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D'Aulaires' Greek Myths
D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths
Here are the gods, goddesses, and legendary figures of ancient Greece--mighty Zeus, with his fistful of thunderbolts; gray-eyed Athena, goddess of wisdom; Helios, the sun; greedy King Midas--lavishly depicted by Caldecott winners Ingri and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire. In a relaxed and humorous tone, these splendid artists bring to life the myths that have inspired great European literature and art through the ages, creating a book readers of all ages will cherish.
"For any child fortunate enough to have this generous book...the kings and heroes of ancient legend will remain forever matter-of-fact; the pictures interpret the text literally and are full of detail and witty observation."--The Horn Book
"The drawings, particularly the full-page ones in this oversized volume, are excellent and excitingly evocative."--The New York Times
"Parents, uncles, and aunts who have been searching for a big picture book that has good reading-aloud value for the younger ones and fine read-it-yourself value on up, have it in this volume...a children's classic."--Christian Science Monitor
"For any child fortunate enough to have this generous book...the kings and heroes of ancient legend will remain forever matter-of-fact; the pictures interpret the text literally and are full of detail and witty observation."--The Horn Book
"The drawings, particularly the full-page ones in this oversized volume, are excellent and excitingly evocative."--The New York Times
"Parents, uncles, and aunts who have been searching for a big picture book that has good reading-aloud value for the younger ones and fine read-it-yourself value on up, have it in this volume...a children's classic."--Christian Science Monitor
208 pages, Paperback
First published September 19, 1962
About the author
Ingri d'Aulaire
44 books142 followersIngri d'Aulaire (1904-1980) was an American children's artist and illustrator, who worked in collaboration with her husband and fellow artist, Edgar Parin d'Aulaire. Born Ingri Mortenson in Kongsburg, Norway, she studied art in Norway, Germany and France, and met Edgar Parin d'Aulaire when she was a student in Munich. They married in 1925, and immigrated to the USA shortly thereafter, settling in Brooklyn in 1929. After pursuing separate careers initially, the couple turned to illustrating children's books together, releasing their first collaborative effort, The Magic Rug, in 1931. They settled in Wilton, Connecticut in 1941, and lived there until their deaths in the 1980s. Awarded the 1940 Caldecott Medal for their picture-book biography of Abraham Lincoln, the d'Aulaires published other children's biographies, as well as some notable works on Greek and Norse mythology. (source: Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,220 reviews
December 16, 2007
This is the very first book I remember reading all by my little self when I was three and I have read it a million more times. My copy is old (stolen from my elder brother, in fact; it was his first), taped back together, missing it's covers, and extremely well-loved. It has inspired a lifelong fascination with mythology and the ancient world and probably played a large part in my obsessive need to learn everything about everything--not that that's possibly, but it's fun to try. The stories have been dialed back a bit for bitlets, but the stories still hold true to the original intentions, in my opinion. The illustrations might not be fine art prints, but they are lovely when you're small and don't diminish as one ages. Go, find a copy, and read this. Read about Persephone eating pomegranate seeds, Eos forgetting to ask for eternal youth for her love, Selene learning from her sisters mistake and keeping Edmynion held in eternal sleep, Hephestus and his robots, and Hermes' childhood antics. You won't regret it and you might want to continue to want to read more and more about Greek mythology.
September 19, 2018
I have recently been reading George O'Conner's books of mythology and he had pieces of stories I have never heard before. After reading this, I now know where he got this information from, or at least a place. This fills in many gaps of the myths I did not know.
These are mostly quick and simple tellings of the Greek myths. It's a great way to get an overview of mythology without having to read Homer or other tomes. I have read both the Odyssey and the Iliad. I love great myths and these seem to have a special quality to them. There is something special about them that wing the imagination away.
This goes through the history of the canon and ends at the Trojan war. Many of my favorite stories in the myths are here. I'm so glad I have finally read this classic. I see so many people talking about it. This is a work we should all read. It's too bad it wasn't required in school. Well, now I have read it. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this.
These are mostly quick and simple tellings of the Greek myths. It's a great way to get an overview of mythology without having to read Homer or other tomes. I have read both the Odyssey and the Iliad. I love great myths and these seem to have a special quality to them. There is something special about them that wing the imagination away.
This goes through the history of the canon and ends at the Trojan war. Many of my favorite stories in the myths are here. I'm so glad I have finally read this classic. I see so many people talking about it. This is a work we should all read. It's too bad it wasn't required in school. Well, now I have read it. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this.
March 12, 2021
Listen this is dated and needs updating, but wow what a starter book. I have never seen my kid so excited for bedtime because I said I'd read this. When we finished the book, my kid wanted to immediately start over, to learn about the Greek gods again.
I found it hard to read outloud. Very monotonous sentence lengths with few pauses. But seriously my kid was hooked. The pictures are just good enough to stare at.
Also um, this book doesn't have the Odyssey. That's like, the one Greek myth everyone knows about, right? Seemed like a really strange omission to me.
Anyway someone please convince Madeline Miller to go write a Greek myth book for kids.
Please let me know if you have any good Greek myth for kids suggestions!
I found it hard to read outloud. Very monotonous sentence lengths with few pauses. But seriously my kid was hooked. The pictures are just good enough to stare at.
