For children fascinated by tales of ancient gods and heroes, this collection introduces the dramatic adventures and timeless lessons of Greek mythology.
A parent might reach for this book when their early elementary schooler shows a budding interest in superheroes, magic, or grand adventure stories, but isn't quite ready for the complexity or intensity of longer fantasy novels. This collection offers a perfect introduction to the world of Greek mythology, retold in simple, accessible language suitable for young readers. The book highlights fourteen famous myths, including the clever tricks of the baby god Hermes, the story of Pandora's box, and the adventures of the hero Heracles. By focusing on the action and moral lessons while toning down the violence and mature themes of the original tales, it satisfies a child's curiosity about gods and monsters in a safe, engaging way. It’s an excellent choice for sparking imagination and building a foundation for classical literature.
The Underworld and monsters like the Minotaur are mentioned but not described in frightening detail.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals with themes of peril, monsters, and conflict, which are inherent to the myths. Violence (e.g., Heracles's labors, Theseus fighting the Minotaur) and death (Persephone's journey to the Underworld) are present but are handled in a very direct, non-graphic, storybook manner. The approach is entirely secular, treating the myths as foundational stories rather than religious text. Resolutions are simplified to be hopeful or to provide a clear moral lesson, avoiding the tragic or ambiguous nature of many original myths.
Ideal Reader
The ideal reader is a 6 to 9-year-old who is a confident emerging reader of chapter books. This child loves fantasy and adventure, is curious about the 'olden days', and is ready for stories with more depth than a picture book but not the intensity of middle-grade fantasy like Percy Jackson. It is perfect for a child who enjoys stories about tricksters and heroes.
Parent Prep
No specific pages require previewing. Parents should know that these are highly sanitized versions of the myths. The darker motivations, violence, and adult relationships from the original sources are omitted. It is helpful to present the book as 'one version' of these ancient stories, which can open up conversations later about how stories change over time. A parent has noticed their child is fascinated by characters with powers, asking questions about gods they've seen in other media, or is starting to read books with more complex plots. The parent is looking for a gentle, age-appropriate entry point into the world of mythology.
Age Experience
A younger reader (6-7) will experience these as exciting stand-alone adventure stories. They will focus on the action: a baby stealing cows, a hero fighting a monster. An older reader (8-10) will begin to connect the dots between the stories, understand the personalities of the different gods, and grasp the explanatory nature of myths, for example, how the story of Persephone explains the seasons.
What Makes It Special
Compared to other popular mythology collections like the D'Aulaires' book, Rockwell's retelling is distinguished by its extreme simplicity and accessibility for a younger audience. The language is straightforward, the chapters are short, and the focus remains squarely on the narrative action. The choice to frame the collection with the charming 'Robber Baby' story makes the often-intimidating pantheon of gods feel immediately relatable and fun.
Read plot summary
This book is a collection of fourteen foundational Greek myths, simplified and retold for an early elementary audience. It begins with the title story about the infant Hermes stealing Apollo's cattle and covers other major tales including the creation of the world, Pandora's Box, Persephone and the seasons, Echo and Narcissus, the labors of Heracles, and Theseus and the Minotaur. Each myth is presented as a short, self-contained chapter, making it easy to read one at a time.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
