TraceyS/FL Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 We have done almost no stories on CD. Not that I'm against them (I'm not). We just haven't. This one seems very imaginative. Thank you for the recommendation! Most of ours have been in the car - we live "an hour" from just about everything we do :auto: Time to get back in the habit of listening to them in there, since i have a bunch coming from the library too. But they have also been listening to some at lunch time by choice, hence i'm loading up my iPod for them to use then too instead of carting the laptop around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicole M Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 I haven't read McCaughrean's. The only version reasonably priced when I was shopping around was a cheap paperback. There is: naked dancing, drinking, eunuchs, harems, implied sexual acts (subtle enough that young children probably won't pick them up), infidelity, farting (major plot point in one story), a dismembered corpse sewn back together, and yes a fair bit of violence. It's written in high Victorian style as an accessible approximation of rhythm and manner of the original, and the author acknowledges that some people will object to this. Versions do exist without these things, but I would suggest that it's better to wait if you find these things objectionable rather than to read something completely sanitized. Lang is similar to Alderson, though I don't recall as much implied sexual content. It might be the better choice for a child wanting more blood and less romance. For youngers needing pictures, Alderson with its gorgeous watercolours is a better choice than Lang. He'll like it, then, as long as there isn't too much actual love. Mating, who cares. But love. Blech. Bill, have you seen the Ludmilla Zeman's three volume picture book version of Sindbad? These are not to be missed. She also has a three volume Gilgamesh. I'll just butt in here and mention that my boys loved the Gilgamesh series. They still get it out sometimes, to look at the pictures. I didn't realize she had a Sinbad series, too. Thanks, Moira. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 Switch to the barbarians: Siegfried (German), norse myths, Sundiata (real guy in history), Kalevala (Finnish), or Russian tales...or Turkish...or Chinese. Do you have an treasures to recommend that combine fine writing and great illustrations? Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 Bill, have you seen the Ludmilla Zeman's three volume picture book version of Sindbad? These are not to be missed. She also has a three volume Gilgamesh. No I haven't see those. I did read him her Gilgamesh series, although there is no way he will remember (as he was barely verbal at the time :tongue_smilie:). Tell me I'm not the only one whose read stories to infants that they can't possibly understand (or can they? :D) Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicole M Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 Do you have an treasures to recommend that combine fine writing and great illustrations? Bill For the Kalevala, see if you can find Louhi, Witch of North Farm: http://www.amazon.com/Louhi-Witch-North-Farm-Finlands/dp/0140505296/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243290503&sr=1-1 (She was having a witch-witch-witchy kind of day and gets into all kinds of mischief.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 (edited) Bill, have you seen the Ludmilla Zeman's three volume picture book version of Sindbad? These are not to be missed. She also has a three volume Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh is even better, and if you like these, you'll like http://www.amazon.com/Lugalbanda-Caught-Ancient-Aesop-Awards/dp/0763627828 It is about Gilgamesh's father. Boy, are we tearing up the pea-patch on this thread! Edited May 25, 2009 by kalanamak Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovedtodeath Posted May 25, 2009 Author Share Posted May 25, 2009 We loved Lugalbanda. Mesopotamia is my favorite so far though, so I figured I was biased. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildflower Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 we are reading BSBT even though we are only working on pre-school at the moment. DD1 loves it & DD@ sits enamoured- it has a nice rhythm to it. We will read it again when she is in 1st grade. I just happened to read through book one of Mary Pope Osborns series (I'd have to look up the name for you). It was an interesting read, but the cyclops chapter was a bit gory for a young child (I found the book in our 'tween' section). If you left that chapter out, it may be worthwhile also. HTH. Robyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 I just happened to read through book one of Mary Pope Osborns series (I'd have to look up the name for you). It was an interesting read, but the cyclops chapter was a bit gory for a young child (I found the book in our 'tween' section). If you left that chapter out, it may be