Also um, this book doesn't have the Odyssey. That's like, the one Greek myth everyone knows about, right? Seemed like a really strange omission to me.
Anyway someone please convince Madeline Miller to go write a Greek myth book for kids.
Please let me know if you have any good Greek myth for kids suggestions!
November 2, 2019
I remember taking this book out of the library at my elementary school, Queensland Downs Elementary School, when I was in Mrs. Sanders' class for grade three. We were in the library for a library period, and I asked Mrs. Dalgliesh, our groovy librarian, for a book. I can't remember if I was the one who suggested Greek Mythology or if it was she, but I do remember her aiding me at the card catalogues, then she sent me off to the shelves to track down "292 DAU [JUV]."
That little journey changed me irrevocably.
I devoured D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths in what was then record time, and within days I was debating my father on theology. I demanded to know why I couldn't worship Zeus instead of his God; I wanted to know why, if the Greek Gods came first, they had a flood, Heracles was resurrected, and Phrixus was saved from being sacrificed by his father by the presence of a golden ram, amongst other things. I wanted to know how Christianity could have such similar myths.
It was the beginning of the end of my religiosity and the penultimate blow to my catholicism. It was the end of my acquiescence to unjust authority. It was the end of acceptance without questions. It catalysed my constant search for understanding. It was the beginning of my father's disdain for me, and his fear of my mind (the latter, I've always suspected, was close to the root of much of the abuse I suffered at his hands). It was the moment of my enlightenment. And I've loved this book deeply from the second I first closed its cover until today.
I finished reading it to our twins last night. To hear them talk today, they are in love with the book themselves, though I doubt it can be felt as deeply as my love for the book. We encourage them to think for themselves, to question, to seek, to demand that authority earns respect, so their experience with the book isn't as revelatory as mine. They have parents who've been answering their questions -- about gods, life, death, where babies come from, about anything -- since they were asking questions. They haven't needed to find that power for themselves, we've pointed the way to that power from the start. Still, they love this book, and I hope they share it with their kids (if they choose to have kids) in turn.
D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths is a marvellous book full of marvellous stories, and now the Greek playwrights and poets and philosophers await. Medea first? Hmmm ... maybe The Birds? Or should it be The Iliad? I think I will let the twins decide.
That little journey changed me irrevocably.
I devoured D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths in what was then record time, and within days I was debating my father on theology. I demanded to know why I couldn't worship Zeus instead of his God; I wanted to know why, if the Greek Gods came first, they had a flood, Heracles was resurrected, and Phrixus was saved from being sacrificed by his father by the presence of a golden ram, amongst other things. I wanted to know how Christianity could have such similar myths.
It was the beginning of the end of my religiosity and the penultimate blow to my catholicism. It was the end of my acquiescence to unjust authority. It was the end of acceptance without questions. It catalysed my constant search for understanding. It was the beginning of my father's disdain for me, and his fear of my mind (the latter, I've always suspected, was close to the root of much of the abuse I suffered at his hands). It was the moment of my enlightenment. And I've loved this book deeply from the second I first closed its cover until today.
I finished reading it to our twins last night. To hear them talk today, they are in love with the book themselves, though I doubt it can be felt as deeply as my love for the book. We encourage them to think for themselves, to question, to seek, to demand that authority earns respect, so their experience with the book isn't as revelatory as mine. They have parents who've been answering their questions -- about gods, life, death, where babies come from, about anything -- since they were asking questions. They haven't needed to find that power for themselves, we've pointed the way to that power from the start. Still, they love this book, and I hope they share it with their kids (if they choose to have kids) in turn.
D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths is a marvellous book full of marvellous stories, and now the Greek playwrights and poets and philosophers await. Medea first? Hmmm ... maybe The Birds? Or should it be The Iliad? I think I will let the twins decide.
May 2, 2022
My kindergartener says this is too scary to read at bedtime, but I've twice since caught him sneaking peeks at the fearsome dragons, frolicsome nymphs, and in particular the ken-towers—half-man half-horse, rendered aloud by strict sound it out rules. So like a handful of hydra teeth I'll just plant this on the family bookshelf and wait for mythological magic to take root in due time.
5 stars. Still magic after all these years.
5 stars. Still magic after all these years.
June 8, 2018
One of those books every home should have and every child should read growing up. I wish I had read it then, but no. However, I still have (somewhere!) my very worn copy of Edith Hamilton's Mythology which I read over and over. Instead I first enjoyed D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths with my own children.
Did they/we believe in the Greek and Roman gods? No more than Mother Goose, but they formed the imagination and are part of our Western understanding of who we are. We come from the Greeks.
Best of all this book is beautiful! The author-artists, Ingri and Edgar D'Aulaires, have created a sumptuous treat both for eye and imagination. It is a book which teaches and also satisfies the soul. No idea how many times this reading makes. Hopefully it will not be my last!
Did they/we believe in the Greek and Roman gods? No more than Mother Goose, but they formed the imagination and are part of our Western understanding of who we are. We come from the Greeks.
Best of all this book is beautiful! The author-artists, Ingri and Edgar D'Aulaires, have created a sumptuous treat both for eye and imagination. It is a book which teaches and also satisfies the soul. No idea how many times this reading makes. Hopefully it will not be my last!
