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I had the hard cover of this book as a child and started reading it when I was 6 or so. When i went to college I took a mythology class (not to mention several Greek drama classes) and got perfect scores on every exam--without cracking a book--simply because the contents of this childhood favorite never left me.I am buying this soft cover for my 6-year-old RIGHT NOW. These gods and goddesses lit up my imagination and they never left me. The language is perfect for children without being babyish or condescending, the drawings are impeccable (I'll never forget how handsome Zeus was)., and the organization of the information is very sensible.Due to this book's influence I read the Odyssey at age 10 and Ovid by high school. Great price and invaluable contents. A must-have for every child's library.
I had this book as a kid and bought a copy for my son last Christmas. There's no excuse for such bad binding. The pages have already started to fall out. This is a book we read together and don't abuse. We still love the pictures and stories. So I hope the publisher's listening - PLEASE fix your binding.
It's a very thorough overview of Greek Mythology, especially for being a children's book. At age six, I had to have it read to me, but it quickly became one of my favorite books. My sister gave me this book when I was about six, and I recently bought a copy for her daughter's sixth birthday (also a new copy for myself, since mine is falling apart; I had a lot of fun rereading it). They touch on most myths; I used to get very excited when I came across a myth I hadn't read in this book. I've been fascinated with Greek and other Mythology ever since. The illustrations in this book are wonderful and very appropriate to the tone and stories. The stories are nicely cleaned up for children, but not so much that it detracts from them. D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths is a wonderful book, and I highly recommend it to anyone who would like to introduce their child to the fascinating stories of ancient Greece.
I first came across this book in our traveling bookmobile in East Meadow, NY, many many years ago. The whole idea behind myth and legend is that the same myth can be worded differently depending on the storyteller. I kept returning it and re-taking it out so many times that I think I was pretty much the only reader.I love the pictures, very much geared to a young child's attention. Simplistic, yes, but still very vibrant, and now as an adult (and definitly able to afford one now), I find the pictures almost garish, though familiar.The issue that many readers complain about is that the myths are either 'off' a bit or worded in a way that is confusing. And this book (if I'm not mistaken) was originally written in French and translated. Perhaps, as in everyday life, things get lost in the translation.I still love this book, and prefer it over other Greek myth 'bibles' simply because it reminds me of my childhood, and as a book written for children, it doesn't have to cater to those of us (me included) with a collection of college and post-college books.
This book is fabulous for all parents of pre-schoolers and elementary school age kids. The pictures stir their imaginations and generate interest in the stories. My son is three and has already spent hours pondering Pandora. Imagine my delight when, after I read him the story of Icarus, he asked over and over: "But why, mommy, why did Icarus fall." Moreover, his cousins who are five and seven have read the entire book and loved it. There are many lovely images and the stories are told in a simple, accessible style. This is a fabulous children's introduction to the Greek myths and enjoyable for parents too.
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