Mythology Books for Children

This superb and beautifully illustrated collection contains 16 popular Greek myths retold in rich but accessible storytelling language. The Orchard Book of Greek Myths allows readers to follow the adventures of Jason, Theseus, Odysseus, Icarus, Arachne, King Midas and many more heroes and heroines of Ancient Greek mythology and features colour artwork throughout.

Full of short but wonderfully detailed stories of the feminine heroes in Greek mythology, this is a perfect addition to any bookshelf of someone interested in history and Ancient Greece.

Every last detail has been considered, including the contents page, which shows a picture of each woman and a short synopsis of their story, for example, Ariadne: the Cretan princess who helped crack the Labyrinth and stop the Minotaur. Who would not want to read such an intriguing tale? Each story is written in first person, from the viewpoint of the female, a side that has not always been told before.

Though the stories are not in full, they give enough details to inspire a love of Greek mythology. It even ends with a section entitled, ‘What happened next?’ with a short insight into the future of these famous women. This book will surely be an inspiration to many and foster that interest in Ancient Greece and the tales from there.

This volume contains 11 illustrated retellings of sagas, which are Viking stories that are characteristically gruesome but also filled with magic and treasure.

The retellings in this collection are engaging, exciting and well-pitched for KS2. The book contains colour illustrations and extra information pages that explain the history behind the Viking Sagas and how they came to be remembered today.

This is the children’s edition of Amy Jeffs’ Storyland, which is a rich collection of myths and legends from Britain. Children in Key Stage 2 are likely to be familiar with stories from Greek mythology or Roman legends, but this short story collection looks closer to home for the myths and legends of Britain – including stories of giants, dragons and wizards.

It’s interesting to ponder and discuss how people from the past understood the world around them through stories. A good challenge for readers looking to learn about Britain’s literary heritage or an entertaining read for those who love fantasy and mythology, the stories are well-written and have been made accessible for children, with illustrations bringing them to life.

Egyptian Myths is a brilliant book to accompany KS2 history topics about Ancient Civilisations. It looks stunning, with its black cover and golden spine, and is packed with stories from Egypt, which have been retold in a way accessible to younger readers. The stories have their fair share of mythical creatures, terrible consequences and gruesome endings, all of which are completely captivating to read and perfect to share aloud.

The illustrations are rich in colour and pay homage to hieroglyphics in their style, but are slightly cartoonesque too, enabling children to grasp some of the quite complicated ancient plot lines and characters.

The final spread is a list of Egyptian vocabulary with anglicised pronunciation underneath, which will be invaluable to most teachers when they start this topic.

‘Beasts of the Ancient World’ is a phenomenal illustrated book, which will appeal to any child who loves to learn about history, animals or mythology. The book contains an array of stories about monsters from all over the ancient world, while including facts and illustrations about them.

From the very beginning of the book, the content page taps into the reader’s interests, by including subheadings for each group of stories. Are you interested in terrifying monsters? Then look at the ‘Our worst fears’ section. Love to hear about epic wars? ‘Battles with monsters’ is for you! A bit of a scaredy cat? There is also a section titled ‘Kind beasts’, which would suit the less brave!

The stories throughout claim to remind us that ‘things are never really as simple as brave human defeats monster’. They have been carefully selected from around the world and allow readers to learn about the creatures within them, as well as the cultures they came from. There are many unique features within it to help gain a breadth in children’s learning about mythology and cultural legends from around the globe. For example, there is a world map with a key, which explains where each of the mythical creatures was created by ancient storytellers. Interwoven through the stories are fact pages with beautiful illustrations of different creatures. There are snippets of non-fiction fact files, which include anything from beasts that fly, great guardians and creatures from under the sea. There is something in this book for everyone!

This is a stunning book. From the colourful front cover to the detailed endpapers, with every page beautifully illustrated in full colour. A must-have in any classroom, but especially one where the Vikings are studied

The collection of simply retold Norse myths, broken down into short chunks of text, has accompanying information to add context and historical detail. Sometimes this is in the form of giving the meaning behind a name (Friday or ‘Frigg’s Day’ is from the Norse Goddess, Frigg) or information about the beliefs of the Norse people, such as the raven being a sacred bird.

Many will be familiar with the characters of Thor and Loki, but how many children know the story behind how Thor’s hammer was made or how Loki the trickster ended up chained beneath the Earth with a snake dripping poison in his eyes? Children will love learning the stories behind names they are already familiar with, as well as discovering new ones.

The Amazing Book of World Mythology offers short and accessible retellings of mythical stories from around the world.

It is pleasing to see the stories grouped not by place of origin but by their themes. This emphasises the commonalities of the global tradition of storytelling and the connections between the stories we have all told and been told. Each of the six themed chapters is divided into four or five stories, which can be read in isolation and are well-suited to reading aloud, whether as a short bedtime story or to a whole class. Each chapter finishes with a double-paged spread introducing more stories, objects or characters relating to the theme, further emphasising the similarities in storytelling across the world.

