Most sources describe her as the daughter of phorcys and ceto, although the author hyginus makes her the daughter of gorgon and ceto. He was, alongside cadmus and bellerophon, the greatest greek hero and slayer of monsters before the days of heracles. She was usually represented as a winged female creature having a head of hair consisting of snakes. Niz author see all 3 formats and editions hide other formats and editions.
Her name and aspects of her character are derived from greek mythology as her hair has prehensile attributes like that of medusa the gorgons hair. Like hercules, his father was the mighty zeus, king of all the gods. The monsters of mythology book series by bernard evslin includes books cerberus, hecate, medusa, and several more. Medusas children by bob shaw meet your next favorite book. The graphic novel details his assistance from the nymphs and hermes, perseus trickery with the gray witches to gain medusas address, and his ultimate fight with medusa. Folktales, fairy tales and myths start with a book. A beautiful mortal, medusa was the exception in the family, until she incurred the wrath of athena, either due to her boastfulness or because of an illfated love affair with poseidon.
They would put small medusa heads on buildings and doors as a way to try to keep scary things away. Jan 19, 2020 perseus and medusa greek mythology stories perseus, in greek mythology, the slayer of the gorgon medusa and the rescuer of andromeda from a sea monster. Many kids are fascinated by fairy tales, folktales, tall tales, myths, ghost stories, and pourquoi stories from around the world. Medusas and outback minotaurs why myth is big in childrens books. But as will be the case with many of my generation, the most. Since its original publication by little, brown and company in 1942, edith hamiltons mythology has sold millions of copies throughout the world and established itself as a perennial bestseller. One of a trio of gorgon sisters, medusa was the only sister who was not immortal. Supernatural fiction mythology novels for kids and teens my writing and reading life september 18, 2018. Medusa lived in the city of athens in a country named greece and although there were many pretty girls in the city, medusa was considered the most lovely. Sep 01, 2004 medusa world mythology library binding september 1, 2004 by xavier w. See the complete monsters of mythology series book list in order, box sets or omnibus editions, and companion titles. Annabeths mother, athena, has distinctive grey eyes, and medusa hates athena.
According to legend, anyone who looked directly at medusa would turn to stone. The legends of ancient greece, rome and the norse and celtic worlds. The book of northern myths english colum, padraic, 18811972 viking tales hall, jennie, 18751921 fairy tales of the slav peasants and herdsmen english chodzko, alexander, 18041891. In greek mythology, medusa also called gorgo, was one of the three monstrous gorgons, generally described as winged human females with living venomous snakes in place of hair.
In ancient greek mythology, medusa is the most famous of three monstrous. Known for her beauty, particularly her flowing hair, medusa once served in the temple of the goddess athena. As a general rule we do not censor any content on the site. His mother was a mortal, a lovely princess of the greek citystate of argos. Wearing a helmet of invisibility, he sneaks up on medusa. Thats why i think my name is medusa is a great book. The 10 best greek mythology books norse mythology for. Medusa looses her head, and some people and creatures are turned to stone. Medusa, in greek mythology, the most famous of the monster figures. Best mythology books for kids and teens at some point during their grade school years, lots of kids go through a big mythology phase they cant get enough of stories about gods, goddesses, and other mythological creatures. Members include published authors and illustrators, librarians, agents, editors, publicists, booksellers. For some reasons, this greek mythology books for children tends to be the representative book in this website. National geographic completes the book with embellishments of each story. Adapted from the myths and legends of ancient greece and rome by e.
The curse of medusa from greek mythology tripsavvy. There will come several differences of how you find greek mythology books for children in this website and off library or the book stores. Medusa is best known as the monstrous creature of greek myth. Phorcys is said to have had claws for legs and skin covered with red spikes.
Unfortunately, medusa cared only about her own beauty. I remember reading the story of medusa, or at least one version of it, in my fathers edition of bullfinchs mythology when i was a child. The gorgons lived at the ocean, and medusa caught poseidons attention. Best books about greek mythology for a starter this year i started to be very interested in mythology and know i came here to have some books about greek mythology recommended about everything or maybe the books from the most important stories heracles, perseus and medusa, etc. A visual dictionary with entries and more than 600 fine art images. The book has fairly simple text, if you ignore the names of the characters, but there is a lot of it. Such a violent act resulted in the birth of medusas children, the winged horse. The curse of medusa from greek mythology the curse of medusa from greek mythology medusa is one of the more unusual divine figures of ancient greece mythology.
Medusa was a monstrous being in greek mythology, with a mass of snakes coming out of her head. See more ideas about mythology, greek mythology and mythology books. Oct 03, 2011 after scoring with two previous childrens series about mythology, author rick riordan is now turning to norse lore for his next few books. Medusa medusalith amaquelinboltagon is a fictional character appearing in american comic books published by marvel comics. Aug 20, 20 medusa was one of three sisters born to phorcys and ceto known as the gorgons. He tells the story of how perseus, the brave hero who slayed medusa, really didnt and how he was a big fake. The book is as comprehensive as you could wish for in a book of this sort, and gives accounts of the personalities of the gods and most of the heroes, as well as retellings of most of the major myths themselves.
