MONOGRAPHs
In Echo Echo, author Marilyn Singer uses her gift for poetry to introduce young readers to Greek mythology. In telling the stories of Icarus, Persephone, and Pandora’s Box, Singer uses reverso poetry so that as students finish reading the poems one way, they can then read the same poem in reverse to discover the same story from a different perspective. Paired with Josée Masse's fantastical illustrations, this book is a perfect introduction to both Greek mythology and poetry. (Recommended ages, 6-9 years)
While usually explored beginning in the late elementary to middle school years, there is still a great deal that younger elementary students can learn from Greek mythology. Greek Myths by Jean Menzies was made possible by DK Publishing and is the perfect book for students from first through third grades, with beautiful illustrations and retellings of more than thirty of the most popular stories including Jason and the Argonauts, Theseus’ battle with the minotaur, and the story of Arachne. (Recommended ages, 7 years and up)
Aimed at introducing students in the middle elementary grades all about the most awesome figures in Greek and Roman mythology (as well as a few others), Myths and Legends by Mary Budzik is one of a few titles in the Basher series of nonfiction books for students. Funny, energetic, and written with just enough snark to appeal to most students, Myths and Legends does a particularly good job explaining the Roman counterparts to the Greek gods so that students can easily understand and remember the connections between the two. (Recommended ages, 8 years and up)
Exploring the fantasy of mythological creatures from the writings of ancient Greece, author/illustrator Lynn Curlee brings to life such stories as the majestic pegasus, the cruel Gorgon Medusa, and the three-headed menace of the Underworld, Cerberus. This is a fantastic book for any fan of Greek mythology, as it focuses less on the oft-studied gods and heroes and more on the creatures that have continued to inspire children's imaginations. (Recommended ages, 8-12 years)
Though it is an older book (published in 1989), readers can still find this tome of Greek myths as told by famed children's author Mary Pope Osbourne (The Magic Tree House series) on a number of websites such as Amazon and Scholastic. This book includes the retelling of twelve popular mythological stories, including the tales of King Midas, Cupid and Psyche, and that of the journey Orpheus makes to the Underworld to save his beloved Eurydice. (Recommended ages, 8-12 years)
For young readers who prefer chapter books to nonfiction or poetry, the Goddess Girls series is a collaboration by authors Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams that celebrates friendships, girl power, and discovering your own special gifts. Athena the Brain is the first book in the "Goddess Girls" series that was published in 2012, and has gone on to spawn a graphic novelization of the chapter books, and an easy reader series for even younger readers called "Little Goddess Girls." (Recommended ages, 8-12 years)
No book list would be complete without Rick Riordan's wildly successful "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" series. What began as a bedtime story by Riordan, a former English teacher, to his son has turned into a multimillion-dollar industry that has created multiple spinoff series, several movies, audiobooks, an upcoming Netflix series, graphic novelizations, and an imprint series by Disney/Hyperion which publishes books for children that celebrate cultures and mythologies from around the world. Book one in the Olympians series is The Lightning Thief, where young Percy Jackson discovers that he isn't a normal kid--he's a demigod. Now someone has stolen Zeus's lightning bolt, and he's the prime suspect. (Recommended ages, 8-12 years)
Author/illustrator George O’Connor has become one of the most popular creators of graphic novels over the last ten years, in no small part thanks to his “Olympians” series. The first book, Zeus: King of the Gods, sets the tone of drama, danger, and comic book-influenced storytelling to depict how greatly these legends have influenced 20th and 21st-century comics and superhero stories such as Marvel and DC. (Recommended ages, 10 years and up)
REFERENCE MATERIALS
Part of the “World Book Myths and Legends” series, Ancient Greek Myths and Legends is a comprehensive encyclopedia for students on the history, mythology, and lore of Greek Mythology. In addition to telling the stories behind the Greek gods and heroes, the author also explains how those stories have survived to modern times, how they have influenced our understanding of history, and how they are honored in subject areas including science, literature, and sociology. (Recommended ages, 7-9 years)
D'aulaire's Book of Greek Myths is the gold standard for introducing young readers (and adults as well!) to Greek mythology. Published in 1969 by husband and wife team Edgar and Ingri D'aulaire, this beautifully illustrated book continues to inspire children to read and learn about the ancient Greek deities. (Recommended ages, 7 years and up)
DK Books has multiple books available for young readers on Ancient Greece, but this version is particularly fun. Updated in 2014, this volume can be purchased in multiple formats, including a teacher volume that includes access to digital clipart and a wall poster for the classroom.
As part of the Captivating History series, this book introduces students to a variety of topics to better understand Ancient Greece. Chapters include an exploration of the Hellenistic Age, the origins of the Olympic games, and some of the most famous Greek stories like Achilles (and the heel that became his downfall), Helen of Troy, and the mighty Spartans. (Recommended ages, 9 years and up)
National Geographic Kids is famous for their colorful, captivating books on all things nonfiction, from history to science and everything in between. This beautifully illustrated reference book covers all things mythology, with lots of info about Greek mythology but also expanding into Roman, Egyptian, and other world myths as well. (Recommended ages, 8 years and up).
This exciting book came out in 2021 from author Liv Albert and illustrator Tara Richard, becoming an instant hit for readers who want a comprehensive encyclopedia on all things Greek mythology. Billed as a who's who handbook covering "all things Aphrodite to Zeus," this book is a must-have for older students learning about the classics. (Recommended ages, 11 years and up)