worthwhile alsoDepends on the young child. Mine not only revel in such gore, they act it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 No I haven't see those. I did read him her Gilgamesh series, although there is no way he will remember (as he was barely verbal at the time :tongue_smilie:). Tell me I'm not the only one whose read stories to infants that they can't possibly understand (or can they? :D) Nope. I read "Sinbad the Sailor" the first time through with my son lying on top of me, and he liked it! ;) I think whatever's interesting to you and your kids, works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yvonne Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 My boys poured over this book when we read the Iliad & Odyssey. Can't get enough of those warrior pictures! :) The Ancient Greece of Odysseus 0199105324 http://tinyurl.com/r82rr9 yvonne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovedtodeath Posted May 26, 2009 Author Share Posted May 26, 2009 My boys poured over this book when we read the Iliad & Odyssey. Can't get enough of those warrior pictures! :) The Ancient Greece of Odysseus 0199105324 http://tinyurl.com/r82rr9 yvonne This looks right up our alley. Thanks! Tell me I'm not the only one whose read stories to infants that they can't possibly understand (or can they? :D) DD has had Star Wars novels read to her as she fell asleep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovedtodeath Posted May 26, 2009 Author Share Posted May 26, 2009 The Aeneid for Boys and Girls I am checking this one out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovedtodeath Posted May 26, 2009 Author Share Posted May 26, 2009 Voices of the Trojan War - Kate Hovey 117 pp. This looks great! Poems written by characters in the Iliad. I am not sure about the age range though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovedtodeath Posted May 30, 2009 Author Share Posted May 30, 2009 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0751359025/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&seller= DK EyeWitness Reader The Trojan Horse: The World's Greatest Adventure I am ordering this one. The samples show a lot of pictures and information. You can get a used paperback really cheap, or a new hardcover for under $10. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted May 30, 2009 Share Posted May 30, 2009 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0751359025/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&seller= DK EyeWitness Reader The Trojan Horse: The World's Greatest Adventure I can recite this one, we read it so much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovedtodeath Posted May 31, 2009 Author Share Posted May 31, 2009 I am glad to hear a good review. I had trouble finding it on Amazon. They have it listed under 3 different names and a picture on only one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovedtodeath Posted June 19, 2009 Author Share Posted June 19, 2009 Update: I started reading BSBT to DD today. Why was I avoiding this one? :001_huh: It is wonderful! The story and style are engaging. DD enjoyed it and the pictures are a wonderful addition to the book. I am now considering Sutcliff for the Aenid. I have Geralding McCaughren for The Odyssey and I plan to get Mary Pope Osborn's to compare before deciding which one to read to DD. I hated the DK reader. The extras are interesting, but DD and I have ADD and it was way to busy for me to focus on reading it. I don't know if children without ADD will have that problem, but I sure do. I am keeping it as a good resource but just reading it through doesn't work around here. I really liked The Trojan Horse; How the Greeks Won the War by Emily Little. It was a good shorter choice for the Iliad story and I finally understand where the different kings came from.:tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 I started reading BSBT to DD today. Why was I avoiding this one? :001_huh: It is wonderful! The story and style are engaging. DD enjoyed it and the pictures are a wonderful addition to the book. I am now considering Sutcliff for the Aenid. Unless you know something I don't there is a Sutcliff follow up for the Odyssey (The Wanderings of Odysseus) but the Aeneid in this series is by Penelope Lively (In Search of a Homeland). We actually finished "the Aeneid" last night. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovedtodeath Posted June 19, 2009 Author Share Posted June 19, 2009 Just another note about the Aeneid: the Church version was disappointing all around. The Yesterday's Classics version that I ordered did not have any of the pictures that were on mainlesson and bragged about on Amazon, and within the first 3 pages or so there is very graphic violence (beheadings in front of family members and mistreatment of dead bodies). That doesn't need to be in the grammar stage IMO. My DD would have nightmares. Unless you know something I don't there is a Sutcliff follow up for the Odyssey (The Wanderings of Odysseus) but the Aeneid in this series is by Penelope Lively (In Search of a Homeland). We actually finished "the Aeneid" last night. Bill Oh. Apparently you know something I don't. Well I didn't want to do three books from the same series in a row. I was trying to avoid 2. Okay. So I am thinking of Penelope Lively for the Aeneid. (I knew I mispelled it,;) but I don't take time to edit when Naking.