6 awesome retellings of Greek myths

As a child my love of Greek myth was inspired by films. Jason and the Argonauts (1963) and Clash of the Titans (1981), always seemed to be on TV, and my dad videoed them for me, so I watched them many, many times. These eerie, supernatural images have lived in my head ever since, and made me the Greek mythology geek I am today.

It’s no accident that my new novel The Othernauts retells the story of Jason and the Argonauts, only with an eleven-year-old girl stowing onboard – it’s basically me finally fulfilling my childhood dream of joining the legendary quest. 

As a professional bookworm though, when I became a mother I wanted to introduce my children to Greek myths through words, not screens. Greek mythology comes down to us through literature. I love the idea that these stories, passed down orally over thousands of years, still speak to us today about what it is to be human. I love the idea that an ancient Greek mum also told these tales to her kids, whilst they sipped a glass of sheep’s milk. 

Here are some of the retold Greek myths we have enjoyed the most. There are quite a few novels for children that put Greek Gods in a contemporary setting (Percy Jackson, Who Let the Gods Out, Tiny Hercules, etc) but this is specifically a list of retellings. 

Six books that will open up a literary portal to ancient Greece, and create a new generation of mythology lovers… 

This was a family favourite. The tales are just the right length to read in one sitting at bedtime, and perfectly pitched for children without patronising or straying too far from the originals. What stories they are! A selection of the most thrilling, heroic quests. ​‘The Minotaur’, ​‘Bellerophon and Pegasus’, ​‘Perseus and the Gorgon’ and ​‘The Twelve Tasks of Hercules’ are all absolute bangers. 

Another anthology worth including as it features some under-told tales with interesting moral lessons such as ​‘Pandora’s Box’, ​‘King Midas’, ​‘Echo and Narcissus’ and ​‘Daedalus and Icarus’. A very well-curated selection, perfect for prompting discussion. 

Demon is the son of the god Pan. He gets a job as beast keeper on Mount Olympus, where he must deal with hydras, griffins, dragons, Zeus’ eagle, Cerberus, the Cattle of the Sun, and numerous other mythical beasts. This is a really charming series for younger readers, with an attention to detail and world-building that suggests Coats knows her mythology. 

I’m currently reading The Cyclops and the Worst Party Ever to my 9‑year-old daughter, and she’s having a lot of fun with it. Another great introduction to myth for younger readers, the monster’s point of view is really refreshing and makes children think about who gets to tell stories and be a ​‘hero’. The next book is going to tell the minotaur’s side of the story. 

This graphic novel retelling of the Odyssey is excellent. It’s not specifically aimed at children, so there is some violence, and Odysseus is a bit of an anti-hero to say the least (spoiler: all his crew die except him) but if you want your children to engage with this incredible ancient poem this is a well-paced, skilful retelling that I really enjoyed sharing with mine at bedtime. 

Again, these graphic novels are for all ages, so there is some sex and violence, though nothing explicit – if you’re unsure perhaps don’t start with book one where Kronos eats his own children. However, my 12-year-old son absolutely devoured these stylish, thrilling graphic novels. Each one focuses on a different god, and weaves through some of the best-known stories associated with them – for example, Aphrodite tells us the tale of Pygmalion and the judgement of Paris. 

The Othernauts by Clare Pollard is out now.