My kids have been fascinated by Greek mythology from an early age.
I’m not quite sure why; I’ll blame it on my husband. I 
know it wasn’t me. For some reason, I was able to graduate from high school and university without any real exposure to the classical gods and goddesses. I think we read part of The Odyssey in high school, but I’ve retained nothing. I know a little bit about Icarus, probably from one of the hundreds of songs that reference the story. But really, I am functionally illiterate when it comes to the Greek (and Roman) myths.
So now my children have decided to immerse themselves in all things Hellenic. It 
started with The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan, and the Tales from the Odyssey series by Mary Pope Osborne. Tonight they spent an hour pouring over D’Aulaires Book of Greek Myths. Their playtime is riddled with references to things that I don’t understand. They drop names like Poseidon and Daedalus, Dionysus and Aphrodite. The youngest one teases other in the morning by calling her “Medusa.”
Me, I’m lost. I get very few of these references. Maybe Jack Murnighan can help. Here is he is, reading his favorite line from The Aeneid.
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D’Aulaire’s Book of Greek Myths by Ingri D’Aulaire, Delacorte Books for Young Readers trade paperback
The Aeneid by Virgil, Bantam mass market
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Just wanted to say that my kids (who are 6 and almost 5) both love Greek mythology — I read them a book of one-minute Greek myths when they were younger and they have been hooked every since. We have D’Aulaires Book of Greek Myths and they love that. I am reading the Percy Jackson series but haven’t tried it out on the kids yet — they would probably enjoy it — my oldest would certainly catch many of the references
Marie, the Percy Jackson audios are great, so if your oldest isn’t quite ready to read them himself, the audio might be a good way to introduce the series.
I think it’s so cool that mythology is being introduced to kids through the use of contemporary literature. Now to find a similar series on ancient Egypt…
My son (now 11) loves the Percy Jackson books!
I took him to see Harry Potter this past week, and there was a preview of THE LIGHTNING THIEF movie. We didn’t know it was coming out, but as soon as he saw the opening (preview) scenes, his eyes lit up and he said “that’s a Percy Jackson movie!”
Hi,
Growing up, I loved Greek myths… Something that I carried into adulthood. I recently discovered the Percy Jackson series, and found that I couldn’t put them down. I’m not embarassed to admit that I read them for my own personal entertainment. I’m sure I”‘m not the only one
Other than the obvious classics (i.e Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey), can anyone suggest any adult fiction (as in, not young adult or kids fiction) books that involve Greek or Roman mythology? If not Greek or Roman, how about any other fiction books that involve the mythology of any other cultures?
I’d really appreciate any suggestions that anyone has. Thank you so much…
Neal
Neal, thanks. I’m reading THE LIGHTNING THIEF now, just so I can understand what the kids are talking about (minor gods? huh?) and I love it.
I was going to post the same question on twitter last night (adult fiction that is similar to the Percy Jackson books), but got distracted. I’ll ask today and report back.
Thanks!
My boys love the Percy Jackson books as well. We bought them also on Audio so we could listen to the in the car. I have to admit that i enjoyed listening to them too!