The Gods and Goddesses of Olympus

Rating:
Summary: Children will learn how the Olympians gained their thrones
Review: "The Gods and Goddesses of Olympus" provides two-page spreads on the fourteen major deities of Greek mythology. The large print text provides three or four paragraphs of description of how each was born, their responsibilities, and some of the myths associated with them. Children will enjoy Aliki's colorful full and half-page illustrations for each god(desses) and can match the details from the text with elements of the pictures. This is an excellent intermediary book on classical mythology, which provides more than the bare boned descriptions of an introductory effort, but without getting into detail.

I was expecting that this book would simply go through the pantheon of major gods and goddesses of Greek mythology, but the first-third is devoted to telling the story of how the Olympians came to rule. Aliki begins with the creation of Gaea, the Earth, from the dark space of Chaos, and Uranus, the sky. Gaea then gave birth to the first gods, the Titans, as well as the Cyclopes and Hectaoncheires. Cronus, the youngest of the Titans overthrows Uranus and becomes Lord of the Universe, but afraid that one of his children might overthrow him in turn, he swallows each of his children as he is born. But his wife Rhea tricks Cronus into swallowing a stone instead of their youngest child, Zeus. Eventually Zeus rescues his siblings, overthrows Cronus and the Olympians take their thrones.

Teachers and parents should anticipate that young readers are going to have some questions about the rather strange marital relationships of the Greek gods. After all, Gaea gives birth to Uranus and then bears him children. Both Cronus and Zeus marry their sisters, who also bear children. The explanation that there are different rules for the gods might not sit too well with them. But then just remember, Socrates had some questions about the morality of these gods as well (he wondered why if when humans did what the gods did and it was considered wrong, then why was it considered right when the gods did it).

Rating:
Summary: Children will learn how the Olympians gained their thrones
Review: "The Gods and Goddesses of Olympus" provides two-page spreads on the fourteen major deities of Greek mythology. The large print text provides three or four paragraphs of description of how each was born, their responsibilities, and some of the myths associated with them. Children will enjoy Aliki's colorful full and half-page illustrations for each god(desses) and can match the details from the text with elements of the pictures. This is an excellent intermediary book on classical mythology, which provides more than the bare boned descriptions of an introductory effort, but without getting into detail.

I was expecting that this book would simply go through the pantheon of major gods and goddesses of Greek mythology, but the first-third is devoted to telling the story of how the Olympians came to rule. Aliki begins with the creation of Gaea, the Earth, from the dark space of Chaos, and Uranus, the sky. Gaea then gave birth to the first gods, the Titans, as well as the Cyclopes and Hectaoncheires. Cronus, the youngest of the Titans overthrows Uranus and becomes Lord of the Universe, but afraid that one of his children might overthrow him in turn, he swallows each of his children as he is born. But his wife Rhea tricks Cronus into swallowing a stone instead of their youngest child, Zeus. Eventually Zeus rescues his siblings, overthrows Cronus and the Olympians take their thrones.

Teachers and parents should anticipate that young readers are going to have some questions about the rather strange marital relationships of the Greek gods. After all, Gaea gives birth to Uranus and then bears him children. Both Cronus and Zeus marry their sisters, who also bear children. The explanation that there are different rules for the gods might not sit too well with them. But then just remember, Socrates had some questions about the morality of these gods as well (he wondered why if when humans did what the gods did and it was considered wrong, then why was it considered right when the gods did it).

Rating:
Summary: Luv it!
Review: I really enjoyed this book. It's so richly illustrated, and I like reading about the gods and godesses. Especially Athena. She's so wise. She is my favorite godess. I encourage other kids to read this book. In fact, I'll urge them! Keep those kind of books coming!

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic book!
Review: My 6-yr old neice absolutely loves this book. We had checked it out of the library and now I am purchasing it for her. This serves as a very good introduction to Greek mythology for young kids. It is clearly written and provides interesting vocabulary (that sometimes needs explanation). Our absolute favorite thing about the book is the illustration. The images are beautiful, fanciful, and inspire a person to dream! My neice has a hard time visually what words mean; she likes how there's a large portrait of the god or goddess, then scattered around him or her are little vignettes in pictures illustrating some major events in their lives. She can "read" this book herself and recall the stories. The images truly stick in one's mind.

I've looked at a dozen kids mythology books. Start them out with this one. If they are a bit older and dig mythology, get this for them anyhow. It will help refresh their memory.

Rating:
Summary: Great book for children.
Review: My son is 3 and he loves this book. The information on the gods is interesting enough to entertain parents reading to a child, and the artwork is fun and colorful.

Rating:
Summary: Great book for children.
Review: My son is 3 and he loves this book. The information on the gods is interesting enough to entertain parents reading to a child, and the artwork is fun and colorful.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic book!
Review: The Gods and Goddesses of Olympus is an interesting book. This book explains the origin of the gods and goddesses of Olympus. After reading this book a couple of times you will gain basic knowledge of the Greek gods and goddesses and how they evolved.

Aliki provides excellent illustrations that allow the story to be vividly portrayed. The illustrations relate well with the text and help the reader create a better understanding for the text. Her illustrations are drawn in pencil, then inked and colored with paints and colored pencils.

This book is at about a fifth grade reading level. However, the contents of this book are intended for an older, more mature audience, which leads to some concerns with using the book in the classroom. There are many moral issues in the book, as well as gruesome concepts throughout the book. For example, the ideas of incest are mentioned repeatedly, along with murder. These concepts may be rather difficult to explain to your students within your classroom.

Students who are interested in Greek gods and goddesses would really enjoy this book. However, in order for students to understand this book they need to be at a high independent reading level. The book can get rather confusing the first time around.

Rating:
Summary: Gods and Goddesses of Olympus
Review: The Gods and Goddesses of Olympus is an interesting book. This book explains the origin of the gods and goddesses of Olympus. After reading this book a couple of times you will gain basic knowledge of the Greek gods and goddesses and how they evolved.

Aliki provides excellent illustrations that allow the story to be vividly portrayed. The illustrations relate well with the text and help the reader create a better understanding for the text. Her illustrations are drawn in pencil, then inked and colored with paints and colored pencils.

This book is at about a fifth grade reading level. However, the contents of this book are intended for an older, more mature audience, which leads to some concerns with using the book in the classroom. There are many moral issues in the book, as well as gruesome concepts throughout the book. For example, the ideas of incest are mentioned repeatedly, along with murder. These concepts may be rather difficult to explain to your students within your classroom.

Students who are interested in Greek gods and goddesses would really enjoy this book. However, in order for students to understand this book they need to be at a high independent reading level. The book can get rather confusing the first time around.

Rating:
Summary: A very pretty book
Review: This book is very bright & has very pretty pictures to hold a child's attention. I bought it for my 8 yr old & I think it is a very nice book.

Rating:
Summary: A very pretty book
Review: This book is very bright & has very pretty pictures to hold a child's attention. I bought it for my 8 yr old & I think it is a very nice book.