December 27, 2014
I know this is like everyone's favorite childhood mythology book (including mine, I think), but I don't like it. It does that thing where rapes are glossed over as "marriages", which is horrible to read if you know what actually happens in the myths. I know that they can't actually talk about rape in a kids book because we can't ever bring up anything sex-related in a kids book, but it makes me really uncomfortable, you know?
Also, my brother and I were flipping through this book the other day, and we saw a drawing of the Andromeda: incredibly pale skin, blue eyes, blonde hair. Andromeda, who is an Ethiopian princess. I know that she gets white-washed in every painting ever, so the d'Aulaires' were probably just following in that tradition, but come ooooooon. She looks like she's from Scandinavia.
Besides that, though, there are lots of stories in here, so it is a good introduction to Greek mythology. The drawings aren't artistic masterpieces but most of them are quite nice.
Also, my brother and I were flipping through this book the other day, and we saw a drawing of the Andromeda: incredibly pale skin, blue eyes, blonde hair. Andromeda, who is an Ethiopian princess. I know that she gets white-washed in every painting ever, so the d'Aulaires' were probably just following in that tradition, but come ooooooon. She looks like she's from Scandinavia.
Besides that, though, there are lots of stories in here, so it is a good introduction to Greek mythology. The drawings aren't artistic masterpieces but most of them are quite nice.
August 21, 2012
This book introduced me to Greek mythology and I've yet to find its equal in the genre. I first read this in grade school, having found the hardcover version in my school library. I checked it out several times--though it's an oversize book and was therefore as a hardcover a bit heavy to drag home and back, I always felt it was worth it.
The artwork is incredibly detailed and beautiful, and the written portrayal of the various gods and goddesses, heroes and monsters is highly sympathetic toward and attentive to the strengths and failings of human beings, of both virtue and weakness (strengths and failings which the Greek deities were believed to share themselves, in no small measure).
From the drawing of the "family tree" of deities--the Titans led by Cronus proceeding to Zeus and his siblings, to their children--to the map of ancient Greece with notable mythical events and sites marked (where Zeus flung Hephaestus, where Aphrodite rose from the sea) to the drawings of constellations as various heroes and creatures were placed in the sky by the gods, there is a powerful and humbling sense throughout of what ancient Greek civilization has provided us. Even now as an adult when I read it, I am impressed by all the words and terms that Greek folklore has bequeathed to the English language and no doubt its sister tongues ("panic" from the satyr demigod Pan, "echo" from the nymph of the same name cursed to forever repeat the words of others, "narcissism" from the youth Narcissus who pined away from desiring his own reflection in the water, etc).
Highly recommended not only for children, but for anyone who loves well-drawn and well-narrated folklore.
The artwork is incredibly detailed and beautiful, and the written portrayal of the various gods and goddesses, heroes and monsters is highly sympathetic toward and attentive to the strengths and failings of human beings, of both virtue and weakness (strengths and failings which the Greek deities were believed to share themselves, in no small measure).
From the drawing of the "family tree" of deities--the Titans led by Cronus proceeding to Zeus and his siblings, to their children--to the map of ancient Greece with notable mythical events and sites marked (where Zeus flung Hephaestus, where Aphrodite rose from the sea) to the drawings of constellations as various heroes and creatures were placed in the sky by the gods, there is a powerful and humbling sense throughout of what ancient Greek civilization has provided us. Even now as an adult when I read it, I am impressed by all the words and terms that Greek folklore has bequeathed to the English language and no doubt its sister tongues ("panic" from the satyr demigod Pan, "echo" from the nymph of the same name cursed to forever repeat the words of others, "narcissism" from the youth Narcissus who pined away from desiring his own reflection in the water, etc).
Highly recommended not only for children, but for anyone who loves well-drawn and well-narrated folklore.
September 9, 2009
I adored this book when I was a child.
December 11, 2009
This book is amazing. The retellings of the myths are vibrant and fascinating and the illustrations are mild enough for a child to enjoy but compelling enough to interest an adult.
When I was a kid, I used to take this book out of the library over and over and I would read it when I was at a friend's house and they had a copy. Naturally I had to buy my son, Archer a copy of the book because I wanted him to love it like I did. Kids don't always love what their parents love, however, so I put it on his shelf and waited for him to discover it.
One day he asked me about a myth so I started reading him the book, then I had to go do something (laundry maybe, I forget what). I came back a while later to find him buried in D'Aulaire's Greek Myths and completely ignoring me. An hour later, same story. He re-reads it now as I re-read it when I was a kid. Also, sometimes I re-read it as an adult.
If I could give this book 6 stars, I would.
When I was a kid, I used to take this book out of the library over and over and I would read it when I was at a friend's house and they had a copy. Naturally I had to buy my son, Archer a copy of the book because I wanted him to love it like I did. Kids don't always love what their parents love, however, so I put it on his shelf and waited for him to discover it.
One day he asked me about a myth so I started reading him the book, then I had to go do something (laundry maybe, I forget what). I came back a while later to find him buried in D'Aulaire's Greek Myths and completely ignoring me. An hour later, same story. He re-reads it now as I re-read it when I was a kid. Also, sometimes I re-read it as an adult.
