D'Aulaire's Greek Myths

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  • January 29, 2014 at 6:36 pm
    JenniferM
    Participant

    Hello,

    Has anyone else read D’Aulaire’s Greek Myths to their children?  I have seen it scheduled for 2nd grade and for 3rd grade various places, but I have a few concerns as I have been reading this book aloud to my 3rd grader.

    First of all, she knows Bible history very well and is quite grounded in her Christian perspective.  I am not concerned that she may believe the Greek myths as Truth.  She knows they are stories.  

    Secondly, we have read some mythical stories previously and enjoyed them much like we would a fairy tale.  We have expecially like some of the well written picture books of myths and fairy tales by authors/illustrators such as Zelinsky or Craft.  These are truly beautifully written and illustrated.

    D’aulaire’s biographies have held a special place in our home, but I am finding that the Greek Myths book is leaving a bad taste in my mouth.  Even my daughter muttered that a particular part was “scary” and she is not easily fearful. I do want her to have an elementary background of myths, but I am hesitant about continuing with this book.  

    Opinions?  Advice?  Other book suggestions?    Thanks!

    January 29, 2014 at 7:20 pm
    eawerner
    Participant

    I was planning on using that for DD7 as she was doing module 2 this year.  We ended up reading many of the myths in nice picture books though.  Greek Myths isn’t bad… just… too much in places?  Probaby the same as you feel about it. 

    We ended up liking the Jim Weiss audio stories quite a bit. Even the stories or parts that would usually be too intense were fine with the way he does storytelling. We found all three at our library and the kids listened to them strait through! Plus he talks about common sayings like ‘the midas touch’ before or after the story, which is one of the reasons we want our kids to hear the myths to begin with.

    Greek Myths
    She and He: Adventures in Mythology
    Heroes in Mythology

    For picture book ideas, if you go to the Truthquest site, their free sample of Greece is the mythology section, so I pulled quite a few books from that list. It was so helpful and really saved our year with Greece! I’m actually going with TQ Rome for next year, in large part, because of it.

    Hope that helps. 🙂

     

    January 29, 2014 at 7:32 pm
    erin.kate
    Participant

    I was using it this year as a read aloud for my 10 and 7 year olds, but I do have 6 and 5 year olds listening in … I abandoned it. While they are all grounded in Jesus and that is not truly an issue, on some level it is an issue for me. I felt they were inundated with too much false teaching. Also, things like Zeus having many children from many godesses and nymphs brought up questions of infidelity from my girls … and things like some of the godesses having no need for or time for a husband. I don’t know. We adore D’Aulaire, but somehow this was uncomfortable to me and too dark. We are enjoying A Wonder Book and Heroes.

    January 29, 2014 at 7:39 pm
    JenniferM
    Participant

    Thank you, eawerner and erin.kate!  I am checking my library system now for some of those titles!

    It sounds like you both have the perspective I had with the D’aulaire book.  Perhaps it is just a bit over the top in some areas.  I also think the illustrations are somewhat alarming!

    Thanks!

    Jennifer

    (I cringed when I reread my original post and could not edit my spelling error – “especially” – Yikes!  Yes, I am qualified to teach my children!!)

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