Try pairing fiction with nonfiction books and exploring different genres like poetry and biographies and formats like graphic. Percy jackson author rick riordan ventures into norse. The book goddess girls medusa the rich by joan holub and suzanne willams is a childrens book about medusa. Medusa was rumoured to have once been a beautiful young woman, but athena became jealous when poseidon turned his attentions to medusa. One requirement to be a priestess for athena is that the young woman must be a virgin and give her life to the goddess. She was the daughter of phorcys, a god of the sea, and ceto, a female sea god. People say that shes not very good, but i believe the opposite. Mar 24, 2020 this retelling of medusas story puts the mythological figure into the hands of r. Medusa, in greek mythology, the most famous of the monster figures known as gorgons. Later authors such as herodotus and pausanias place the gorgons abode in libya. Cancel your dinner plans and dig in to thundercluck. The most famous story with medusa is where she meets the hero son of zeus, perseus.
According to hesiod and aeschylus, she lived and died on an island named sarpedon, somewhere near cisthene. According to hesiod s theogony, the gorgons were the sisters of the graiai and lived in the utmost place towards the night by the hesperides beyond oceanus. He beheaded the gorgon medusa for polydectes and saved andromeda from the sea. Perseus, and medusa will fascinate and engage childrens imaginations. Fisherman hal tarrants life changes drastically when strange mon. A beautiful mortal, medusa was the exception in the family, until she incurred the wrath of athena, either. He was brave in battle, a great speaker, and very quick thinking. He was the son of the titan god cronus and the nymph philyra. They try to kill percy because he kills medusa in the first book. Weve gathered up a great collection of books, activities, apps, and websites for learning all about folktales, fairy tales and myths. My top five mythical creatures childrens books the.
The hunt for medusas head a greek myth graphic myths and legends only left in stock more on the way. Her hair rebellion elicits frozen expressions of shock from her family, but nothing will convince medusa to brush. Medusa was a character that fascinated the ancient greeks, and then later the romans. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1. The pictures are very creative, and i like to be creative.
Her story has been told and retold by ancient and modern storytellers, writers, and artists. Once upon a time, a long time ago there lived a beautiful maiden named medusa. The mini myths board book series puts a modern spin on ancient greek myt. The real story of medusa may not be what you think it is. The miniaturist authors second childrens novel, medusa, will be published in october 2020 as a hardback gift edition by bloomsbury childrens books. Medusa refuses to care for her hair, her long locks getting knottier and dirtier with each passing page. My name is medusa is one of a number of childrens books recently brought out by the girl god, a relatively new organization aiming to educate and inspire children and sometimes also adults about the divine imaged as female. Medusa was a priestess to the goddess athena, the virgin goddess of wisdom and battle. Juniper, age 7 the new book for children, my name is medusa, by glenys livingstone, illustrated by arna baartz can be ordered here.
The book say cheese medusa is about hades, a greek god of the underworld. Jul 22, 2019 edith hamilton s mythology succeeds like no other book in bringing to life for the modern reader the greek, roman and norse myths that are the keystone of western culturethe stories of gods and heroes that have inspired human creativity from antiquity to the present. Monsters of the greek myths tales, medusa, minotaur and chimera greek stories for young children book 1 kindle. With thousands of childrens books, audiobooks, and videos, there is no limit to what children can learn and explore. Long before medusa faced off with perseus, there was poseidon.
This is the first book in a hilarious new series stuffed with norse mythology, blackandwhite illustrations by the dozen, and a superhero chicken ready to ruffle some feathers. She was boastful and proud, even claiming she was more beautiful than athena. In greek mythology, perseus is the legendary founder of mycenae and of the perseid dynasty. The earliest known record about the story of medusa and the gorgons can be found in hesiods theogony. Greek myths for young children stories for young children. As berry unfolds medusas origins and tragic story, she asks critical questions about how a mere mortal among gods and heroes was transformed into a monster whose wrath was feared. Medusa simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Along the way, countless lavish illustrations help to bring the stories and characters to life.
The goddess became angry, and changed medusa into a monster with snakes for hair. Athena turned her into a monster after catching her getting busy with poseidon in athenas sacred temple. Reclaim medusas story and invite the reader into her mind to explore gender politics following the sexual harassment claims faced by us film director harvey weinstein and many other powerful men. Odin, thor, loki, and other viking gods, goddesses, giants, and monsters hardcover. In this young adult urban fantasy series from tera lynn childs, three teen. Although centaurs had the upper body of a man and the lower body of a horse, chiron s front legs were also human, showing that he was different and higher in class than the rest. Berry, and the shift from the narrative of a maledominated culture to a womans is crystal clear. A close look at her role in greek mythology and art reveals a nuanced and. He chopped off medusa s head while she was sleeping. He beheaded the gorgon medusa for polydectes and saved andromeda from. The hideous medusa has snakes for hair, terrifying tusks and a face that turns anyone that looks at it into stone. Until the sixth book, medusa was only described as a creature or monster. The only content we will consider removing is spam, slanderous attacks on other members, or extremely offensive content eg.