The book is attractively illustrated, and using a different illustrator for each of the myths is particularly effective. The diversity of the artists and their art styles is an essential part of why the book works so well and how it offers such an effective broadening of horizons. In combination, the quality of the storytelling, the illustrations and the breadth of the stories offered mean this is one of those books that every child should have access to. It’s a perfect addition to any collection of mythology books for children.

Perfect for those who adore adventures, history, mythology or a strong lead female character.

Luna grapples with strange forest creatures, exciting and dangerous challenges, along with a young Atzec girl called Atzi. Following their journey, in which Luna had ulterior motives, she learnt the important moral ‘there were more important things than just looking out for yourself’

This graphic novel style book follows in the format of the other Brownstone’s Mythical Collection and is accessible for even the most reluctant reader; each time the book is read, you can spot a new detail. It is a beautiful book to hold, with its detailed illustrations, it makes you want to dive straight in with the promise of treasure and adventure on the cover.

This book is great to share with primary year groups and recommended for any book corner.

This highly appealing text is a graphic-novel-style picturebook.

It follows the story of young Arthur, who embarks upon a quest to seek out the help of the Viking gods in relighting a fire before the villagers back home freeze to death. In return for their help, Thor sets his own quest for Arthur to complete.

A highly engaging book that offers an introduction to Norse mythology.

This highly appealing text is a graphic-novel-style picture book

It follows the story of young Marcy, who finds himself on a mission to save her father after he becomes trapped inside an Ancient Egyptian Sphinx. On her journey, Marcy must learn to overcome her fears and challenge evil as she encounters hieroglyphs, Egyptian gods and ancient tombs as she goes about her quest.

A gentle introduction to Ancient Egyptian mythology in the form of an exciting quest narrative.

This highly appealing text is a hybrid between picture book and graphic novel. It follows the story of young Leo, who finds himself on an Ancient Greek quest to slay a beast. This modern twist on the myth of Perseus and Medusa is full of all of the delights expected of Greek mythology – monsters, heroes, quests and challenges – while emphasising a new set of values around what it means to be a hero.

Another brilliantly hilarious read from Maz Evans in her series of funny history-themed books, where modern mortals meet ancient gods and goddesses.

In this book, Vespa and her cousin travel to the Egyptian underworld to rescue Ra, the sun god, who has been kidnapped by Seth, the god of chaos. To do that, they have to be dead, so Isis sees to it by sending their spirits down, much to the dismay of their parents. Isis insists they will be sent back alive by Osiris once their mission is complete.

The cousins are faced with plenty of danger while looking for Ra. This book is packed full of mythology presented humorously. It’s a fabulously engaging book that had me chuckling all the way through! . It’s perfect for use in the classroom for teaching about mythology in a light-hearted, entertaining way. Teachers and pupils alike will love this book.

If you are studying the Vikings, the Viking gods and the myths and legends that surround them, then this is certainly an adventure story that will entertain and inform.

There is a handy guide to the nine worlds and to the different gods at the start of chapter two, cleverly woven in as part of Lotta’s revision before her first test as a Valkyrie – travelling to Midgard. The story weaves in the fictional names of the book characters with the real names found in Viking mythology and you need to have your wits about you to know which is which!

This story will please those who like a good quest, an adventure story with plenty of nasty characters to love to hate and unlikely heroes to cheer on. It will particularly engage those readers who enjoy anything to do with the Vikings or mythology!

Few authors can make children squeal with delight quite so readily as Pamela Butchart. As a teacher, I appreciate the accessibility of the books too and always get a positive response when I recommend them to even the most reluctant of readers.

This story is about a girl who loves Ancient Greek myths and enjoys dramatically recounting them to her friends. 

Thomas Flintham’s illustrations are easily recognisable and perfectly capture the chaotic, wonderful humour of the series. A must-read Ancient Greek story for younger KS2 pupils!

This is a multi-million-selling series that has also been televised with Disney and is hugely popular among fans of action and adventure.

Percy Jackson’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.

There are also Teachers’ Notes available to download from the publisher.

This fast-moving narrative with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments is a huge hit, especially with upper KS2.

The story is based on the exploits of a boy called Elliot, who falls into an adventurous mission and calls on the help of the Olympian gods. Full of comedy scenes and sad parts too, we think this is an excellent story to read aloud for a light-hearted take on how Greek gods would fare in the modern world.

There are also chapter-by-chapter reading resources available to download from the publisher.

Studying the Maya civilisation (definitely not ‘the Mayans’ as you will find out in the book) is a popular theme in KS2 and now Maz Evans has provided the perfect class reader to go alongside the topic!

As well as enjoying a humorous, fast-paced adventure, readers will learn about Maya culture, including meeting some of their gods and experiencing the deadly game Pok a Tok, which cousins Vesper and Aster must play to prevent the destruction of both themselves and their world.

