Greek myths. How are the immortals like humans? How are they different?
Book details
- Author: Ingri d'Aulaire
- Illustrator: Ingri d'Aulaire
- Genre: Historical Fiction
- Book type: Fiction
- Publication date: September 19, 1962
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 9 - 12
- Number of pages: 192
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