Melissa in St Louis Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 Am I failing the facilitation of ancient Greek study if I don't make my son read this? He will read ANYTHING from encyclopedias to cookbooks, Dr Seuss to CS Lewis, but he does not like this book....do I push it?:confused: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sara K Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 If you have the beautifully illustrated version (verses the cheap paperback dimestore version) just leave it on the shelf for a while, he will likely be drawn to the illustrations after a while.....when the time is right If not - don't worry. He will have plenty of wonderful reading ahead of him. I don't believe for one second that one book makes or breaks an education. Just MHO Sara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yslek Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 I love the illustrated version, too, but there are other quality children's versions of Homer's works. We've enjoyed this: http://www.amazon.com/Childrens-Homer-Adventures-Odysseus-Tale/dp/0689868839/ref=pd_sim_b_5 And B & T used to listen to this all the time: http://www.amazon.com/Odyssey-Telling-Bodkin-Musical-Collection/dp/1882412184/ref=ed_oe_a (I see it's not in print anymore, and the used versions are pricey. You could check to see if your library has it.) I don't think we've read this one, but we have read something else (that we liked:)) by the same author: http://www.amazon.com/Tale-Troy-Ancient-Authors-Classics/dp/0140367454/ref=pd_sim_b_2 HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 Advice from a friend when I asked about books: It's the right book at the right time. It might not be his time. It might be a bit hard for his reading level. Have you tried reading it aloud to him? Or he might just plain not like history. Not everyone does you know. (I don't.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 How about trying another version of the story, by another author? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in St Louis Posted September 24, 2009 Author Share Posted September 24, 2009 It is the illustrations that have turned him off from it. I didn't realize there was an unillustrated version, I KNOW that if I left that around it would be enjoyed. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sara K Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 Amazon probably has it. We didn't like them at all so I'll be selling mine once I get around to it. I can look up the ISBN if you'd like. We have both the Black Ships and the second one (or is it the first one) and I ordered it thinking it was the illustrated ones but it was the small paperback version Sara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in St Louis Posted September 24, 2009 Author Share Posted September 24, 2009 (edited) Great suggestions, Kelcy! Thanks! Edited September 24, 2009 by Melissa in St Louis Moron can't post from phone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calm37 Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 Yes, some of the Alan Lee illustrations can be disturbing to younger children. They are beautiful, but very explicit with gore and ghosts, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in St Louis Posted September 25, 2009 Author Share Posted September 25, 2009 Yes, some of the Alan Lee illustrations can be disturbing to younger children. They are beautiful, but very explicit with gore and ghosts, etc. :iagree: Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brenda in FL Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 (edited) I didn't have my son read this version until the logic stage. I would use Mary Pope Osbourne's series, Tales from the Odyssey, for that age. My 8 yo dd enjoyed those last year. Or if you prefer a read aloud, the one recommended in TWTM for grammar, ancients was good - Geraldine McCaughrean, I think - It's not illustrated, but it was a success for my then 4 yo and 6 yo. Whatever you do - You shouldn't skip these stories in the grammar age. (Well, unless they are very upsetting to your child . . .) Edited September 25, 2009 by Brenda in FL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brenda in FL Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 It is the illustrations that have turned him off from it. I didn't realize there was an unillustrated version, I KNOW that if I left that around it would be enjoyed. Thanks! The illustrations are why I avoided this book our first time thru ancients with young kids around! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovedtodeath Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 (edited) I had to start many books about the Iliad and stop them due to gore and morbidity. I have settled on The Trojan Horse by Emily Little and adapted parts of Tales of Troy: Ulysses the Sacker of Cities (they are in the book at the link). Now I am struggling with The Odyssey. I am thinking a one or two of the Mary Pope Osborn books and more selections from Tales of Troy. My little girl is very bright and loves Ancient History, but she also has a vivid imagination and lots of nightmares (and is just now starting to sleep in her own bed)! Edited September 26, 2009 by Lovedtodeath Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plimsoll Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 My son didn't read this until he was nine. It uses language extremely well and in a more sophisticated manner than he may be used to yet. My son read this after reading the Mary Pope Osborne Odyssey books the year before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted September 26, 2009 Share Posted September 26, 2009 I understand. I don't like the illustrations in Usborne's version of the Iliad or Odyssey. at. all. It can make or break a story for you when very strong illustration work is just not in a style you enjoy. My older son got to the point by eighth/ninth grades that he wouldn't read certain type styles, either, LOL! I find that I'm getting finicky about type styles, too.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovedtodeath Posted September 26, 2009 Share Posted September 26, 2009 I have heard that there are two different illustrated versions, one better than the other. Do you know which version ya'll had trouble with? I read the one illustrated by Alan Lee... DD liked the pictures that she saw. I decided not to read the rest to her when I got to the morbid parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted September 26, 2009 Share Posted September 26, 2009 Black Ships would have been too much for my 7yo (and he is generally extremely advanced). I had him read aloud to me the Mary Pope Osborne series of the Odyssey. You could read it aloud as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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