Greek Myths for Kids: Ulysses and the Trojan War
Review of a Great Value Usborne Illustrated Book for Children
Sep 5, 2008
The stories of the Trojan War and Odysseus’ subsequent adventures on his return home after the war are world-renowned. Greek Myths – Ulysses and the Trojan War (Usborne 3003, ISBN 0 7460 5769 5)is a mighty text in Usborne’s Little Book Series and chronicles these ancient tales.
The retellings have been considered here from the viewpoint of Ulysses (Odysseus) in the second of the two adventures, but also, unusually for ancient mythology, details the thoughts and feelings of the women involved in the Trojan War as well as the fighting men. This makes this book of Greek myths for children appealing to girls, as well as boys.
Accessible Language for Modern Young Readers
Both tales are retold in everyday vocabulary. That is not to say that the language, or the underlying themes, has been simplified. Far from it. If anything, it displays the legends and adventures whilst also detailing the human feelings, tribulations and human consequences of actions taken in war.
Empathy for characters is created through well-chosen words and, particularly in Ulysses, frequent use of the first person viewpoint helps children empathise with the protagonist.
It is recommended that children of eight and above read this book. In fact, the older the child, the more understanding of the underlying themes of love, loss and human suffering will be gained. The superb writing, therefore, has given this book a multi-layered feel.
Emotive and Thought-Provoking Illustrations
Readers of this book of Greek myths for children can gain an insight into the Ancient Greek world through the detailed illustrations by Jeff Anderson. Presented as a mixture of full page colour and smaller but more frequent black and white pencil drawings, they are certainly emotive. The style is suggestive of romance literature – the men are rugged and the women are wistful – but the illustrator does not shy away from the realities of war or the danger of battle.
Most importantly, the expressions of the characters during their relative actions suggest that these are not just great adventure stories, but involve human anguish, human cost, and priceless moments of happiness. Again, it is something that a slightly older reader would be able to discuss in more detail.
Historical and Mythological Extras
All well-organised Greek myth retellings contain a glossary of characters to aid the modern reader, and Usborne has ensured this is included here. The characters and a related description is placed at the rear of the book, Usborne has taken this a step further for their young readership, too, and included a map of Ancient Greece, containing many of the places – both real and mythical – mentioned in the two stories, in order for children to contextualise the geography of these vast tales.
Useful, also, is the inclusion of a potted explanation of Homer and the mysteries that surround his writing, as well as the legends on which both Homer’s and these two retellings are based. Hopefully, this would encourage further into this wonderful ancient historical time and the literature available from this period. After all, ancient works always inform more modern ones.
For children interested in Greek myths, of just an incredible narrative adventure story, then Greek Myths – Ulysses and the Trojan War is a perfect book to instil a lifelong fascination with storytelling into competent readers and would make an ideal companion book for students of Ancient History, Classical Civilization or similar subjects. Adults, too, would find this an entertaining read, since it contains, arguably, two of the greatest stories ever written. It is highly recommended.
 |
