Ancient Greek mythology offers timeless stories full of adventure, and picture books are a fantastic way to bring these tales to life for young readers. They help students connect with legendary heroes, gods, and mythical creatures, making history both fun and accessible.

As a 3rd grade teacher, I know how valuable it is to find resources that make complex concepts like mythology relatable and engaging, especially for curious young minds.

These picture books are excellent tools to support your students’ understanding of Greek myths, whether they’re discovering these stories for the first time or learning more about the ancient world.

The List of Ancient Greek Myth Picture Books for Kids

King Midas and the Golden Touch

In King Midas and the Golden Touch, King Midas is granted a wish by a mysterious stranger, asking that everything he touches turns to gold. At first, Midas is thrilled with his newfound power, but he soon realizes the curse of his wish when even food and his beloved daughter are turned to gold. Midas begs for the spell to be reversed, learning a valuable lesson about greed and appreciating what truly matters.

This beautifully illustrated retelling of King Midas’ story captivates young readers with its mix of magic and moral lessons. The story’s simple language makes it easy for children to understand, while the vibrant artwork brings the ancient tale to life. King Midas’ transformation from greedy to grateful is a powerful message about the dangers of wanting too much. It’s a great story for sparking conversations about values like contentment and the importance of family.

Suggested Use in an Ancient Greece Lesson:

After reading King Midas and the Golden Touch, introduce the concept of wants vs. needs. Discuss how King Midas wanted gold but realized he didn’t need it to be happy. Connect this idea to economics by talking about the difference between things we want (like toys or fancy clothes) and things we need (like food, water, and family). Then, have students make a simple chart with two columns—“Wants” and “Needs”—and fill in examples from their own lives. This helps reinforce the lesson that not all “wants” are necessary, just like King Midas’ desire for gold.

Click HERE to check it out.

The Hero and the Minotaur

The Hero and the Minotaur is about Theseus, a brave prince from Athens, who travels to Crete to stop the scary Minotaur, a creature that’s half-man, half-bull. The Minotaur lives in a confusing maze, and Theseus gets help from Princess Ariadne, who gives him a ball of thread to find his way out. He beats the Minotaur and frees the prisoners, but forgets to change his ship’s sails, leading to a sad ending for his father.

This retelling of Theseus’ adventure is fun and easy to follow. The story has plenty of action, and the pictures help bring it to life. Kids will love the excitement of the maze and the clever way Theseus defeats the Minotaur. It also teaches about bravery and teamwork. There’s a little sadness at the end, but it’s a great way to introduce kids to Greek myths without it being too complicated.

Suggested Use in an Ancient Greece Lesson:
After reading The Hero and the Minotaur, have students discuss what makes Theseus a hero by listing traits like bravery and cleverness. Then, connect the story to Ancient Greece by showing a map, pointing out Athens and Crete. Explain Theseus’ journey across the Aegean Sea to Crete, and ask students to imagine how heroic it was to travel such a distance in ancient times. Follow up with an activity where students label a map of Greece, highlighting Theseus’ route, and discuss how geography played a role in his adventure.

Check it out HERE.

Greek Myths

Greek Myths by DK is packed with awesome illustrations and classic Greek tales—from heroes like Hercules to scary monsters like Medusa and the mighty gods like Zeus. It’s a great way to introduce students to the myths that shaped Ancient Greece and are still famous today.

This book is a fantastic pick for teaching kids about Greek mythology. The stories are short and packed with action, and the artwork really grabs students’ attention. Since the book is pretty long, it works best when read one story at a time instead of all at once. Each chapter is self-contained, so you can dip into different myths that fit each lesson without overloading them.

Suggested Use in an Ancient Greece Lesson:

Kick off each lesson with a chapter from Greek Myths. Just read one story at the start, picking ones that tie into your theme for the day—like gods if you’re talking about religion or heroes to discuss values. The format makes it easy to spread the stories out over time, giving students something fresh with each lesson while helping them connect the myths to the broader topics you’re covering.

Click HERE to check it out.

Need A Resource on Ancient Greece?

In addition to these Ancient Greek myths for kids, I have a variety of resources available to help you teach and review Ancient Greece. Whether you’re looking for worksheets, activities, or interactive lessons, I’ve got tools designed to make learning about this fascinating period both engaging and educational. These resources are perfect for reinforcing key concepts and bringing the world of Ancient Greece to life in your classroom!

• Ancient Greece for Google Classroom
• Ancient Greece Interactive Notebook
• Ancient Greece PBL
• Ancient Greece Review Game

I hope this list of Ancient Greek myths for kids brings excitement and curiosity to your classroom as you explore Ancient Greece. Teaching kids about ancient myths and history can be challenging, but with these engaging stories, we can make the past come alive in a fun and memorable way.

I also have a blog post all about crafts to learn about Ancient Greece HERE.

If you have any favorite books or activities for teaching Ancient Greece, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments! Let’s keep supporting one another as we inspire our students to delve into the wonders of ancient civilizations. We’ve got this!

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