If I could give this book 6 stars, I would.
September 4, 2014
6/23/13:
I read this again and again as a child. My intimate knowledge of the stories helped enormously in my high school English classes. It breaks my heart a little that my son is, for some perverse reason of his own, fixed in the idea that he doesn't like Greek myths.
Update of 8/9/14:
Now reading this aloud to my son, slightly against his will, as it was clear he'd never read it on his own. He was engrossed by the first section, and the text when read aloud flowed better than I'd expected it to. Feeling encouraged.
9/3/14:
The gods are jerks, for the most part. The illustrations, though, I love them so much. I think they really made the book for me, when I read it as a child (all those pretty goddesses!). Unfortunately, another goodreads reviewer has pointed out the oddness of none of the horses pulling chariots having harnesses, which I would never have noticed, but henceforth this will bother me whenever I see the cover.
I read this again and again as a child. My intimate knowledge of the stories helped enormously in my high school English classes. It breaks my heart a little that my son is, for some perverse reason of his own, fixed in the idea that he doesn't like Greek myths.
Update of 8/9/14:
Now reading this aloud to my son, slightly against his will, as it was clear he'd never read it on his own. He was engrossed by the first section, and the text when read aloud flowed better than I'd expected it to. Feeling encouraged.
9/3/14:
The gods are jerks, for the most part. The illustrations, though, I love them so much. I think they really made the book for me, when I read it as a child (all those pretty goddesses!). Unfortunately, another goodreads reviewer has pointed out the oddness of none of the horses pulling chariots having harnesses, which I would never have noticed, but henceforth this will bother me whenever I see the cover.
September 25, 2020
Literally my childhood
October 10, 2014
Everyone, no matter what his or her age, should read this indispensable retelling of the Greek Myths, a foundation stone of the Western tradition.
I feel immensely fortunate that I was exposed to this title by my parents at a very young age.
It does, however, have two drawbacks, one I can forgive and one I almost cannot. First, the myths are a little bit bowdlerized. But since this is a book for children (albeit one which doesn't hesitate to stretch the vocabularies of younger ones), I can excuse that.
The bigger problem is that there is no pronunciation guide. Pronunciation of Greek names, since they in some cases came into English through the digestive tracts of Latin and Old French before landing in England in 1066, and in some cases are more modern borrowings, is wholly unpredictable by, well, any English speaker, let alone children. It is perhaps a shame that the popular culture doesn't make allusions to Hephaestus, Mnemosyne, Terpsichore, Dionysus, and Aeneas as an everyday matter, but the fact is it doesn't, and it's a shame to leave little kids at sea (like Perseus?).
Before I gift this to some young relatives of mine, I intend to prepare a pronunciation guide in LaTeX (or LyX) and tape it into the endpapers.
I feel immensely fortunate that I was exposed to this title by my parents at a very young age.
It does, however, have two drawbacks, one I can forgive and one I almost cannot. First, the myths are a little bit bowdlerized. But since this is a book for children (albeit one which doesn't hesitate to stretch the vocabularies of younger ones), I can excuse that.
The bigger problem is that there is no pronunciation guide. Pronunciation of Greek names, since they in some cases came into English through the digestive tracts of Latin and Old French before landing in England in 1066, and in some cases are more modern borrowings, is wholly unpredictable by, well, any English speaker, let alone children. It is perhaps a shame that the popular culture doesn't make allusions to Hephaestus, Mnemosyne, Terpsichore, Dionysus, and Aeneas as an everyday matter, but the fact is it doesn't, and it's a shame to leave little kids at sea (like Perseus?).
Before I gift this to some young relatives of mine, I intend to prepare a pronunciation guide in LaTeX (or LyX) and tape it into the endpapers.
September 14, 2017
Bana Yunan Mitleri'ni anlatan kitaplar verin ve kendi halime bırakın. O kadar seviyorum. Ayn�� şeyleri defalarca okuyabilecek kadar hemde.
Elimdeki bu baskı Yunan Mitleri'nin gençler için olan sadeleştirilmiş baskısı ve içinde birbirinden muhteşem çizimler var. Okumanın yanında o çizimleri incelerken geçen vaktin farkına varmıyorsunuz, hele de benim gibi her detayı inceliyorsanız.
Yunan mitolojisinde ölümlüler Tanrılara nasıl tapıyorsa Tanrılarda Toprak Ana'ya öyle saygı gösteriyorlardı çünkü Toprak Ana bütün hayatın kaynağıydı. Ve bu kitapta da Toprak Ana'nın ilk çocuklarından başlayarak, Tanrıların çocuklarını, Prometheus'un neden cezalandırıldığını, Pandoranın kutusunu, Hades ile Persephone'nin hikayesini ( ki kendisi her zaman en sevdiğim kısım olmuştur) ve daha nicelerini okuyoruz.
Ben altını satır satır çizerek, büyük keyif alarak okudum. Çok derinlemesine bir inceleme beklemeyin dediğim gibi sadeleştirilmiş bir baskı bu ama daha önce hiç okumadıysanız ve ilginizi çekiyorsa keyif alacağınızı düşünüyorum.
