Classic Starts®: Greek Myths

by Diane Namm, Rebecca K. Reynolds (Narrator)

Following Sterling's spectacularly successful launch of its children's classic novels (240,000 books in print to date),comes a dazzling new  Classic Starts. The stories are unabridged and have been rewritten for younger audiences. Classic Starts treats the world's beloved tales (and children) with the respect they deserve.

From Icarus's legendary flight to Orpheus's trip to the underworld, this stunning edition brings to life 15 classic Greek myths. Easy to read and beautifully illustrated, it includes Heracles' mighty tasks, Pandora's box, King Midas's golden touch, and more!

Genres: Mythology, Classics, Fantasy, Childrens, Greek Mythology, School, Short Stories

Audio CD

First published June 7, 2011

Reviews

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because I was taking a mythology class and felt exceedingly ignorant of mythology compared to my classmates. My education of the gods was limited to a little introduction in middle school (which I pretty much forgot everything I learned), the Percy Jackson series (which acutally helped a little), and Disney's Hercules movie (which is not accurate). I'd never even heard of Campbell 'til a few months ago. This seemed like a good starter book and it is. There are definitely a lot of holes but it works to familiarize you with the greek gods.

I think this book is pretty accurate but some of the stories have different versions. Such as gods having different reasons for doing something or sometimes there are a different amount of children or what have you. Though I didn't use it in any of my papers, I at least knew somewhat of what was going on when we were discussing greek myths. However, this book by no means covers all the markers, not even close as I figured out all too soon. It's a book for kids to get knowledge of classic greek myths and I think it works just as that.

The tales themselves are interesting, and I had fun comparing it to the little I knew on the subject. I believe there were maybe a dozen or so myths all together. It didn't have all these interpretation of what each thing symbolized like so many books out there do. The book is really short and just tells the myths mostly, which is why I could actually finish it.

[Jerawan Meesangnilverakul · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this!

This book was short stories involving Greek Gods, but instead, it was more focused on the adventures of Greek Heroes and well-known stories.

I was so hooked and excited when I found Greek Myths in the library today, and I just kept reading it in the blink of an eye.

2 hours, feeling like I had been reading for 30 minutes, but you know that you read the good book when you really enjoyed it.

I love Greek Mythology. I know what this obsession comes from, I just love it!

And this is the good one for children who are interested in Greek Myths, it is designed for children, actually.

Now, this Greek Myths will take you to the adventures of heroes, legends and other people who involve in the Greek Myths.

And if you love Greek gods or anything that is about Greek mythology and you wonder if it's gonna be an easy read for beginners.

This is the one you are looking for!

[Geral · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just like Greek mythology too much!!

[Marthe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeg vil lære mer!! Greske guder er alt for interessant, trenger nok en massiv tjukk bok hahahha. Med familietre inkludert fordi jeg er så forvirret i henhold til hvordan alle henger sammen

[Maribel Ruiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Myth: Namm, Diane (2011) Classic Starts Greek Myths
Target Audience: Ages 7-13
Setting: It is based on the events that take place in the Universe.

Characters/plot/summary: There are 15 chapters of different Greek Myths that
are easy to read. This book is great for children to get exposed to what are Greek myths and what the characters in the myths represent. The characters in this book are Demeter, Persephone, Heracles, Pandora, Echo, Narcissus, Orpheus, Eurydice, Pygmalion, Galatea, Jason, Perseus, Theseus, Daedalus, Icarus, Phaeton, Apollo, King Midas, Atalanta, Pegasus, and Bellerophon. For example, you have Demeter and Persephone. The story can be related to why we have the seasons and they change throughout the year. As a reader you can find a relation to that by reading this myth. You can also read what is the importance that the pomegranate seeds have when Persephone eats them. You can also read another myth that informs the reader who was Echo and Narcissus. How they were both punished and what their names signify. Another myth that can be captivating is about Orpheus and Eurydice and how important Eurydice was for Orpheus. The reader can also read about the importance the music he played had on others that heard it.

Illustrations: The illustrations are not in color. However, there are only a few pictures that relate to some of the myths. The pictures show elements from nature. The myths are represented through these sketches.

Personal critique/strengths/weaknesses: This book is a great book to read to your students or your children if you would like them to understand the stories of some of the Greek Gods and who they are related to. Each story teaches you a lesson on the choices that each character makes. They see what the result is to decisions they make or are made for them for choosing a particular path in the myth. The book is easy to read and comprehend for young readers. The only thing that I would change would be to place more pictures related to each myth.

[zack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even if I often felt like the stories were very short and simple which often left me wanting more details and longer stories that didn't seem as rushed as the ones in this book, this book was admittedly made to be that simple version of some of the greek myths. And for that use, this book was really good. It definitely fueled my interest in Greek mythology and also provided a lot of basic information for the different myths.