The two characters are very different – Vesper, football-loving, outspoken and headstrong and Aster, quieter and more studious, but with a bright secret – and the reader comes to understand them, their relationships, their strengths and their motives as the story develops. Many children will be familiar with, and fans of, the Who Let the Gods Out series by the same author, and they will equally enjoy this spin-off series, which includes some familiar and favourite characters, but is a series starter in its own right.

This is a brilliant read-aloud to bring the Maya world to life and help pupils make links in their learning about ancient civilizations.

Inspired by West African and Igbo history, this adventure-filled fantasy introduces readers to Cameron Battle as he begins his journey to greatness.

Cameron Battle has vivid memories of his early childhood, listening to his Mother read him magical and adventurous tales from the Book of Chidani – a lost mythical kingdom of the Igbo people whose Queen bargained with the gods, cutting it off from the world to save her people from slavery.

However, after his parents mysteriously died in a car crash, Cameron’s Grandmother locked the book away in the attic and forbade him to open it again. That is until one summer sleepover with his best friends Zion and Aliyah, when strange things start to happen, and they decide to investigate the attic. As soon as they open the book, a portal drags them into the world of Chidani, which is no longer the place Cameron saw in his Mother’s stories, but is one of darkness and danger, having been thrown into a war between the Queen and her evil sister, who has stolen ‘The Three Gifts’ that give the Queen her power.

Cameron is quickly hurled into the centre of the battle for Chidani – and for Earth. He comes face to face with his past, the legacy his parents left him, and his future. He is ‘The Descendant’ and the people of Chidani are counting on him. But can a 12-year-old boy become a hero? After intensive training in the Igbo fighting style, Dambe, the young heroes set off to find ‘The Three Gifts,’ using The Book to help them solve riddles to seek the missing objects and facing Gods and monsters on their way.

The very relatable characters all grow through the story, facing their fears and finding their strength in different ways, and themes of friendship, family and destiny run through the story. The short chapters combined with the excitement and adventure in this fast-paced narrative would make it a fantastic class novel.

A diary-style book that merges modern life with Greek mythology.

Hercules Braver is desperate to live up to his name and sees starting high school as the perfect opportunity to assert both himself and his two friends, Pav and Hatty, as the coolest new kids in school.

Unfortunately, things don’t go according to plan, but just when things look like they couldn’t get any worse, a miracle occurs – Hercules’ birth dad shows up. He doesn’t just look like a Greek god; it turns out that he is a Greek God. On the plus side, he can grant wishes and make Hercules the coolest kid in town.

A funny, laugh-out-loud book which will appeal to fans of Wimpy Kid as well as those with an interest in Greek mythology. Easy-to-read text with illustrations by David O’Connell.

This is the second in the series of Livi’s adventures, but it works well as a standalone read, as there is plenty of backstory to explain it all.

It is a wonderfully bonkers book, taking Roman and Greek mythology and using it as the basis for madcap escapades, mixed up with modern situations too. I particularly liked the extensive glossary and use of historical terms throughout the text. My favourite part was the collection of objects, and I don’t think it would spoil the plot to mention that Alan Titchmarsh’s secateurs are amongst them. Any book that can make adults as well as children laugh and learn, has got to be a good one.

Livi is such an entertaining narrator, and her bluntness is her strength. The illustrations and cover by Flavia Sorrentino are a delight, hinting at the story at the start of each chapter as well as bringing some of the characters to life. This is definitely the sort of book to make a great read-aloud and companion text for any Romans topic.

DK’s My Encyclopedia of Very Important Myths and Legends is a superb addition to an encyclopedia series we love, offering an exciting gateway into a world of ancient mythology.

This book takes young readers on a global journey, exploring a rich array of mythical stories, from familiar heroic quests to lesser-known magical creatures and legendary battles.

This accessible encyclopedia is a superb resource for introducing the characters and places found in ancient mythology from all around the world. With chapters including ‘Sea Creatures’, ‘Heroes and Battles’ and ‘Winged Creatures’, this book will not only inspire imaginations but also become an invaluable tool for inspiring a deeper appreciation for literary heritage and the age-old art of storytelling.

Myths, Mummies and Magic in Ancient Egypt is illustrated throughout in shades of orange and blue, with helpful pages naming and describing the main players in Egyptian mythology and history, and topics such as mummification and hieroglyphics.

The main body of the book is given over to mythical and historical stories told as comic strips, from the creation myth through to Cleopatra (and so many puns).

We like the way the stories have been simplified without losing the sense of other-world mysticism; confident readers from Year 3 upwards would find this a great way of picking up these tales for the first time. Readers familiar with Ancient Egypt will enjoy the humour and there’s a good dash of obscure fact to add to their knowledge.

Impressive from the outset, this large-format, boldly-stylized hardback book is a visual feast exploring the details of 50 Greek gods, goddesses, mortals and monsters. Each spread shows a new character, with poster-like images depicting the classical characters in a new light; vibrant, modern representations in an energetically layered collage style. Classics scholar Dr Stephen Kershaw provides a written description of each of the 50 characters, bringing out key characteristics, roles and relationships as well as a summary of the associated myths. Suitable for upper KS2+.