Synopses & Reviews
Ancient names come to rich and fascinating life in this lavishly illustrated gift book for mythology fans and word lovers. Did you know that and#8220;museumsand#8221; were initially temples built to worship the nine muses, the goddesses of the arts? That and#8220;Janusand#8221; was the god of the doorways and hallways, and we have named our janitors after him?
Where did these words and#8212; and other words, such as chaos, genius, nemesis, panic, echo, and narcissus and#8212; come from? From the ancient stories of the Greeks and#8212; stories that rang so true and wise that the names of the characters have survived for centuries as words we use every day. The brief stories here not only impart the subtle wisdom of these ancient tales, but make us understand the words, and our own world, more deeply.
Review
"A treat for myth lovers and language lovers alike, this smart and well-executed compilation should provide readers with a deeper understanding of the ways in which language evolves and of the surprising symbolism behind certain words."--
Publishers Weekly, starred review "The colorful artwork and brief chapters make this volume ideal for classroom sharing. Use this unique offering to launch a discussion about the elemental power of story and its influence on modern-day language."--School Library Journal
"Sure to attract language arts teachers who want students to master word origins, this work will also hold strong appeal for teens who will be attracted by the combination of clever text and exceptional illustrations."--VOYA
Synopsis
In print for over fifty years, D'Aulaires Book of Greek Mythshas introduced generations to Greek mythology and continues to enthrall young readers.
Here are the greats of ancient Greece gods and goddesses, heroes and monsters as freshly described in words and pictures as if they were alive today:
Powerful Zeus, king of the gods, with his fistful of thunderbolts
Hermes, mischievous trickster and messenger of the gods
Gray-eyed Athena, goddess of wisdom and battle strategy
The monstrous Minotaur, slain by brave Theseus
Snake-haired Medusa the gorgon, turning enemies to stone with her steely stare
Hercules the mightiest, part mortal, part god
These and other equally magnificent figures parade across the pages, their heroic deeds and petty squabbles illuminated in full dimension.
No other volume of Greek mythology has inspired as many young readers as this timeless classic. Both adults and children alike will find this book a treasure for years to come.
For any child fortunate enough to have this generous book . . . the kings and heroes of ancient legend will remain forever matter-of-fact; the pictures interpret the text literally and are full of detail and witty observation. The Horn Book
The drawings . . . are excellent and excitingly evocative. The New York Times
A New York Public Library s 100 Great Children s Books-100 Years selection
An NPR 100 Must-Reads for Kids 9 14 selection"
Synopsis
I doubt I would have grown up to be the writer and artist I became had I not fallen in love with D'Aulaire's Book of Greek Myths at the age of seven.--R. J. Palacio, author of Wonder Kids can lose themselves in a world of myth and magic while learning important cultural history in this beloved classic collection of Greek mythology. Now updated with a new cover and an afterword featuring never-before-published drawings from the sketchbook of Ingri and Edgar D'Aulaire, plus an essay about their life and work and photos from the family achive.
In print for over fifty years, D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths has introduced generations to Greek mythology--and continues to enthrall young readers.
Here are the greats of ancient Greece--gods and goddesses, heroes and monsters--as freshly described in words and pictures as if they were alive today.
No other volume of Greek mythology has inspired as many young readers as this timeless classic. Both adults and children alike will find this book a treasure for years to come.
Synopsis
A classic gift book for ages 7 and up, this rich collection -- illustrated in full-color by Gareth Hinds and retold by professional storyteller Lise Lunge-Larsen --and#160; shows how the ancient myths from Greece rang so true and wise that the names of the characters have survived as words we now use every day.and#160; (A few examples are genius, tantalize, panic, muse, nemesis, fury, victory.and#160; No mythology has given English as many words as the Greek and Roman myths.) Not only imparting the subtle wisdom of these ancient tales, this slim book makes us understand the words more deeply.
Synopsis
Master storyteller Lise Lunge Larsen brings to life the ancient stories behind the enduring words the Greeks have given us. To be illustrated in full color.
About the Author
Folklorist, linguist, and professional storyteller, Lise Lunge Larsen draws upon her rich background in legends and myths to make these tales come alive.and#160; A children's book author, she has received many starred reviews and awards for her books.and#160;
Gareth Hinds has created illustrated versions of such classics as BEOWULF, KING LEAR, MERCHANT OF VENICE and most recently, THE ODYSSEY, forthcoming from Candlewick in fall 2010.and#160;and#160; As a recent interview with him (SLJ Teen 1/20/2010) said, "He stays faithful to the original text but uses art to illuminate the story and make it more accessible to the reader."and#160; A graduate of the Parsons School of Design, he lives in New York City with his wife, former children's bookseller, Alison Morris.and#160;
Table of Contents
In Olden Times 9
Gaea, Mother Earth 10
The Titans 12
ZEUS and his Family 16
Hera 24
Hephaestus 28
Aphrodite 30
Ares 32
Athena 34
Poseidon 38
Apollo 42
Artemis 44
Hermes 50
Hades 56
Persephone and Demeter 58
Dionysus 64
MINOR GOS, Nymphs, Satyrs, and Centaurs 70
Prometheus 72
Pandora 74
Deucalion 76
Eos 80
Helios and Phaëthon 82
Selene 86
Pan 90
Echo 92
Syrinx 94
The Wild and Vulgar Centaurs 96
Asclepius 98
The Nine Muses 100
Orpheus 102
MORTAL DESCENDANTS OF ZEUS 106
Europa and Cadmus 108
Tantalus and Pelops 112
Danaüs, Perseus, and the Gorgon 114
Clever and Vainglorious Kings 123
King Midas 124
Sisyphus 126
Bellerophon 128
Melampus 130
Heracles 132
Theseus 148
Oedipus 158
The Golden Fleece 162
The Calydonian Boar Hunt 176
The Apples of Love and the Apple of Discord 178
Everything Must Come to an End 189
INDEX 190