Kid Myths

[bluegargantua]

Hey,

For people who have kids...

If you were to get a book on Greek Mythology for a 4-5th grader, what would you recommend?

later
Tom

Comments

[kadath.livejournal.com]

This is considered the standard-bearer in Classical mythology for kids.

[solipsistnation.livejournal.com]

That's what I was going to recommend, too. So, 2 votes for D'Aulaire.

[trystero.livejournal.com]

Three.

[elusiveat.livejournal.com]

+=1

[eisa.livejournal.com]

Agreed. I grew up on that book and loved it. Their book of Norse mythology is also great.

[sben.livejournal.com]

I grew up with that, and loved it.

I haven't looked at it with a more educated eye, for fidelity to the original myths, but I don't know if that's possible, important, or even desirable in many cases.

[z-gryphon.livejournal.com]

I don't have kids, but I was a kid once, and Bulfinch's suited me fine.

[primal-pastry.livejournal.com]

Totally. I read Bulfinch and my kids (what can read) read it to themselves and the little one. It's also excellent for clubbing each other over the head.

[mikecap.livejournal.com]

Maybe it's just me... but when I was in 4th and 5th grade, I went to the school library and just picked out their standard texts on Greek myth. No pictures! And I kind of think not having pictures actually made it better for me, more imaginative. The stories were basic enough to read without needing any supplementary pictures...

[shogunhb.livejournal.com]

I grew up with Edith Hamilton's Mythology

D'Aulaire's

[anselm23.livejournal.com]

D'Aulaire's is THE classic book for kids up through about 5th grade.

Then they start hammering the poor kid with Edith Hamilton, which turns them off Greek mythology until they encounter the Iliad or the Odyssey in a good translation, and maybe we get them back then. But probably not.

Go with D'Aulaire's. It's got great illustrations, and all the fun stories are in it, and sexiness is hinted at without being too ribald.

[ejmam.livejournal.com]

I agree with the consensus, but depending on the kid, I might also leave some fiction books lying around. Maybe _Ogre Downstairs_ by Diana Wynne Jones and/or _The Lightning Thief_ by Rick Riordan. A good chance to feel all smart as you recognize the myths used in the books.

I got here via kpram; he's my brother.

[foxtown.livejournal.com]

Hypermyth!

jk

;-P