Elimdeki bu baskı Yunan Mitleri'nin gençler için olan sadeleştirilmiş baskısı ve içinde birbirinden muhteşem çizimler var. Okumanın yanında o çizimleri incelerken geçen vaktin farkına varmıyorsunuz, hele de benim gibi her detayı inceliyorsanız.
Yunan mitolojisinde ölümlüler Tanrılara nasıl tapıyorsa Tanrılarda Toprak Ana'ya öyle saygı gösteriyorlardı çünkü Toprak Ana bütün hayatın kaynağıydı. Ve bu kitapta da Toprak Ana'nın ilk çocuklarından başlayarak, Tanrıların çocuklarını, Prometheus'un neden cezalandırıldığını, Pandoranın kutusunu, Hades ile Persephone'nin hikayesini ( ki kendisi her zaman en sevdiğim kısım olmuştur) ve daha nicelerini okuyoruz.
Ben altını satır satır çizerek, büyük keyif alarak okudum. Çok derinlemesine bir inceleme beklemeyin dediğim gibi sadeleştirilmiş bir baskı bu ama daha önce hiç okumadıysanız ve ilginizi çekiyorsa keyif alacağınızı düşünüyorum.
''Her yıl, ne zaman Persephone Demeter'i bırakıp gitse, işte o zaman Demeter üzülür ve bu yüzden doğada hiçbir şey büyümez, yeryüzünde kış olur. Ne zaman ki Demeter kızının usul usul ayak seslerini duyar, işte o zaman bütün dünya çiçeklenir. Bahar gelmiştir artık. Anne ve kız birlikte olur olmaz, dünya ısınır ve ağaçlar meyve verir.''
February 17, 2010
I discovered this book in the 5th grade in my school's library. I would sit cross legged right on the floor by the bottom shelf where it was kept, spread out the huge, thick book on my lap and read while I looked at the wonderful drawings. When we moved I semi-forgot about the book, not remembering the author's name; when I was in college I was walking by a bookstore in a mall when I glanced at the display case to see a book with the same style of drawings. I immediately went in to discover the store did not have my beloved book on Greek myths, but they could order it for me. I jumped at the chance to finally own the book.
This is a wonderful way to introduce children to Greek mythology. The stories are engagingly told, and the drawings catch the eye and compliment the myths well. I do have to admit the book, while still big, was not as large as my 10 year old self remembered. :)
This is a wonderful way to introduce children to Greek mythology. The stories are engagingly told, and the drawings catch the eye and compliment the myths well. I do have to admit the book, while still big, was not as large as my 10 year old self remembered. :)
July 15, 2017
Not only is this a five star book. I have to add it to my list of best books ever. Every kid should read this one. These are stories full of all the things we love in tales---action, adventure, love, cruelty, war, friendship, fighting---all the things that make us human.
#bookaday
#bookaday
August 15, 2008
My childhood copy is tattered, practically coverless, and very well loved.
July 8, 2019
This classic introduction to Greek mythology for children, written and illustrated by the husband-wife team, is divided into three main sections. The first covers the beginnings of the world and the stories of the Olympian gods and goddesses; the second is devoted to the minor gods, nymphs, satyrs, and centaurs; and the third relates the tales of the human heroes of epic and play.
Although some of the gorier details of these myths have been glossed over, the authors have opted for generalization rather than outright omission. For example, in the story of the overthrow of Uranus, mention is made of the fateful sickle, and of Cronos's attack upon his father, but the exact nature of the attack is unspecified. I think that this approach works fairly well, in that it maintains the integrity of the myth, while making it more appropriate for the younger child at whom this book is aimed. (Time enough later for them to read of castration, and the birth of the terrible Furies...)
Rereading as an adult, I was struck by the absence of the story of Antigone, an odd choice given that the D'Aulaires do devote some space to Oedipus's warring sons. But leaving that omission aside, this anthology is fairly comprehensive, and will provide the young enthusiast with almost all the major mythological stories of the ancient Greek tradition. This book is well-written and beautifully illustrated, and although I never owned a copy as a child, I can recall poring over it at the library. Happily, I now have a copy of my own...
Although some of the gorier details of these myths have been glossed over, the authors have opted for generalization rather than outright omission. For example, in the story of the overthrow of Uranus, mention is made of the fateful sickle, and of Cronos's attack upon his father, but the exact nature of the attack is unspecified. I think that this approach works fairly well, in that it maintains the integrity of the myth, while making it more appropriate for the younger child at whom this book is aimed. (Time enough later for them to read of castration, and the birth of the terrible Furies...)
Rereading as an adult, I was struck by the absence of the story of Antigone, an odd choice given that the D'Aulaires do devote some space to Oedipus's warring sons. But leaving that omission aside, this anthology is fairly comprehensive, and will provide the young enthusiast with almost all the major mythological stories of the ancient Greek tradition. This book is well-written and beautifully illustrated, and although I never owned a copy as a child, I can recall poring over it at the library. Happily, I now have a copy of my own...
June 4, 2018
This book looks like a simple re-telling of ancient Greek mythology. And yes, it is that. But what makes this such a treasure is the way they put it together. There is a thread, much as the Fates spun theirs for humans. For example, when the chapter on Theseus concludes, the next chapter starts with the tale of Oedipus meeting Theseus. Thus, we learn the tale of Oedipus.
