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The Mythology Handbook: A Course in Ancient Greek Myths

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Gods! Heroes! Monsters! Explore the amazing myths of ancient Greece with this fun, interactive workbook — an essential companion to Mythology.

Which god never leaves Olympus without his winged sandals? How do you stop a hydra from growing more heads? Who was Nike before she inspired running shoes? Can you fi nd your way out of the Underworld? Sure to fascinate both avid mythologists and new fans alike, this lavish, highly informative handbook is brimming with facts and special features, including:
. flaps
. maps
. stickers
. eight hero and monster cards
. fact files on beasts and heroes
. many heroic and monstrous activities

80 pages, Hardcover

Published March 10, 2009

5 people are currently reading
250 people want to read

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5 stars
122 (46%)
4 stars
96 (36%)
3 stars
39 (14%)
2 stars
5 (1%)
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2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
Profile Image for Barbara Nutting.
3,205 reviews164 followers
March 9, 2020
Have had this little book for many years and have used it for reference numerous times. Just like “Jeopardy James” I find it easier and faster to learn from a good children’s book than to wallow through Google. This is excellent, not kiddish! It is a great companion to D’Aulares’ Book of Greek myths.

This was my “crib book” while reading Agatha Christie’s The Labors of Hercules!
Profile Image for Cynthia Austin.
Author 12 books298 followers
November 6, 2018
A fun collection of Greek Myths. A bit confusing, and many of the stories are repeated, but overall my seven year old enjoyed it. His favorite story was of Midas. He continues to retell the story about the man with donkey ears who dug a hole to tell his secret into it, then the hole whispered it to the grass, then the grass whispered it to the trees, then the trees whispered it to the birds, then the birds sang it to all the people, then everyone knew he had donkey ears. A great lesson about spreading secrets.

Profile Image for Emily Parsons.
45 reviews1 follower
April 14, 2016
I absolutely loved this book! I picked it up initially because I love learning about ancient Greece and fell in love with it because it had many eye catching illustrations and fun facts scattered throughout the book. One aspect I thought that was really neat was that it had cool activities at the end of each section to assess whether you read the passage closely or not. I thought that that was a cool way to assess student knowledge. The reading was on a fairly easy level. The names were probably the hardest part. I would recommend this book for 4th grade and up. I think that this is a good non-fiction book to get kids interested in non-fiction.
30 reviews
April 18, 2016
This book is great because it shows a lot of detail in the past and a lot of constellations. This book is about that Zeus is a good guy and the gorgon is a bad guy and the good guys fight the tiatans so they can have peace. I would reccomend this to a scientest because it shows a lot of stars and talk about that how they became a constellation.
Profile Image for Amanda.
28 reviews
January 10, 2012
I got this book from Santa Claus today, and about to read it!
10 reviews3 followers
March 9, 2014
I liked it. Very descriptive but some parts of it over a little bit too boring ass yeah us it was sometimes boring
Profile Image for Aguspratama.
33 reviews1 follower
October 20, 2020
A superb handbook which will tell you introduction about Greek mythology in a brief explanation. I really love how the writer catch my curiosity, especially if i am a children. this books really spark my joy. the sticker and the letter really makes me feel special. Thank you


Mitologi Yunani? Buku ini akan menjelaskan padamu dengan seingkat-singkatnya tanpa basa basi yang tak perlu. Penjelasan yang ringkas serta padat akan cukup membawamu untuk lebih mencari tahu bagaimana mitologi yunani bercerita. Anak-anak akan sangat menyukai buku ini, ditambah lagi mendapatkan bonus stiker dan surar berisi alfabet Yunani Kuno
Profile Image for Stasia Bruhn.
402 reviews9 followers
March 1, 2024
Very cute , informative book on Greek mythology from their major Gods and Goddesses , Lesser gods/Goddesses, various Greek myths of creation, tales about the underworld (Hades) , Enemies of the gods, Greek architecture, Mythical creatures, Mythical people, Greek art, constellations, Greek Legends, and even the Greek alphabet. It’s chockful of interesting info that I have never seen in another book of this type. It even has a cute origin story -It’s a book written by a Lady named Hestia for her two children w/ little activities for them (your own child/children) to do. Perfect book for those who want to do a home school course on Greek mythology or for adults like me who love mythology.
Profile Image for Lady Iris.
37 reviews1 follower
March 1, 2025
Teens of the 2000s might recognize this book from book fairs and barns and noble isles everywhere but inside this book is a fantastic way to get kids and adults studying greek mythology. It's an easy-to-read introduction to Hellenic mythology, and you follow an archeologist discovering the wonder of the ancient greek world. There are interactive games and popout figures like maps and divination methods that get people talking about the ancient greek world. The author did a fantastic job putting relevant and historical facts all throughout the book and its a great starting point for those studying the greek myths.
Profile Image for Rowan Faller.
23 reviews1 follower
February 22, 2024
This is probably going to be my most detailed review

Once a long long time ago I was presented with this book, me not knowing what mythology was (gods that was a long time ago) I adored this book and read it almost every day. Then one day a couple years ago my friend introduced me to a little series called Percy Jackson and The Olympians.
and my, how things came to be from there. ;-)









Profile Image for Mila.
120 reviews2 followers
December 23, 2019
Some of the sections were too short, but overall I'd say it was a pretty enjoyable read.
Profile Image for منال.
85 reviews28 followers
October 5, 2020
This was originally written from a mother to her children, it is done in love. And what is done in love is well done. A delightful treat for readers, candy for the eye and to the touch.
Profile Image for Juliette.
55 reviews
January 31, 2021
Short but very informative and interesting. I really enjoyed it.
15 reviews
Read
November 22, 2015
Evans, L.H., Steer, D., and Twist, C. (2009). The mythology handbook: a course in ancient Greek myths. London, England: Candlewick Press.

