[R/A fiction about New Zealand and Pacific Islands]

I don't know what "R/A" means, but if you're looking for local myths and legends, there are a bunch of out-of-print books written and published by a guy named A.W. Reed. He covers folklore from what is now New Zealand, Australian and Oceania/Polynesia.

[Greek Myths take 2: NOT D'Aulaire!]

Another possibility might be Gods, Men and Monsters from the Greek Myths from the World Mythology Series, by Michael Gibson, illustrated by Giovanni Caselli. It was published in the 1980s, I believe, and it's out-of-print, but the illustrations are excellent, and I believe it covers all the fundamentals.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Monsters-Greek-Introduction-Stories-Goddesses/dp/B001A3PMB8/

[How much of a "Tiger Mom" are you?]

I read Head of the Class, and I saw a lot of our family culture in it.

 

I'm curious: What is this Head of the Class book or magazine article that you mention? I'm intrigued.