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A Gift from Zeus
.......by Jeanne Steig, William Steig (Illustrator)
Frolicking across Olympus, ablaze with jealousy, passion, and wit, the ancient gods of Greece and Rome have always been fodder for storytellers. And at last, the incomparable creative team of Jeanne and William Steig have stepped up to the task, retelling and illustrating 16 favorite myths with remarkable drollness and layer upon layer of nuance.
Although no one ever accused Zeus and his cronies of being demure, in these delightful versions their bawdy behavior knows no bounds. Jeanne Steig does not shy away from telling it like it is; still, her writing is masterful and coy--not to mention uproariously funny. In "Demeter," when Hades tells his brother Zeus he has fallen in love, Zeus is enthusiastic: "'A wonderful feeling,' he says. 'Who is she? A plump little mortal? A wiggly, giggly nymph?'
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Mythology
.......by Edith Hamilton
Edith Hamilton loved the ancient Western myths with a passion, and this classic compendium is her tribute. "The tales of Greek mythology do not throw any clear light upon what early mankind was like," Hamilton explains. "They do throw an abundance of light upon what early Greeks were like; a matter, it would seem, of more importance to us, who are their descendents intellectually, artistically, and politically.
Nothing we learn about them is alien to ourselves." Fans of Greek mythology will find all the great stories and characters here--Perseus, Hercules, and Odysseus--each discussed in generous detail by the voice of an impressively knowledgeable and engaging (with occasional lapses) narrator. This is also an excellent primer for middle- and high-school students who are studying ancient Greek and Roman culture and literature. |
D'Aulaire's Book of Greek Myths
.......by Edith Hamilton
No education is complete without a large slice of Greek mythology. And there's no better way of meeting that literary quota than with the D'Aulaires' book. All the great gods and goddesses of ancient Greece are depicted in this big, beautiful classic, lovingly illustrated and skillfully told. Young readers will be dazzled by mighty Zeus, lord of the universe; stirred by elegant Athena, goddess of wisdom; intimidated by powerful Hera, queen of Olympus; and chilled by moody Poseidon, ruler of the sea. These often impetuous immortals flounce and frolic, get indiscreet, and get even. From petty squabbles to heroic deeds, their actions cover the range of godly--and mortal--personalities.
The D'Aulaires' illustrations have a memorable quality: once pored over, they will never leave the minds of the viewer. Decades later, the name Gaea will still evoke the soft green picture of lovely Mother Earth, her body hills and valleys and her eyes blue lakes reflecting the stars of her husband, Uranus the sky. No child is too young to appreciate the myths that have built the foundation for much of the world's art and literature over the centuries. This introduction to mythology is a treasure. (Ages 10 to adult)
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The Gods and Goddesses
of Olympus
.......by Aliki
(Ages 4 - 8) Gr. 2-4, younger for reading aloud. This large-format book provides a quick, brightly illustrated introduction to the ancient Greek gods and goddesses. Beginning with Gaea, Uranus, and the Titans, Aliki chronicles the rise and fall of Cronus and the defeat of the Titans by the new gods (Zeus and company), whom she introduces individually. The latter section, which comprises two-thirds of the book, will prove useful in libraries as a clear, simple overview of the more familiar gods and goddesses.
The artwork varies in quality from the well-imagined scenes showing Gaea growing out of "a dark space named Chaos" to the awkward and slightly comical look of the scenes in which Cronus swallows his children and disgorges them. A Greek dramatist might have advised that those actions should take place offstage, to be reported by the players. While not a source for storytellers, this will prove useful in libraries with a demand for basic information on the gods and goddesses at the primary-grade level.
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Classical Kids : An Activity Guide to Life in Ancient Greece and Rome
.......by Laurie Carlson
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Travel back in time to see what life was like in ancient Greece and Rome while having fun with such hands-on activities as making a star gazer, chiseling a clay tablet, weaving Roman sandals, and making a Greek mosaic. 100+ line drawings.
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Spend the Day in Ancient Greece : Projects and Activities That Bring the Past to Life
.......by Linda Honan, Ellen Kosmer (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 9-12
This book whisks kids back in time over 2,000 years to spend a special day in Athens. Modern children follow a typical ancient Greek family through their day, and along the way they get to do all the things the Greeks did—from making clothes and jewelry to learning Greek letters to preparing a fabulous Greek feast. Packed with information, Spend the Day in Ancient Greece! offers children a unique, hands-on glimpse into a remarkable civilization.
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Greek Theatre
(Ancient Greece)
.......by Stewart Ross
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Introduction to the Greek Theatre in Ancient Greece.
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Ancient Greece! : 40 Hands-On Activities to Experience This Wondrous Age
.......by Avery Hart, Paul Mantell, Michael P. Kline (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hart and Mantell invite children to use their imaginations to travel back to the time of ancient Greece, offering along the way a wide variety of information and suggestions for bringing the time to life. The text is not arranged for report writing. Rather, it is organized in a way that will challenge children to use their hands and brains. For instance, after describing the geography of ancient Greece, children are asked to make a model using four rocks and modeling clay, and ponder this question: "Does the land also change and shape the people who live on it? Are whole civilizations shaped by the land on which they live?" The information--including bits about the history, art, religion, and more--is presented in an informal, breezy style, and set down in brief paragraphs scattered across the pages. Illustrations, including some contemporary cartoons, are plentiful. The least successful part of the book is the retellings of mythology, which are so truncated that their power is drastically reduced. However, the book should still give students a good overview, and it offers many good ideas for teachers. Susan Dove Lempke
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Growing Up in Ancient Greece
.......by Chris Chelepi, Christine Molan (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 9-12
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Ancient Greece : A Guide to the Golden Age of Greece (Sightseers)
.......by Julie Ferris, Julie Guerrero
Reading level: Ages 9-12
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