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 Just another note about the Aeneid: the Church version was disappointing all around. The Yesterday's Classics version that I ordered did not have any of the pictures that were on mainlesson and bragged about on Amazon, and within the first 3 pages or so there is very graphic violence (beheadings in front of family members and mistreatment of dead bodies). That doesn't need to be in the grammar stage IMO. My DD would have nightmares. Oh. Apparently you know something I don't. Well I didn't want to do three books from the same series in a row. I was trying to avoid 2. Okay. So I am thinking of Penelope Lively for the Aeneid. (I knew I mispelled it,;) but I don't take time to edit when Naking.) I would do the Wanderings of Odysseus over the "Aeneid" any day. It's a better story. Gets away from constant battles. And is rich in cultural touch-stones. Go with #2. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovedtodeath Posted June 19, 2009 Author Share Posted June 19, 2009 Thanks for your input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hathersage Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 We actually finished "the Aeneid" last night. Bill So, Bill what is up next? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 So, Bill what is up next? I think we will "tap-dance" by finishing up Alice Low's book on greek Gods and Heroes (I like this one very much). But I'd really like to move to the founding of Rome. And the Roman Empire. And maybe the Punic Wars? Any suggestions for an almost 5 year old (who's NOT sensitive)? Bill :bigear: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovedtodeath Posted June 19, 2009 Author Share Posted June 19, 2009 I had a hard time finding anything about Carthage. Roman Myths by McCaughrean? The Story of Rome from Usborne? Hannibal horrible histories? Tanglewood Tales (draws together Phoenicia and Greece through myth)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovedtodeath Posted June 19, 2009 Author Share Posted June 19, 2009 Quick viewpoint question for y'all: I feel like one of the things to take away from studying ancient Greece is to retain information about the Greek Gods. To that end I have that information repeated in my lessons in different ways and one book read through twice. Do you see a problem with this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hathersage Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 Go Norse, young man, go Norse! (LOL) Seriously, there are a lot of scandanavian/finnish/german myth cycles. Sigurd, the Kalevala, the Eddas. D'Aulaire has a book of Norse myths, too, full of creepy-looking trolls. Celtic myths next, which connects up to the Arthur cycle. There is a kids' version of Dante, retold by a priest, but I can't find the title right now. Found it on Amazon, tho'. Was this it? Dante's Divine Comedy: As Told for Young People http://www.amazon.com/Dantes-Divine-Comedy-Young-People/dp/1881901297/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245450781&sr=1-2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 And maybe the Punic Wars? Any suggestions for an almost 5 year old (who's NOT sensitive)? It's not Horrible, but it is Wicked: Hannibal: Rome's Worst Nightmare. You can get a feel for the book using the surprise me feature (at least one head is tossed back onto the battlefield). We used Mary MacGregor's The Story of Rome (via Lively Latin) for the Hannibal, but I would have preferred something a bit more gory. He might enjoy a few of the Rome related Horrible "Dead Famous" books -- Spartacus, Julius Caesar and Cleopatra. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovedtodeath Posted June 20, 2009 Author Share Posted June 20, 2009 Thanks Moira. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovedtodeath Posted June 20, 2009 Author Share Posted June 20, 2009 Bill, have you considered the Gilgamesh trilogy? Tales of Ancient Egypt is very good, though there is a good mix of stories that aren't very gruesome, and a couple of girlie ones as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovedtodeath Posted June 21, 2009 Author Share Posted June 21, 2009 (edited) Black Ships Before Troy proved to be too violent and morbid (for us). I found it! My favorite. http://www.amazon.com/Tales-Troy-Ulysses-Sacker-Cities/dp/1419150723 I love this one. I am about half way through. It is a nice shorter book for younger ones, yet includes important details like the luck of Troy and Achilles heel. Edited June 21, 2009 by Lovedtodeath Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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