For something that sprints into the topic of the Olympic games, try The Ancient Olympic Games by Jhonny Núñez. Get the Olympic buzz from all the excitement of the hippodrome, Olympic ceremonies and celebrations, and learn about the importance of the Heraia – the competition for women organised by women. This text would work well alongside the picturebook The Corinthian Girl, which is an inspiring short story based on the Heraean Games.
What are the best children’s books to learn about Greek mythology?
Children are captivated by Greek mythology due to its enthralling tales of gods, heroes, and mythical creatures. These stories spark their imagination, offer life lessons, and provide insight into ancient Greek culture. The larger-than-life characters often resonate with children, inspiring them and making the ancient past more relatable. This is why Greek mythology engages children and is always a hit in KS2 classrooms.
If you are looking for collections of Greek myths suitable for children, one of the very best is the Orchard Book of Greek Myths, which is a beautifully illustrated collection that contains 16 popular Greek myths retold in rich but accessible storytelling language. Myths, Monsters and Mayhem in Ancient Greece is also a great choice, which offers Greek myths and legends retold in a comic book style. For a deep dive into particular Greek gods and goddesses, we recommend Athena and Gaia, both of which are stunning large-format books that will draw readers in through stylish illustrations, fascinating background information and an empowering focus on female deities.
Finally, many children enjoy reading fiction that incorporates characters from mythology into new stories. The Percy Jackson series is our number one recommendation for any children with an interest in mythology. Percy’s modern world is turned upside down when he finds out he is descended from Greek gods. What follows is battles with monsters and epic quests in an action-packed series that merges Greek mythology with the modern world – which has turned into a multi-million-selling series. Another take on a modern-meets-mythological adventure is Maz Evans’ Who Let the Gods Out, which is a fast-moving narrative with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments based on the exploits of a boy called Elliot, who falls into a misadventure with the Olympian gods.