- thorough telling of the Greek gods’ history and how they believed the world came to exist
- convo: mentions the following: men worshiping idols and gods, Mother Earth, a god eating his children (they’re saved later), various fantastical creatures, wine, various murders, miscellaneous acts of violence, going & coming from Hades, jealousy, kidnappings, witches, and magic
- illustrations convo: one nude man seen from the side with his front covered
- language: x7 ass (donkey), stupid
- amazing illustrations also include: a unique map & unpublished art from their original sketchbooks
Type: oversized chapter book with illustrations
Ages: 9+
Authors: Edgar Parin and Ingri d’Aulaire
This is THE classic as far as children’s books on Greek myths go. Though many have been written and compiled since, none show the effort and quality of the d’Aulaires’ version. It doesn’t shy away from the darker parts, though, so I recommend seeking out a simpler and lighter version for younger ages.
It always amazes me how various cultures/people groups try to explain away biblical history in their own pagan way. Very cleverly, the Greeks have detailed stories [incorrectly] describing how men were created, why dolphins are smart, how a huge flood [to kill all mankind] occurred, etc.
Should Christians study these pagan classics? Absolutely. We see these stories as myths and legends, but at one point, the gods were actually worshipped by the majority in different cultures. This history overlapped with the New Testament times and knowing more of it helps our contextual understanding of various situations. Indeed, there are many more reasons easily found at your googling fingertips.
There is a lengthy afterword that shows just how much time and effort went into any of this couple’s books. Quite impressive! I’ll end with a quote from the afterword:
“[This book] is a cornucopia of beautiful art and exquisitely told tales that will live on our shelves and in our imaginations for many years to come.”
Happy reading!