[Orrick Clayment · Rating 5 out of 5]

Providing a light and interesting approach to the classical stories, this version of Greek mythologies will interest children and adults alike. Every chapter is assigned to different Gods/Goddesses and at the end of every chapter, a correlation to everyday beliefs (like the origin of winter and echoes) and moral values (like always being cautious and prepared) are given to ensure a lesson is given to readers. Very fun book overall.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful introduction to some off the classic Greek myths for younger children. I read this book to my 5 year old son he was able to understand most of the stories. I also enjoyed the questions at the end of the book to help get the kids talking about the stories in the book. I am looking forward to exploring other classic starts books.

[Sophie D · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because I had just read Percy Jackson and I wanted to know more about Greek mythology before continuing with the series.

I found this book quite interesting because it was all of the Greek myths in an abridged form which was good because I just wanted a bit of back ground knowledge.

I enjoyed this book. A very quick and easy read.

[Cbarrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son just read this to me, a chapter each night. Provides the basics of each story and communicates it in a way that encourages young readers to cultivate a love for the classic literature and stories. The Classic Starts Series is a great resource to introduce these stories to young children.

[Nathaniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. My favorite story was one about a lion at the front, a donkey in the middle and a snake at the end and about how it dies.

[Brennan Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is awesome if you need a traditianol lit

[Gözde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rick Riordan sayesinde gördüğüm her mitoloji kitabını satın alıyorum. Şimdi de İrlanda mitolojisi ile ilgili kitap yazmak istiyormuş hakkımızda hayırlısı. Çok ince çok kolay okunabilir bir kitap, hedef kitlesi tartışmasız çocuklar. Classic Starts serisini çok beğeniyorum, Remzi Kitabevi açılırsa yakında birkaç tane daha alabilirim bence. Kitabın kapağında “retold from the classic originals” yazması insanı ister istemez etkiliyor bence. Bilmediğim hiçbir hikaye okumadım. Ama hikayelerin kısa anlaşılabilir oluşu güzeldi. Çizimlerin gerçekçi olmasını da beğendim. En popüler kişilerin hikayesi vardı. Hera ve Zeus hiçbir kitap hiçbir hikayede favorim değiller. Fena bir okuma değildi kesinlikle. Rick Riordan’ın isimlerden hikayelerden yola çıkarak nasıl kitaplar yazdığı ister istemez görülüyor. Ama kendine özgü bir tarzı ve hayal gücü var kesinlikle.

[trijnewijn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Griekse mythen, maar dan zoals de sprookjes van Grimm wat getweakt zodat ze geschikter zijn voor kinderen. Goed als eerste kennismaking, beetje teleurstellend als je beseft hoe vaak van de oorspronkelijke mythen afgeweken wordt. Helaas kent de zoon dankzij Percy Jackson en mijn 20 jaar oude boek vol iets minder gefilterde Griekse mythen een minder verbloemde versie, waardoor er na bijna elke mythe aanvullingen kwamen die de dochter toch deden gruwelen.

[Harper Mahlburg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harper M,
I will give this book 5 stars.
My favorite of the GREEK MYTHS is the 1st chapter War Among The Gods.
One of the reason I like this book is because I like stories about made up or true from Greek, Rome, Egypt, and China because.
Why do some of the stories have heroes winning only because the princess helps them but in return the heroes have to marry them?
I want to read the Last Of The Mohicans.

[Arie · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book for beginners, I'm an adult but enjoyed the majority of the book with how straight forward it is. It can be a little confusing at one point if you don't know greek mythology already, but aside from that, was good.

[Geronimo Narnia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't really like all the gods parts. That goes against my religion. Zeus is the king of all the gods. I liked that it was adventurous and everybody was going on adventures basically.

[Samantha · Rating 1 out of 5]

I want to read the book

[Carole · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Classic Starts series gives younger readers a chance to experience works that, in the original form, would be too advanced for them. This volume gives the reader a taste of Greek Myths.

[Noah Letner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I nice read for the young and beginner greek mythologist.

[J Roggero · Rating 4 out of 5]

The audio books is well produced with an excellent reader. Simple retelling of classics, easily consumed by children.

[Daniel Giroux-Pare · Rating 2 out of 5]

Already read about most of these....

[Ratty Datty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun!

[Kali_readsbooks4 · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Gerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read. But some myths have different endings according to the Wiki Greek myth part. Maybe it's for children, so the author modifies stories to avoid the darkness of humanity.

[Gee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read after 3rd chapter😹

[Heidi King · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is written for third to fourth graders and provides a great overview about quite a few myths.

[Dakota Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not something i would normally try but i enjoyed it more then i thought i would.
( a book about mythology)

[JontyTolleson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice little reminder of Greek mythology

[Maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very informative and definitely helped me understand the Percy Jackson series a little more. the myths in here were great and, even though they can be a little weird and sometimes terrifying, I loved reading this before bed. even though it didn't include all the stories, it still told and explained a lot I didn't understand at first. I'm definitely reading more of these, but for now, this is good enough for me.