Top Ten Greek Legends

Top Ten

by Terry Deary, Michael Tickner (Illustrator)

Want to know what Hercules was doing before he got his own TV show? This whimsical guide explains the figures and themes of ten major Greek myths. Readers also get a glimpse of everyday life in Ancient Greece.

Genres: Nonfiction, Mythology, History, Childrens, Greek Mythology, Humor, Short Stories

192 pages, Paperback

Published March 20, 1998

About the author

A former actor, theatre-director and drama teacher, Deary says he began writing when he was 29. Most famously, he is one of the authors of the Horrible Histories series of books popular among children for their disgusting details, gory information and humorous pictures and among adults for getting children interested in history. Books in the series have been widely translated into other languages and imitated.

A cartoon series has been made of the series of books and was shown on CiTV for a period in 2002.

The first series of a live-action comedy sketch show of the same name was shown on CBBC in 2009 and a second series is due.

Terry is also known widely throughout children and adult reading groups alike for his True Stories series (see below for series list).

He received an Honorary Doctorate of Education from the University of Sunderland in 2000. His numerous accolades also include the Blue Peter "Best Nonfiction Author of the Century" Award in the U.K.

-Wikipedia

Reviews

[Christopher Litsinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly fun for both Quinn and me. Greek myths accurately told with fun illustrations and lots to keep a kid interested. This would be a great gift for someone 8-10; even if they don't love reading, they would probably have fun with this.

[Motherbooker · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's always a struggle selling certain topics to children. Like history? How do you sell history to young children when they can't necessarily comprehend a world so vastly different from their own? The Horrible Histories series of books proves that intelligent writing, humour and fun formats are a great way to make these topics consumable for young readers. Terry Deary brings that same approach to Top 10 Greek Legends. It is a fun and silly book that accurately represents Greek mythology. It works so well because, let's be honest, Greek myths are pretty silly.

The book brings together 10 of the most popular and important stories of Greek Gods and heroes. It presents them in a very readable way that younger children will enjoy. Each story is followed by a fun list of facts about Greek mythology. For example, the top 10 Greek Gods, 10 greatest heroes, 10 worst villains and so on. The individual legends are told in different formats which prevent the reader from being faced with pages of text. They are all illustrated and displayed in fun ways. You get comic books, a play, the labours of Hercules are presented like school reports, and the Odyssey plays out as a poem.

The great thing about this book is that all of the facts are presented in such appealing ways. As it's meant for children, it obviously glosses over some of the more unsavoury or adult aspects of the mythology. It's also simplified and edited to the bare bones but you hear everything you need to know. This is a great introduction to Greek mythology that will be loved by any young reader. Especially because there are so many ways for children to get involved. There are quizzes that will allow them to get involved and take something away from it all.

As an adult reader, I know that there are better and more comprehensive resources to learn about Greek mythology. However, this book does what it was meant to really well. It makes them fun and interesting for younger readers. This is another one of those series where children will learn something without even realising that they're learning. The humour stands up and Terry Deary really understands a kid's taste levels. It's not too crass but it definitely isn't dry. It's always a worry that you'll reread a book from your childhood and realise that it's really cringey now. Rereading Top Ten Greek Legends was great. It holds up and I'd recommend it to anyone.

[Pani Tau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grécke báje žijú v našom podvedomí už tisícky rokov a je dosť pravdepodobné, že si ich uchováme ešte ďalších pár tisíc rokov. Majú všetko, čo má dobrý príbeh mať - napätie, dobrodružstvo, prekvapenie, hrôzu a predovšetkým, veľkých hrdinov!

Gréckych bájí je množstvo, táto kniha však predstavuje 10 najlepších, prerozprávaných modernou formou a ku každému príbehu sú pripojené aj zaujímavé fakty.

Táto kniha je podľa mňa skvelý prostriedok, ako priblížiť deťom grécku mytológiu hravou a vtipnou formou. Ľahko jej takto porozumejú a dozvedia sa niečo málo aj o živote Grékov. Kniha je však určite vhodná aj pre dospelých, ktorých zaručene pobaví.

