My son is like many young readers. He goes through reading obsessions. The first was sharks, which lasted a full year. Shark physiology is permanently imprinted on my brain. Did you know sharks don't have bones? How many sets of teeth do sharks have? What can you tell me about the cookie-cutter shark?
Since then we've read about snakes, airplanes (but not trains or other machines), stones and minerals (for me the worst of the lot), Star Wars, otters and other mammals. Now at 7 he's into the Greek myths.
Of all the Greek myth books, his favorite is the -ology one: Mythology. Why? It has a nice ratio of text to illustration and, most importantly, the pictures are realistic (as far as illustrations of Greek gods can be considered to be realistic). He wants his Greek gods and goddesses served up in grand faux-Baroque style. He can sit and read this one for hours.
He does like the classic D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths, but the illustrations don't thrill him and there simply are not enough of them for a seven year old.
He loves Marcia Williams's informal story-telling style in Greek Myths, but doesn't appreciate the gods appearing as cartoons. For some reason this offends his sensibilities, though I think they're pretty cute.
This kid has fallen for audio books as seriously as he has for Greek gods and goddesses. He loves to listen and wander (especially outside) whenever he has the chance. It frees him from the couch and from being right next to me to listen to a story. On audio, he especially loves Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series and can't wait for The Battle of the Labyrinth along with the rest of the world.
Another great Greek myth audio selection is Mary Pope Osborne's Tales from the Odyssey which he listened to over the course of a weekend and multiple times since.
So on this non-fiction Monday (myths are filed in Non Fiction, after all), I come to you with the following question: Which book of Greek myths is your favorite for young readers and why?
I'd also make this comment to the publishing industry: Just because D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths is again in print doesn't mean we don't need more. Kids can't get enough of the Greek myths, especially if the illustrations can fit the tales. Might I suggest Paul O. Zelinsky? Who would you choose to illustrate the Greek myths? (Okay, I realize this is a second question.)
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By: Kelly Herold,
on 5/5/2008
Blog: Crossover (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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JacketFlap tags: Rick Riordan, Percy Jackson, a reading story, greek myths, audio books, Add a tag
15 Comments on Wanted for Non Fiction Monday: More (!) Greek Myths, last added: 5/10/2008
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Kevin Hawkes, in full Weslandia mode.
Or Kadir Nelson. Even though all the Olympians would have disproportionately large heads, they'd still be gorgeous.
Disproportionately large heads, given the current climate, might be hard to avoid :)
Thanks, Sarah!
I just read Runemarks, which I'm going to pass on to my son and see how he likes. I thought there was a lot of background myth-history, which I didn't always follow, but the author always pulled me back into the present before I got frustrated. And then Loki is a major character, in that present, which I think will be a real pull for my son. Maybe. :)
Oh, how stupid. You said Greek gods, and Runemarks is Norse.
Well, to quote someone from Saturday Night Live...never mind. :)
Great suggestions on the audiobooks. We're driving to CO this summer, and Percy Jackson may make the trip with us!
Hmmm. No good suggestions. We have the -ology books also.
Becky: No problem! I'll keep the Norse books on the back burner. I'm sure he'll move on in a few months.
PJ: The Percy Jackson audio books are good. I'd also recommend Pooh, which went over well in audio with both my kids. (They're so advanced a reading level, I think, that they work well as a read aloud.)
My 7-year-old son is also into the Greek (and Roman) myths; I've written about our reading here and there at bookstogether. His favorite collections are by McCaughrean (Greek Myths, Greek Gods and Goddesses, Roman Myths), with illustrations by Emma Chichester Clark. I also liked Anne Rockwell's collection.
Illustrators? Hmmm. I do like Demi's work in her stand-alone picture book retelling of Midas.
n.b. I didn't care for Kimmel's Greek Myths at all!
Kelly,
Leonard Everett Fisher wrote and illustrated a series of picture book myths--including THESEUS AND THE MINOTAUR and CYCLOPS. I used his book THE OLYMPIANS: GREAT GODS AND GODDESSES OF ANCIENT GREECE in my second grade classroom. I believe Robert Burleigh has retold a number of myths in picture book format. The one I have by Burleigh is PANDORA, which was beautifully illustrated by Raul Colon.
For reading aloud to children, I highly recommend CLASSIC MYTHS TO READ ALOUD, by William F. Russell, Ed.D. It's an excellent resource. It has two sections of myths--Listening Level I (Ages 5 and up) and Listening Level II (Ages 8 and up). Each myth come with a summary, approximate reading time, and a vocabulary and pronunciation guide. It also includes a table of Greek and Roman Gods with their corresponding powers and responsibilties.
Kelly,
How about a book with poems told from the perspective of Hera, Aphrodite, Persephone, and Hades--among others? You might like Kate Hovey's ANCIENT VOICES, which was published by McElderry in 2004.
I'm with Becky... Norse mythology is awesome.
Do you know how Thor dies? I won't spoil it for you, but it's a wild one.
I'm late because I had to check my titles at school and wouldn'tcha know it, Elaine took my favorite -- The Olympians by Leonard Everett Fisher. Great book, huh, Elaine?!?
I also love The Macmillan Book of Greek Gods and Goddesses by Low/Stewart. Very readable, good illustrations.
Wow! Great ideas and suggestions everyone. I'm printing these comments out :)
Kelly,
Leonard Everett Fisher has also written and illustrated picture books about the gods and goddesses of Ancient Egypt and China.
Yes, Mary Lee, I think THE OLYMPIANS is a great book and a good introduction to the subject for younger children. The book gives both the Greek and Roman names of the deities--so I used it when we studied the solar system to show my students how some of the planets were named after Roman gods and goddesses.
We've read a couple of picture books (retold) by Jean Marzollo. Here were two we liked: Little Bear, You're a Star and Let's Go Pegasus.
I also like Monsters and Water Beasts. It's not Greek mythology, but it is a non-fiction title about many of our "modern day" myths.
I agree, Zelinsky, and Demi too, would be wonderful.
Lots of our favorites are already here. But one that I didn't see -- "Atticus the Storyteller's 100 Greek Myths" by Lucy Coats, illustrated by Anthony Lewis. Oh, Marianna Mayer and the Crafts (Charlotte and Kinuko) have some lovely picture book retellings of individual tales -- King Midas, Pegasus, Cupid & Psyche, I think.
And two, but not very illustrated -- maybe for when he's older --"Adventures of the Greek Heroes" by Mollie McLean and Anne Wiseman, illustrated by Witold Mars, and "Greek Myths" by Olivia Coolidge.
There's a D'Aulaire Norse mythology book, recently reprinted by NYRB, which is lovely.