The Greek myths and the gods and goddesses who populate them have endured for so long because they’re exciting. Introducing kids to these stories and legends has never been easier, with the wealth of excellent works available, as well as several books about Greek mythology that play off the original stories to invent new, fun takes.
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Books About Greek Mythology for Preschoolers and New Readers
1. Little Library of Greek Myths: Zeus, by Sonia Elisabetta Corvaglia, illustrated by Anna Láng
Part of a series that also covers other myths and mythical figures, this book is for the youngest readers of Greek mythology. As such, Zeus is presented in his most age-appropriate light, making for a fun introduction for youngsters.
Buy it: Little Library of Greek Myths: Zeus at Amazon
2. Ancient Myths Collection, 16-Book Boxed Set, by Geraldine McCaughrean, illustrated by Tony Ross
Sixteen well-known Greek myths have been adapted as short stories for young kids (appropriate to read aloud to preschoolers or as beginning readers for slightly older kids). Parent reviewers rave that their children dove into this set more than once.
Buy it: Ancient Myths Collection Box Set at Amazon
Books About Greek Mythology for Early Readers to Tweens
3. Greek Myths: Meet the Heroes, Gods, and Monsters of Ancient Greece, by DK and Jean Menzies
Jason and the Argonauts, Pandora’s Box, and even lesser known subjects of myth like Atalanta all appear in this collection of more than 30 Greek myths, each retold in modern language while missing none of the original’s humor or suspense. The book also includes detailed illustrations, like profiles of the various gods and a map to Odysseus’s long journey home from the Trojan War.
Buy it: Greek Myths: Meet the Heroes, Gods, and Monsters of Ancient Greece at Amazon
4. D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths, by Ingri D’Aulaire and Edgar Parin D’Aulaire
Famous writers like Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson) and R.J. Palacio (Wonder) have ranked this book as among their top childhood influences. Whether your reader aspires to write or simply wants to be enveloped by stories of the Greek gods, this book is considered one of the gold standards for Greek myths and legends.
Buy it: D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths at Amazon
5. National Geographic Treasury of Greek Mythology, by Donna Jo Napoli, illustrated by Christina Balit
Esteemed children’s author Donna Jo Napoli and prizewinning illustrator Christina Balit unite to share the stories of the Greek gods in this book from National Geographic. The publisher includes many helpful and interesting infographics and sidebars to bring this work to life.
Buy it: Treasury of Greek Mythology at Amazon
6. Greek Mythology’s Twelve Labors of Hercules, a Choose Your Path Book, by Brandon Terrell
In this book, Hercules isn’t a long-ago hero, he’s you, and you are him. Readers are introduced to Hercules’ twelve labors in a format that invites them to determine their fate. Make the right choices and you’ll wind up achieving immortality.
Buy it: Greek Mythology’s Twelve Labors of Hercules at Amazon
7. Weird but True! Know-It-All: Greek Mythology, by Sarah Wassner Flynn
This volume is a great introduction to Greek mythology for reluctant readers. Author Sarah Wassner Flynn has assembled a variety of lists, stat sheets, and profiles in a funny but factual way, making this book a great entry point to the gods and their influence.
Buy it: Weird but True! Know-It-All: Greek Mythology at Amazon
Books About Greek Mythology for Tweens and Up
8. Oh My Gods! by Stephanie Cooke and Insha Fitzpatrick, illustrated by Juliana Moon
If you thought the cool crowd in middle school was intimidating, try going to school with the Greek gods! That’s the premise of this clever and hilarious graphic novel about Karen, a New Jersey transplant to Greece figuring out her new life at Mt. Olympus Junior High.
Buy it: Oh My Gods! at Amazon
9. The Olympians Boxed Set, Books 1-6, by George O’Connor
Covering Zeus, Athena, Hera, Hades, Poseidon, and Aphrodite, O’Connor’s graphic novels each delve into the life of one of the Olympian gods. What’s appealing about his works is the dynamic artwork and the way O’Connor diverts from dense prose to weave gripping, action-packed narratives. The stories are accurate but accessibly adventurous. This boxed set includes a bonus poster of the Olympian family tree.
Buy it: Olympians Boxed Set, Books 1-6 at Amazon
10. The Olympians Boxed Set, Books 7-12, by George O’Connor
Including the stories of Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Hermes, Hephaistos, and Dionysos, this set covers the rest of the Olympians. Building on the first six books, O’Connor’s graphic novels continue to excite and amaze. The comics pull no punches in terms of content so be aware that the subjects covered in the original myths appear here.
Buy it: Olympians Boxed Set, Books 7-12 at Amazon
11. Oh My Gods! Myth-lopedia: A Look-It-Up Guide to the Gods of Mythology, by Megan E. Bryant
This book and its companion, Oh My Goddesses!, are great if you want to introduce kids to the Greek gods, or want a supplemental guide as your tween reads the myths themselves. Funny bits are woven in throughout, and the gods get a sports card treatment, with each one profiled according to things like love interests, friends, foes, pets, and so on.
Buy it: Oh My Gods! Myth-lopedia at Amazon
12. Percy Jackson’s Greek Gods, by Rick Riordan, illustrated by John Rocco
While there are some excellent and venerable volumes devoted to mythology (D’Aulaires’ and Edith Hamilton’s, to name two), this collection is told from the perspective of Percy Jackson, of the best-selling kids’ series by the same name.
Buy it: Percy Jackson’s Greek Gods at Amazon
Greek Mythology Books for Older Kids (12 and Up)
13. The Odyssey, by Gareth Hinds
Gareth Hinds has become well-known for adapting classics as graphic novels. His rendition of Homer’s epic poem is a great entry point for teens, and can be read as a companion piece to the original.
Buy it: The Odyssey at Amazon
14. Classical Mythology A to Z: An Encyclopedia of Gods & Goddesses, Heroes and Heroines, Nymphs, Spirits, Monsters and Places, by Annette Giesecke and Jim Tierney
There are many compendiums and guides to mythology but—at 376 pages—this is one of the most comprehensive. This volume also covers Roman mythology and includes details on 700 characters and places, many of them cross-referenced to build a deep understanding of the stories.
Buy it: Classical Mythology A to Z at Amazon
15. Black Ships Before Troy: The Story of The Iliad, by Rosemary Sutcliff
Homer’s epic poem The Iliad is bar none the best proof out there that the classics can be very exciting. Retold by Rosemary Sutcliff, the saga has all the thrilling drama of the poem and is often used in classrooms. The saga continues in Sutcliff’s retelling of The Odyssey, The Wanderings of Odysseus.
Buy it: Black Ships Before Troy: The Story of The Iliad at Amazon
16. Lore, by Alexandra Bracken
Author Alexandra Bracken brings nine Greek gods to the modern day—as mortals—in this thrilling young adult novel. Title character Lore, having long ago escaped her brutal world, mostly avoids participation in Agon, a ritual through which gods briefly made mortal hunt one another, in an effort to gain new godly powers. But this go-round, her help is sought and the result is an exciting mythology-woven tale set against the backdrop of New York City.
Buy it: Lore at Amazon
