Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Eisenhart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Wacky, age-OK, podcast-adapted tales of Greek gods, heroes.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
HEROES AND OLYMPIANS takes a deep, zany dive into the tales of ancient Greek heroes like Jason, Odysseus, and Achilles, and gods like Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Ares, Aphrodite, and Athena, whose troubled relationships lead to a lot of havoc. Like the Trojan War for example. Learn how Jason overcame many perils and hassles to score the Golden Fleece. Discover how ill-advised bragging caused Odysseus a much longer trip home than he'd hoped. Get acquainted with Dionysus, always the life of the party—but also known for the occasional kind deed. Enjoy the tale of how Athens got its name, and how a practical gift is probably better than a lot of flash. And lots more, with plenty of interesting facts on the side (like how the Achilles tendon got its name).
Is It Any Good?
The new companion book for National Geographic's popular podcast is an info-packed, lavishly illustrated, and hilariously engaging intro to the antics of the Greek gods and heroes for young readers. Heroes and Olympians gives a nod to the more lurid doings of some of the characters, and Zeus's adulterous ways are just part of the story, but the father-daughter author team of Kenny Curtis and Jillian Hughes are all about the lively storytelling, the snarky commentary, and the valuable lessons learned—like teamwork is good, and even warriors need their moms. J. Espila's wild, colorful illustrations bring the mythical beings to life like you've never seen them before.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Greek mythology, whose characters are featured in Heroes and Olympians. Why do you think those tales have remained so popular over the centuries? Do you have any favorite characters?
Some cultures portray their gods as kind-hearted, helpful, and nurturing. Others—like the Greeks—described them for the most part as jerks at best, vicious killers at worst, and definitely best avoided. Why do you think people in different times and places might see their gods differently, and how would it change how they lived their lives?
Do you have any favorite podcasts? Maybe Greeking Out? What do you like about them?
Which heroes and/or gods should character strengths like courage and teamwork? Do these same characters have notable weaknesses or make bad choices, too? Does that cancel out their good deeds? Why or why not?
Book Details
- Authors :
- Illustrator : J. Espila
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Superheroes , Adventures
- Character Strengths : Courage , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : National Geographic Kids
- Publication date : September 17, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 192
- Available on : Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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