CHECK IT OUT:

In Ancient Greece, mythology was central to everyday life.

Mythology was a part of history and was used to explain everything from culture to natural disasters. In today’s world, mythology is often passed over. You might study some of the classic tales in school, but many people lose the opportunity to discover the many fascinations of Greek myths and legends.

So, how young is too young to become well-versed in classical mythology? With the plethora of fun, interesting children’s books addressing this subject there are a number of options for children today. Whether you’re interested in heroes, gods or monsters, Greek mythology offers something for everyone.

Both children and adults will enjoy the new series with Percy Jackson and the Olympians, beginning with “The Lightning Thief,” by Rick Riordan. Percy learns he is half-mortal/half-god — this explains some of the strange things that seem to happen to him. The book excellently combines classical Greek mythology with a contemporary, believable setting. There are plenty of mythological creatures and lots of action. This humorous series will teach you Greek mythology without you even knowing it.

“Medusa Jones,” by Ross Collins, tells the story of Medusa in middle school. Yes, she’s a Gorgon, but otherwise a normal girl who happens to have snakes for hair. Medusa is not friends with the “popular” crowd such as Perseus and Theseus, but when disaster strikes will she choose to be a hero…or a monster? Plentiful ink drawings will also draw in reluctant and early readers.

For a more traditional approach to mythology, try the “Ingri and Edgar Parin d’Aulaire’s Book of Greek Myths,” by Ingri D’Aulaire. This collection contains an introduction to all of the gods and goddesses of ancient Greece and all of the d’Aulaire’s original illustrations. Each spread contains a page summary of the person being chronicled with plenty of pictures to keep youngsters intrigued.

The eighth title in John Scieszka’s Time Warp Trio series, “It’s All Greek to Me,” takes kids on an adventure to Ancient Greece. Fred, Sam and Joe are all transported back in time to Mount Olympus while performing in a school play about Greece. While there, the boys learn many lessons, such as the fact that a cardboard lightning bolt doesn’t really help you much. The book also includes a glossary of gods, goddesses, and monsters.

Really bring Greek mythology to life by listening to a sound recording of the “Tales of the Greek Heroes” by Roger Green read by Edward Lewis. Legends, tales and great adventures including greats such as Jason and the Argonauts, Theseus, Perseus the Gorgon-slayer and many more are shared in this retelling.

In “Pandora Gets Jealous” by Carolyn Hennesy, Pandora (Pandy, for short) discovers that you can be too curious for your own good. What harm can a simple box do? When seven kinds of evil and misery are accidentally let out, Pandy has to collect all the evils before the world is ruined forever, and before she becomes the most hated maiden in Athens. Zeus gives her six months to remedy the damage she has done, starting with jealousy.

Come visit the Newport Beach Public Library today to start your child’s mythological adventures.

CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public Library. All titles may be reserved from home or office computers by accessing the catalog at www.newportbeachlibrary.org.