Veľmi sa mi páčilo to originálne prevedenie. Napríklad báj o Teseovi a Minotaurovi formou vtipného novinového článku, Perseove dobrodružstvá spísané ako jeho denníček a Heraklove úlohy ako Štandardný test dosiahnutých vedomostí a podobné zábavné nápady.

Príbehy sú doplnené o super ilustrácie. Kniha je celkovo graficky perfektne spracovaná a má nám čo ponúknuť nie len po obsahovej, ale aj po vizuálnej stránke.

[Liana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is HILARIOUS!! If you want an easy understanding of Greek Mythology and have fun with it, this is your book. It's filled with stories, quick facts, and plain fun all around. Since this book is written for children, it doesn't get into any 'explicit' detail, if you catch my meaning. (But an adult, I think, would understand what REALLY happened between Zeus and his women, and that there was a lot more to their 'hooking up' lol.) It's a clean book, and despite cutting many of the explicit details of Greek myths, still manages to get the point across and still be accurate. :)

[penta]

Nadrabiam zaległości z dzieciństwa (moja biblioteka miała tylko dwie z tej serii). Prędzej dałabym dziecku do czytania to niż Riordana + niektóre żarty nadal bawią mnie dorosłą tak samo, jak bawiłyby jako dziecko.

[Xanthi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite my Greek heritage I was never really much of a fan of Greek mythology. I swear they must have been tripping on mushrooms when some of these were thought up. But I enjoyed this book. I especially liked that the author pointed out the tropes and the way women were portrayed in the mythology.

[Sophia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. It was okay. I've read better Greek Mythology books.

[Esmay · Rating 3 out of 5]

The info wasn't even correct

[Andrew1020 · Rating 4 out of 5]

cách viết hài hước về sự tàn ác của các vị thần

[VividSphinx]

a childhood classic

[Marcie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Horrible Histories author Terry Deary's writing style is fun and laugh out loud, and it hooks teen readers, generating interest in the serious mythological texts.

[♥Xeni♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are just a great, hilarious way to learn history (or myths, in this case). I don't know how many there are in the series, but the Rotten Romans and these Legends were my two favorites.

Thanks to this book I know my Greek legends pretty darn well (well enough to recall them on a whim for inconsequential discussions on who had a worse lot: Oedipus or Heracles or one of the other 8 top myths!

One thing I definitely learned: the Oracle at Delphi was seriously the most messed up place to go visit EVER. Do not let your children visit! They'll come back trying to kill you, themselves, their siblings, or their favorite pet fox. (Yeah, the Spartans kept pet foxes, to help train the boys to fight.)

[Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An amusing abridgement of the big Greek myths, and a rather interesting assortment of facts on ancient Greece and the gods and goddesses that their culture created.

The droll commentary on the plights of the deities was also much appreciated, though I think it could lead to some confusion for my English Language Learners; some idioms were a little too difficult to access, even for me. But, overall, I think this will be a great collection to help spice up my curriculum this week.

Good find, would read again.

Buy this title from Powell's Books.

[Noah Chanthongthip · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like greek legends and this book was funny and informational. If you want to learn about greek gods this is the perfect book. It was good and I plan on reading it again. It never gets old because you learn a little more every time you read it.

[Nikhil Pansare · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hilarious book. Deary mocks nearly all of Greek mythology.

[Costanza Kuke · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very funny way for a first contact with greek legends. No matter your age, you'll get involved.

[Flávia Spencer]

Can't wait :)

[Shreya I · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meant for kids/preteens/teens. But was a great walk down memory lane

[Rashmeet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute, fun way to interact with Greek Mythology. Love the illustrations and the narrator has a sarcastic tone that I LOVE!

:)

- R

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though primarily aimed at young readers, this was a fun and interesting read for an adult looking to build on a knowledge of Greek mythology and the gods and goddesses within it

[Indah Threez Lestari · Rating 3 out of 5]

823 - 2016

[Anya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun read, short and informative