Rating: 
Summary: Nothing better!
Review: A rare gem in the science fiction/fantasy genre, this series has a female heroine, Lyra. We follow Lyra throughout the series as she encounters intense mysteries and drama. Although this is a fantasy book series, it is superbly written and is excellent in making the reader become so engrossed that they nearly forget where they are.I would use these books with high school, reluctant reader girls, since it's an excellent story about a girl who saves the world. They would learn from this book that girls are also craft, witty, and brilliant. Another group that I would recommend this series to are advanced high school readers as I believe these books have direct references to Paradise Lost and also make general remarks on religion. In fact by the final book, your idea of religion is completely obscured. I think it would be interesting for them to do a compare/contrast with Paradise lost of perhaps how the series develops a theme of religion. 9. D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths by Ingri D'Aulaires and Edgar Parin D'Aulaires
Copyright 1980, Bantam Doubleday Dell
Great book to build a reading unit around
One of the major things that was lacking in my education through college, was any sort of introduction to Greek Mythology. Although we seem to now steer clear of any kind of old literature ("dead white men"), I believe Greek Mythology is an important part of a person's reading repertoire. There have been many situations (not to mention Jeopardy questions) where I'm at a complete loss because I never learned Greek Mythology. My friend recently introduced me to this book, claiming his copy was so worn out from repetitive readings his parents provided him and his brothers. What an excellent find this book is! I would use this book in the classroom and read these aloud to the students. I believe it would be a great idea to have a Greek Mythology unit where we use this book as our base reading, and have the kids explore other Greek Mythology books. I think children at first will think Greek Mythology is boring, yet they would soon find out that it is all around them. They could have a good time finding things in their neighborhoods that relate like street names, restaurant names, etc. and perhaps write some report on their findings.
Rating:
Summary: Should be required reading!
Review: I checked this book out of the library dozens of times as a child. The stories and intrigue of the Greek pantheon, combined with the outstanding illustrations, make this book a must-read for any child (or adult) with more than a passing interest in history, or religion or mythology. To this day, not having seen the book in nearly 20 years, I can recall vividly the illustration of Argus with his hundred eyes, standing in Hera's chamber. Or Athena, springing fully formed from Zeus' head. Another thing I like is that the authors didn't sugarcoat any of the Greek myths, which were as red in tooth and claw as Nature herself. To me, that would have destroyed the impact and power of these stories. This book is truly a classic of kids' literature.
Rating: 
Summary: Buyer Beware
Review: I did not find the book lucid. I cannot name one child who would enjoy this book.
I read it and tossed it into my trash can.
Oh is it badly written and presented!
It goes like this: Here is a huge number of gods dumped on your head in total chaos, none of whom have one charming characteristic, not one story is worth a dang because they aren't lucid, and you really ought to be reading Bulfinch instead.
Rating:
Summary: Timeless Book of Tales
Review: I first read this book when I was twelve years old and it affected me so much that ten years later I still have a deep and abiding love of Greek mythology. A ratty, paperback copy I found at Salvation Army still holds *the* place of honor in my Greco-Roman collection, usurping The Odyssey, The Iliad, Edith Hamilton, and Robert Graves. What originally struck me as so fantastic (and still does) is that the D'aulaires don't write down to their audience or edit out details important to the original myth that some parents might not approve of. The end result? An all ages storybook and mythological primer that no one should be ashamed to own. The drawings are an acquired taste, falling somewhere between Classical pottery paintings and Art Deco, but they do grow on you. My only quibble is that there's no pronunciation guide, which can really hamper you if this is your first exposure to these stories. Buy this for for your children or even for yourself, you will never regret it.
Rating:
Summary: Greek Myths
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It accurately portrayed many of the better known myths with wonderful pictures. I highly enjoyed reading this book even though I have not previously enjoyed the Greek myths, but this book brought them out in a fun and insightful way.
I would reccomend this book to anyone who is just starting to learn about the myths. However, if already know about the major gods you probably don't want this one since it doesn't go very deep.
Rating:
Summary: Obliged to Read!
Review: My 5th grade teacher gave this book of myths to me as a present. Ever since I read the book and saw the illustrations, I have treasured this book. For a long time I then kept it safely locked in my cupboard. I never actually had time to look back again at the magnificent drawings and pictures. Now that I am in 8th grade though, I thought I might as well read the inspiring stories all over again and again I enjoyed it tremendously. For me, it is one of the most remarkable books ever written. It is not only enjoyable but a good learning experience as well. I have learned so much from reading just these few stories that I now know more about Greek mythology than my grandfather does. This book is almost like an encyclopedia only meant for myths and legends. I recommend this book for adolescents as well as adults. Children will be able to understand the stories very clearly once they get a hold of this book. In my opinion, the illustrations in this book were so vivid you could almost understand the stories without any text. In conclusion, I truly believe that D'Aulaire's Greek Book of Myths is one of greatest books ever written and illustrated. As the years go by, I will return to this book once again and read it all over again.
Rating:
Summary: Learning without trying
Review: My copy of this book is tattered and more than 20 years old -- I read it dozens of times as a child, traced the pictures, and generally worshipped this book, especially the colorful, loving art. When I got older, I learned I had actually ingested many of the tales and characters without even trying to, and the knowledge has been useful throughout my life. For people who say this book is too simplistic, or don't like the pictures, I think they were just looking for something like Bullfinch's -- which I find dry. And for the one reviewer who thought it was too complicated for kids as well as adults, well, I'm not sure what to say. I read it at the age of 7, and completely understood it. When I have children, this is the first book I'm getting them!
Rating:
Summary: I love this book.
Review: My parents bought me this book when I was a young child. I read the stories repeatedly and remember drawing many pictures incorporating the gods and heroes from the book. I told the myths to my cousins, and every time I would see them thereafter they begged me to tell them more stories. Now as a 27 year old academic who reads rather dry research-based literature on mythology that would bore most people to tears, I still love this book and it remains on my bookshelf, worn and with its cover falling off. I would recommend this book to anyone, regardless of age.
Rating:
Summary: Audio Book is captivating, enchanting and wonderful
Review: No need for a lot of words here, it is just excellent, and probably my favorite audio book ever. The talents of Broderick, Poiter, Newman and Turner simply inspire me. Enthralling, interesting, as well as addictive.
Rating:
Summary: This is the Basics.
Review: These stories hold my 6-year-old spellbound, as well as the rest of the family! Consider getting the audio version, though, read by Paul Neuman, Kathleen Turner, Matthew Broderick and Sidney Poitier. Talk about great listening! Their readings are fantastic. And you don't have to worry about properly pronouncing all those Greek names!
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