Books by genre
Top 10 books about Greek myths for kids
Greek myths are the usual starting point for mythology. Some retellings are picture-book friendly; others, like Edith Hamilton, are for strong readers. Original myths include violence and family cruelty, so most children's versions edit them. Pick by how much your child can handle.
Titles were chosen from award winners, ALSC notable lists and long-running library favorites, then each title and author was checked against Open Library in Oct 2026. Checked 2026-10-25. Nobody paid to be here. The buy links are plain search links, not affiliate links, so Peabody earns nothing from them.
D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths
Ingri d'Aulaire and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire · Ages 6-12
The standard children's introduction: lithographs and short retellings of the main gods and heroes. Good for reading aloud.
Watch for: Some myths are shortened or softened.
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Percy Jackson's Greek Gods
Rick Riordan · Ages 9-13
Percy retells the myths in a sarcastic voice with illustrations. Funny; the family drama stays in.
Watch for: Includes violence and betrayal between gods.
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Treasury of Greek Mythology
Donna Jo Napoli · Ages 8-12
A National Geographic collection of gods, heroes and monsters with large illustrations by Christina Balit.
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Atticus the Storyteller's 100 Greek Myths
Lucy Coats · Ages 7-11
One hundred short myths, each a few pages. Easy to dip into.
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Tales of the Greek Heroes
Roger Lancelyn Green · Ages 9-13
Perseus, Theseus, Hercules, Jason and the rest, told in order. Older prose, careful on content.
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Black Ships Before Troy
Rosemary Sutcliff · Ages 10-15
The story of the Trojan War, with Kinuko Y. Craft's illustrations. Strong prose and fewer details of brutality than the original.
Watch for: War deaths.
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The Wanderings of Odysseus
Rosemary Sutcliff · Ages 10-14
Odysseus's ten-year journey home, retold as a continuous tale.
Watch for: Monsters and killing.
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Heroes, Gods and Monsters of the Greek Myths
Bernard Evslin · Ages 10-14
Brisk, funny retellings, including Medusa and the Minotaur.
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The Children's Homer
Padraic Colum · Ages 10-14
The Iliad and the Odyssey retold for young readers, with illustrations by Willy Pogany.
Watch for: War deaths.
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Mythology
Edith Hamilton · Ages 12+
The classic prose retelling of Greek, Roman and Norse myths. Dense and best for strong readers or high school.
Watch for: Includes violence and mature relationships.
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