Greek Myths

We have been reading a lot of Greek Myths over the past month inspired by the Percy Jackson series. Percy Jackson thinks he is a normal boy but discovers that his father is a Greek God. The Greek Gods have survived through the ages by moving to wherever the main source of Western power is based, presently America. They are very enjoyable with a lot of humour but as I have revisited the myths I am even more impressed by Rick Riordan's knowledge of the myths. So far my daughter and I have read all five books in the Percy Jackson series and seen the first film which isn't bad for a book adaptation by Hollywood. My partner and son are now on the 4th book.

In reading the myths we have tried out a range of sources. We started with "The Usborne Book of Greek Myths" which is a nice introduction. "The Children's book of Myths and Legends" is very short (each myth is retold over a double page spread) but includes Norse, Aboriginal, Finnish and Irish amongst others. "The Orchard book of Greek Gods and Goddesses" has been our favourite so far as it is very funny. Following on from that one we have dipped into "The Orchard Book of Greek Myths" and "The Orchard book of the Unicorn and other magical animals".

For more factual books we have read "Gods and Goddesses" by John Malam which I would recommend, "Ancient Greeks" suitable for readers who are growing in confidence and "The British Museum pocket dictionary Greek and Roman Gods and Goddesses" which was disappointing because it did not include as many of the minor gods as we wanted although fine as a quick reference guide. We have also read "The Greek News" which packs a lot of infromation into newspaper style columns and "You wouldn't want to be a slave in Ancient Greece" one of this enjoyable series which reads as though the reader has been captured by the Greeks to become a slave (reasonable Yuck factor!)

For activity books I found "Greek activity book" which is clearly laid out and includes the Greek alphabet, making Pandora's box, making Medusa's head shield and making a winner's olive wreath. "Ancient Greece fun book" is full of word searches, spot the difference, crosswords and number puzzles. "Spend the day in Ancient Greece" is American in origin. I haven't used this yet but a story is told of a special day for two Greek children and then activities grow out of that day.



Books

Ancient Greece (British Museum Fun Book) by Sandy Ransford. British Museum 1999
Ancient Greeks (Usborne Beginners) by Stephanie Turnball. Usborne 2004
The Children's Book of Myths and Legends retold by Ronnie Randall. Armadillo 2001
Gods and Goddesses (Ancient Greece) by John Malam. Wayland 1999
Greek Activity Book (Creative Fun) by Sue and Steve Weatherill, b small publishing, 2006
Greek and Roman Gods and Goddesses (British Museum Pocket Dictionary) by Richard Woff. British Museum 2003
The Greek News by Anton Powell and Philip Steele. Walker 2008
The Orchard Book of Greek Gods and Goddesses by Geraldine McCaughrean. Orchard 1997
The Orchard book of Greek Myths by Geraldine McCaughrean. Orchard 1992
The Orchard Book of the Unicorn and other magical animals by Margaret Mayo. Orchard 1996
Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. Puffin, 2005
Spend the day in Ancient Greece: projects and activiities that bring tha past to life by Linda Honan.Jossey Bass, 1998
Usborne Greek Myths for Young Children retold by Heather Amery. Usborne 1999
You wouldn't want to be a slva in Ancient Greece by Fiona Macdonald. Hodder Wayland, 2001