Parents' Guide to

The Mythology Handbook: A Course in Ancient Greek Myths

By Kristen Breck, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Lavish handbook introduces Greek characters and myths.

Book Lady Hestia Evans , Dugald A. Steer , Clint Twist Learning 2009
The Mythology Handbook: A Course in Ancient Greek Myths Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 5+

Based on 2 parent reviews

AdultGamer
AdultGamer Adult
December 8, 2009
age 7+

No educational value in Greek myths?

I'm surprised that you didn't think this book had educational value. That would be the most important quality of this book, in my opinion. You can't pick up a book on Greek myths and be annoyed that it has...gasp...actual Greek myths! Sex and violence were a part of life in ancient Greece, so obviously they'd be part of their myths as well.

This title has:

Educational value
mickey2010
mickey2010 Adult
June 13, 2009
age 3+

i love mythology thxx alot

i love old historys very much plz let me see the book
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

THE MYTHOLOGY HANDBOOK is presented as a course study by Lady Hestia Evans for her two children, Hector and Hippolyte. Lady Hestia Evans is an intrepid 19th century explorer (the year is 1837), and when her research abroad keeps her from her children longer than expected, she creates this handbook and sends it to them to help the kids love Greek myths as she does. The Handbook is divided into three main sections, with 25 lessons in all. The three main sections are, "The Immortals," "Gods and Men," and "Time of Heroes." Information covered includes the Greek gods, the Titans, some of the mythical stories, mythical creatures, hero humans, historical facts about ancient Greece, art and architecture, as well as a timeline, a family tree of Gods, Monsters and Heroes, the Greek alphabet, and a map of ancient Greece. Stickers are also included. Follow-up activities are offered at the end of every lesson.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (1 ):

This handbook has a scrapbook quality to it, and is rich with sepia-toned, black and white, and color illustrations. There are letters from Lady Hestia Evans, Homeric hymns, and anecdotal sidebars sprinkled throughout the book. The information is an overview rather than an in-depth compendium of the mythical stories, and as such, some readers may be left wanting more. However, readers will get a viable introduction to the major gods and characters, as well as to the vibrant history and panoply of creatures, demi-gods, and human heroes.

The first few pages of the book are somewhat confusing as the reader is confronted with a Publisher's Note, a warning to all mythologists, illustrations randomly placed, and a hefty table of contents. Also, the type face of Lady Hestia Evans' letters is quite small, light, and difficult to read. Maps are also small and difficult to read. A glossary would have been a helpful touch, but there is much information and activity in this handbook to capture the attention of multi-aged readers -- as an introduction or a refresher to the Greek myths.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the Greek myths as stories but also as an ancient religion to people living thousands of years ago. What might it have been like to be alive back then, when gods were believed to interact with humans on a daily basis? Do you have a favorite god or goddess? Who and why? Can you think of some English words or phrases that came from the ancient Greek myths? Can you identify any mythical creatures that you have met in contemporary stories, like Harry Potter or the Percy Jackson series?

Book Details

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