The drawings are simple, but tell the entire story. Instead of focusing on just an illustration of a character, there is a symbol or event happening throughout, so the reader can see Heracles and his various quests.
One can see how a child would want to read this over and over, but it's a great read for adults, too. Why? Because all the various gods and goddesses are shown in a two-page illustrated layout, with the Roman versions shown toward the end of the book. For anyone who ever became confused with Zeus and all of his cronies, this simplifies it all and ties it up with one nice Golden Thread.
Book Season = Year Round (golden threads galore)
The drawings are simple, but tell the entire story. Instead of focusing on just an illustration of a character, there is a symbol or event happening throughout, so the reader can see Heracles and his various quests.
One can see how a child would want to read this over and over, but it's a great read for adults, too. Why? Because all the various gods and goddesses are shown in a two-page illustrated layout, with the Roman versions shown toward the end of the book. For anyone who ever became confused with Zeus and all of his cronies, this simplifies it all and ties it up with one nice Golden Thread.
Book Season = Year Round (golden threads galore)
January 15, 2011
As a kid I read constantly (probably 4-5 books a week), and this was one of my favorite books to re-read. I don't know how many times I've read it, but every single story and illustration felt intimately familiar when I opened it now, 20 years later. This book instilled me with a great love of mythology and classical antiquity that I still have to this day. I bought my own copy this Christmas for sentimental and nostalgic reasons, and I'm so glad I did. Looking at it with adult eyes, I see now that the stories have been somewhat sanitized for children, but without changing the overall essence. Greek mythology can be a very complex subject, but this book does a fabulous job of making the myths accessible and enjoyable. I was enthralled by this book as a child and will treasure my copy now as an adult.
February 3, 2013
Hands down the best book of Greek Myths ever, this classic is a good introduction for kids and holds up as a principal reference work for adults. Beautifully illustrated with pictures that fascinated and haunted me from the first time I saw them, this book is also scrupulously researched and written in clear but evocative language that translates the power and importance of these stories. Thorough, almost every Greek god and major or minor myth is represented here, with the Trojan War and all that followed being the only part of the traditions to receive a somewhat perfunctory treatment- no doubt due to their unquestionably adult themes. But that doesn't make this volume any less worth owning, but rather underlines its ultimate purpose: to open a door into the bottomless universe of classical studies.
August 23, 2017
I remember first reading this in third grade after having read The Lightning Thief and becoming fascinated by Greek mythology. It was the best introduction I could ever have asked for and is still the one I trust to be both simple and accurate.
I'd like to imagine that Riordan himself read this while researching for Percy Jackson or, perhaps, even when he was a young child and that this sparked his fascination at such an early age. Now that goodreads has told me that he has added this book to his shelves, I think it even more likely!
Excellent for young readers and those looking to brush up on their Greek mythology! I highly recommend this book!
I'd like to imagine that Riordan himself read this while researching for Percy Jackson or, perhaps, even when he was a young child and that this sparked his fascination at such an early age. Now that goodreads has told me that he has added this book to his shelves, I think it even more likely!
Excellent for young readers and those looking to brush up on their Greek mythology! I highly recommend this book!
August 18, 2017
I found the slant of these tellings somewhat disturbing, i.e. how they were made "appropriate" for children. On the one hand, pretty brutal violence (plucking out livers, tearing someone apart, immolation) was a-okay, while all of Zeus' lady friends (read: women he sexed and those he raped) actually voluntarily married the jack off. This includes Leda. So, violence is fine for kiddies, but rape is really sex, which means it's too naughty to talk about. Editing Medea to not kill her babes was also an interesting choice, when dads are killing the kids left and right. Lessons for my daughter? Maybe not. Give me my Grimm's fairy tales. ... I'll change the pronouns.
March 14, 2017
This is the most gorgeously illustrated book of Greek mythology I have ever read! I was going to check it out from the library to read with my 10 year old twins, but when I looked through the pages on Amazon, I knew I had to own this book.
The collection of myths are grouped together in such a way that stories build on top of one another which makes it both easier to understand and often more exciting. They are incredibly readable with the stories flowing easily one into the other.
I’d highly recommend purchasing a copy of this book, especially if you are doing so for younger readers. I know I will come back again and again to read this book throughout the years.
August 20, 2015
My father got this from the library and read it to me when I was in elementary school. I checked it out over and over again to reread the stories and admire the artwork. This introduced me to the ancient world and started my love affair with history and archaeology. I occasionally wonder if I would be the person I am now if I hadn't discovered this book at such a young age. Do you have kids? Do them a favor and introduce them to these stories. You don't know how much it may change their lives.
April 30, 2018
Read aloud with the kids. Now I finally understand Greek mythology that I was supposed to learn in college.
November 26, 2021
I'm very new to mythology. Loved this beautiful and readable introduction.
January 1, 2013
The English ABCs of D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths (with two Ms and some subtractions) by Miloš & Brontë:
A -- Apollo: He is the god of music, so I kind of like his music. I know that I haven't heard it, but I can tell it is probably pretty good. And I like that even with that guy with the bones of that instrument that didn't work upside down, I love how he beat that guy.