Citation by: Kelly Bowles

Type of Reference: Handbook

Call Number: 292 Eva

Content/Scope: Information in the form of “lessons” with exercises based on each topic, such as "life on Olympus" or "Religion in Ancient Greece." Activities accompany each lesson in a variety of forms.

Accuracy/Authority/Bias: Recommended as part of the Core Collection by H.W. Wilson's Children's Core Collection. Candlewick Press is a well known publishing company, and the handbook is much more about inciting students to think critically and come up with ideas on their own, than on telling the actual myths.

Arrangement/Presentation: Uses the voice of a fictional 19th-century scholar to present information in the form of "lessons." Each lesson has exercises based on the topic, with activities that range from encouraging students to do further research to designing a new pentathlon, or writing hymns with the Muses' help. Illustrations of creatures and maps of the ancient world will add to the knowledge of even the most experienced myth fans.

Relation to other works: This handbook is a great addition to school libraries where myths, fables, and legends are taught from second through fifth grades in the core curriculum. Students cannot get enough classical myth books and this title present the information in a unique way which is sure to please audiences, both students and teachers.

Accessibility/Diversity: The illustrations are of creatures and maps of the ancient world, depicted in characteristically traditional classical greek fashion.

Cost: $12.99

Professional Review: Abbott, A. (2009). The Mythology Handbook: A course in ancient Greek myths. School Library Journal, 55(8), p. 127-128.
Profile Image for Ky.
172 reviews36 followers
May 13, 2023
I read this back when I was a kid, and for all the good memories it gave me, I have to give it a 5 star rating. Get this book if you have any children in your life and they will love you for it. It's fun to go through even now, it's not long, but the stories in it are fun and great for a forming mind and the artwork is gorgeous and seared into my mind over a decade after reading it first. If you are looking for an introduction that is more geared towards adults and teens I recommend 100 Characters from Classical Mythology Although I think this book is still worth getting as an adult for the gorgeous and charming looks and artwork within!
Profile Image for Catherine Woodman.
5,962 reviews118 followers
Read
July 29, 2011
Ok, this is like the executive summary of the Greek myths, with a little bit of Greek history thrown in for context. i am not a big mythology gal, so this book aimed at grammar school kids was really just about perfect for me, and I especially liked the family tree in the back which really summed it all up for me, and made the relationship between the Olympic gods and the Titans more concrete as well. This might be part of a series (I got this off the New Book shelf at the library and did not see others, but it seems like something that could be a series), i would look at more, and if my kids were younger I would look into it more diligently
3 reviews1 follower
March 4, 2013
This is a great book for a general overview of Greek myths. I would recommend this to children who have begun to learn about myths and for people who just want to remember what happened. For people who love this book i would recommend you to read the Percy Jackson series if you enjoy fantasy. I wouldn't how ever recommend this book to people who are looking for specific information and only recommend it who are new to myths or want a general overview. The book is filled with little activities for children which they should enjoy as much as the book.
3 reviews
Read
January 16, 2017
It a nice azz book. I will let a mythologist read this because it all about greek mythology. Like the great olympians of greek Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Demeter, Artemis, Athena, Apollo, Hermes, Dionysus Herhaestus, Ares, Aphrodite, and i think more at least i know they were at least 12. There wad 4 god who had throne and they were Zues, Poseidon, Artemis, and Aphrodite. The underworld god was Hades and his pet Cerberus. SORRY! i said to much you guys sould read it and try it yourself. It good book!
10 reviews
January 14, 2015
This book is nonfiction though it is based on Greek mythology. This book explains many of the beliefs about gods and goddesses as well as monsters of the ancient Greeks. It explains the bloodline of the gods and how they came to be. It also has stories about ancient heroes such as Hercules Perseus and many more.
I recommend this book too people who want to learn about something different.
Profile Image for Shawn Bird.
Author 38 books90 followers
July 23, 2013
This is a richly illustrated, highly entertaining intermediate to middle grade look at Greek mythology. There's a story within a story. Packed full of information with clear visuals. My copy included stickers and an envelope with Greek envelope cipher for sending secret messages.
15 reviews1 follower
October 28, 2015
This book was fun to read and a good reasource for a project or just for knowledge of Greek Mythology. I like Greek Mythology and like to learn more about it. this book had lots of information about Greek heroes and gods, so if you like Mythology then read this book.
Profile Image for Melissa Hamm.
213 reviews3 followers
January 8, 2019
I found this randomly at a discount store today and I have always been interested in Greek Myths/Mythology so it was need to buy. I learned so much from this book and loved the book its lessons maps + activities. Highly recommended to anyone who loves this topic. <3
Profile Image for Lori.
37 reviews1 follower
May 11, 2009
Good info for homeschooling thru the myths......
Profile Image for Matthew.
10 reviews
August 30, 2009
It's a really good book. Lots of fun activities to do but slightly lacking on information.
Profile Image for Emilia.
1 review
March 24, 2011
It was a very good handbook. I liked that you felt like her 2 sons, which she was wiritng to from Greece.
Profile Image for Patricia.
395 reviews17 followers
June 11, 2012
A great book for kids to learn the basics of Greek mythology & early history- also good for a quick reference tool, in case you don't remember who all those Greek gods were!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews

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