B -- Bellerophon: Hey! Isn't that the ship in Forbidden Planet?
C -- Calydonian Boar: Brontë: It was very fierce, kind of like the fierce bear in Brave, like if you shoot three arrows at it it would still be alive. It was crazy. And a girl killed it, doesn't her name start with "M."
Miloš: Hey, she didn't kill it, she just slowed it down.
Brontë: Oh yeah. Well, I can't remember what her name is but she was pretty cool.
D -- Dionysus: He is a cool god; I like how he is the god of wine, and I like how he doesn't want to hurt the pirates who attack him, and how he not only makes wine, but grows vines of grapes to make wine.
E -- Echo: Pan was in love with her, but she was in love with a different boy, and she was cursed so that she could only repeat what others say. She was where the boy she loved was, and he sat beside the water and fell in love with himself and said, "I love you." And she said it back to him, and he turned into a flower.
F -- Fates: The ones who said they knew the future, the ones who knew when people were going to die.
G -- Gorgons: Their powers are sweet! It's cool how connected they are to statues, like life-sized garden gnomes out of people. It was awesome the way Perseus used Medusa's head to kill the monster that would kill his wife.
H -- Hephaestus: He is dirty, is dirty as in from ashes and stuff, soot. He is very, very nice. He has two robots to help him walk, which he made. He is lucky that his wife is Aphrodite, the goddess of love, and he has the three Cyclopes to help him build things in his workshop. He's a blacksith, and he made a golden necklace for Aphrodite.
I -- Io: I liked her punishment from Hera, being turned into a cow, but I don't think it is fair for just having been with Zeus. It's not like Hera punished Zeus. It's Zeus who came down to earth, not the other way around.
J -- Jason: He's the husband of Medea. I love how he gets all the fierce men to come on his boat. That was very smart when he did that, but it was unsmart when he got rid of Heracles.
K -- Kronos: He was smart in a way, by trying to make sure that he stays the main Titan. But what if one of the kids ate bad food and the kid had food poisoning, and then Kronos died from food poisoning? That would be bad.
L -- Leto: She's nice. I really like her kids -- Apollo and Artemis -- and the way she is about kids and people and stuff.
M -- Minotaur: He is a cool kind of creature. I like how he is all half-bull / half-man. It's interesting the way he was created. He's also, at times, pretty stupid. He isn't all that smart for a guy with a big head. I think it would be cool if there was a real version of that.
M -- Medea: I think she was pretty bad ass! I don't know why people gave her #@$% because she was just trying to help Jason. All the stuff she did was pretty cool, and really smart to make the daughters of that King cook him alive. Didn't the gods punish her? I don't think that is fair. What she did was awesome, I think, and at least she wasn't punished forever in the underworld like Tantalus.
N -- Nemesis: She sucks. I don't want to talk about her.
O -- Oedipus: I loved how when he was asked the riddle he got the answer the first moment he was asked like the was adding a one and one and creating a two. It was so obvious to him. Whereas other people didn't know what the first part of the answer was let alone the other two parts. It was neat that he plopped out his eyes when he found out he had killed his father because that was the punishment he'd said and he lived up to it.
P -- Prometheus: I liked how he saved other people and risked his own life just to warm up the humans by stealing fire from the hearth in the throne room. It was not such a good idea, but it was smart to keep people alive longer. I don't think he is one of those people who kills things just to stay alive, but someone who risks his life to save others. He was a cool guy.
R -- Rhea: She was smart to trick Kronus by hiding Zeus, and how she made Kronos eat a stone. That was very smart. I thought the painting of her made her look very pretty.
S -- Sisyphus: His punishment was bad. They had pretty bad punishments for crimes that weren't that bad. Yeah he betrayed Zeus, but Zeus is a pain and he overreacts a lot.
T -- Theseus: He killed the Minotaur.
U -- Uranus: The place your poop comes from.
Z -- Zeus: Miloš: One thing I like is that his weapons are big lightning bolt sticks. One thing I don't like is that he punishes people just for doing something wrong even if they're helping their friend or wife or husband.
Brontë: One thing I like is that he has more than fifty wives. One thing I don't like is what Miloš said. I think so too.
Miloš also wanted to mention how awesome it is that all the constellations come from the gods.
A -- Apollo: He is the god of music, so I kind of like his music. I know that I haven't heard it, but I can tell it is probably pretty good. And I like that even with that guy with the bones of that instrument that didn't work upside down, I love how he beat that guy.
B -- Bellerophon: Hey! Isn't that the ship in Forbidden Planet?
C -- Calydonian Boar: Brontë: It was very fierce, kind of like the fierce bear in Brave, like if you shoot three arrows at it it would still be alive. It was crazy. And a girl killed it, doesn't her name start with "M."
Miloš: Hey, she didn't kill it, she just slowed it down.
Brontë: Oh yeah. Well, I can't remember what her name is but she was pretty cool.
D -- Dionysus: He is a cool god; I like how he is the god of wine, and I like how he doesn't want to hurt the pirates who attack him, and how he not only makes wine, but grows vines of grapes to make wine.
E -- Echo: Pan was in love with her, but she was in love with a different boy, and she was cursed so that she could only repeat what others say. She was where the boy she loved was, and he sat beside the water and fell in love with himself and said, "I love you." And she said it back to him, and he turned into a flower.
F -- Fates: The ones who said they knew the future, the ones who knew when people were going to die.
G -- Gorgons: Their powers are sweet! It's cool how connected they are to statues, like life-sized garden gnomes out of people. It was awesome the way Perseus used Medusa's head to kill the monster that would kill his wife.
H -- Hephaestus: He is dirty, is dirty as in from ashes and stuff, soot. He is very, very nice. He has two robots to help him walk, which he made. He is lucky that his wife is Aphrodite, the goddess of love, and he has the three Cyclopes to help him build things in his workshop. He's a blacksith, and he made a golden necklace for Aphrodite.
I -- Io: I liked her punishment from Hera, being turned into a cow, but I don't think it is fair for just having been with Zeus. It's not like Hera punished Zeus. It's Zeus who came down to earth, not the other way around.
J -- Jason: He's the husband of Medea. I love how he gets all the fierce men to come on his boat. That was very smart when he did that, but it was unsmart when he got rid of Heracles.
K -- Kronos: He was smart in a way, by trying to make sure that he stays the main Titan. But what if one of the kids ate bad food and the kid had food poisoning, and then Kronos died from food poisoning? That would be bad.
L -- Leto: She's nice. I really like her kids -- Apollo and Artemis -- and the way she is about kids and people and stuff.
M -- Minotaur: He is a cool kind of creature. I like how he is all half-bull / half-man. It's interesting the way he was created. He's also, at times, pretty stupid. He isn't all that smart for a guy with a big head. I think it would be cool if there was a real version of that.
M -- Medea: I think she was pretty bad ass! I don't know why people gave her #@$% because she was just trying to help Jason. All the stuff she did was pretty cool, and really smart to make the daughters of that King cook him alive. Didn't the gods punish her? I don't think that is fair. What she did was awesome, I think, and at least she wasn't punished forever in the underworld like Tantalus.
N -- Nemesis: She sucks. I don't want to talk about her.
O -- Oedipus: I loved how when he was asked the riddle he got the answer the first moment he was asked like the was adding a one and one and creating a two. It was so obvious to him. Whereas other people didn't know what the first part of the answer was let alone the other two parts. It was neat that he plopped out his eyes when he found out he had killed his father because that was the punishment he'd said and he lived up to it.
P -- Prometheus: I liked how he saved other people and risked his own life just to warm up the humans by stealing fire from the hearth in the throne room. It was not such a good idea, but it was smart to keep people alive longer. I don't think he is one of those people who kills things just to stay alive, but someone who risks his life to save others. He was a cool guy.
R -- Rhea: She was smart to trick Kronus by hiding Zeus, and how she made Kronos eat a stone. That was very smart. I thought the painting of her made her look very pretty.
S -- Sisyphus: His punishment was bad. They had pretty bad punishments for crimes that weren't that bad. Yeah he betrayed Zeus, but Zeus is a pain and he overreacts a lot.
T -- Theseus: He killed the Minotaur.
U -- Uranus: The place your poop comes from.
Z -- Zeus: Miloš: One thing I like is that his weapons are big lightning bolt sticks. One thing I don't like is that he punishes people just for doing something wrong even if they're helping their friend or wife or husband.
Brontë: One thing I like is that he has more than fifty wives. One thing I don't like is what Miloš said. I think so too.
Miloš also wanted to mention how awesome it is that all the constellations come from the gods.
May 18, 2021
We really enjoyed this book.
March 11, 2016
This collection of Greek myths is just as good the second time around ten years later and in audio book format. I am currently reorganizing a friend's library and she gave me liberty to borrow whatever I please. I found this gem, considering she did not have any other audio books that I found and my ancient car only takes cassettes. I am an absolute fan of Greek myths for I read this book ten years ago in paperback format and it has stuck with me ever since.
I have only recently delved into the wide world of audio books and I have found that narration can either make or break a book. D'Aulaire's Book of Greek Myths featured the impeccable quartet of Sydney Poitier, Paul Newman, Kathleen Turner, and Matthew Broderick. I also enjoyed the spritely lyre music that preceded each chapter. It provided great segues and was a nice touch to the Greek heritage.
My favorite stories were Hades, Persephone, Sisyphus, Hephaestus, and the twelve labors of Heracles. The audio book ended a bit abruptly, but it was a wonderful listening experience I highly recommend. Whether you visit the wold of Greek mythology through auditory means or a visual guide, D'Aulaire's is the divine choice.
I have only recently delved into the wide world of audio books and I have found that narration can either make or break a book. D'Aulaire's Book of Greek Myths featured the impeccable quartet of Sydney Poitier, Paul Newman, Kathleen Turner, and Matthew Broderick. I also enjoyed the spritely lyre music that preceded each chapter. It provided great segues and was a nice touch to the Greek heritage.
My favorite stories were Hades, Persephone, Sisyphus, Hephaestus, and the twelve labors of Heracles. The audio book ended a bit abruptly, but it was a wonderful listening experience I highly recommend. Whether you visit the wold of Greek mythology through auditory means or a visual guide, D'Aulaire's is the divine choice.
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