This place is an online book that you can find and enjoy many kinds of book catalogues. Only those with an innocent heart, women and children, are set safely apart. Apr 18, 2019 the earliest known record about the story of medusa and the gorgons can be found in hesiods theogony. Greek mythology childrens book collection discover epic. Burton, whose debut the miniaturist pan macmillan was published in 2014, jessie burton will retell the medusa myth in an empowering ya title for bloomsbury exploring themes of toxic masculinity and the meaning of consent. The gorgon in the gully goes neatly to the core of the medusa allegory. An empowering ya title for bloomsbury exploring themes of toxic masculinity and the meaning of consent. Mother and child washed ashore on the island of seriphos, where they were. Medusa was a gorgon one of three sisters with venomous snakes for hair and the ability to turn people to stone. Ages 912 author interviews best kids stories fantasy. He tells the real story of the greek stories unlike the big fake, zeus. Medusa and poseidon the punishment of athena see u in history ep.
A new translation of an important text for greek mythology used as a source book by classicists from antiquity to robert graves, the library of greek mythology is a complete summary of early greek myth, telling the story of each of the great families of heroic mythology, and the various adventures associated with the main heroes and heroines, from jason and perseus to heracles and helen of troy. Medusa is ruled by duty, to her titan father and the goddess athena. According to this ancient author, the three sisters, sthenno, euryale, and medusa, were the children of phorcys and ceto and lived beyond famed oceanus at the worlds edge hard by night. Medusa is one of the most terrifying monsters in greek mythology, but she wasnt always that way. The timeless myth of medusa, a rape victim turned into a monster. Perseus and medusa photo by nightowl on pixabay, perseus and medusa.
To please his king, warrior perseus agrees to slay the beast. Childrens books about hair, hair cuts, hair salons, etc. One of the gorgons heads is full of green snakes and the other is full. Medusa was a monster in greek mythology, known as a gorgon. Mythology timeless tales of gods and heroes by edith. Greek mythology the story of medusa and athena dltkkids. In greek mythology, medusa also called gorgo, was one of the three monstrous gorgons. Perseus and medusa ancient greek mythology stories. United with childrens literature, these stories possess the power to ignite the imagination, explain the mysteries of the world, and inspire the art of storytelling in all of us. The new york times called him one of the most widely published authors of classical mythology in the world. Good introduction to ancient literature for young folk. The goddess was outraged, and changed medusa into a monster with snakes for hair.
Medusa discovers that having the golden king midas touch has its ups and downs in the sixteenth goddess girls adventure. What is a summary of the story of medusa and the greek. One day, poseidon, the god of the sea and rival to athena, saw medusa and decided to humiliate athena by raping the priestess on the steps. Facts about the ancient greek gorgon primary facts. The three gorgon sistersmedusa, stheno, and euryalewere all children of the ancient marine deities phorcys.
He says that zeus made medusa sound bad when she really wasnt. What are the best books on greek myths for young children. She was taken to the land of stories from her myth by the literary army, via portal potion. Medusa in ancient greek art essay the metropolitan museum of. She had the face of a hideous woman, but had poisonous snakes on her head, instead of hair.
We follow the drama of the trojan war and the wanderings of odysseus. Mythology perseus and medusa is a capstone press publication. Interestingly, greek mythology tells us that medusa was killed by a demigod named perseus, who was zeuss son. He was born in new rochelle, new york, and attended rutgers university. The barefoot book of greek gods and goddesses mentions eris and the role she plays in mythology. Australian writers are embracing monsters from classical mythology, which. Chiron was the most important centaur in greek mythology, famous for his teaching ability. Transformed into a vicious monster with snakes for hair, she was. Medusa made the gods and goddesses nervous because she could turn to stone anyone she looked at with her stare. Medusa dollmaker is an independent artist creating amazing designs for great products such as tshirts, stickers, posters, and phone cases. I glanced over the story again when studying ovids metamorphoses in classics at school.
Only her hairdresser approaches medusa with bravery and a blade, successfully solving the problem. The latin poet ovid writes in book iv of his metamorphoses that poseidon attacked medusa in the temple of athena. In her book literature and fascination, sibylle baumbach argues that. Medusa was one of the three gorgons, daughters of phorcys and ceto, sisters of the graeae, echidna, and ladon all dreadful and fearsome beasts. Tales of gods, titans, and giants fill childrens fairy tales, while a variety. When medusa suddenly becomes able to turn objects into gold just by touching them, she is thrilled. Perseus, one of the most famous of the legendary heroes of ancient times, was the son of zeus and danae, daughter of acrisius, king of argos.
In the british writer iris murdochs novel a severed head 1961, the. Juniper, age 7 my name is medusa covers so much territory, and yet the affirmations of loving change, the expanse of the cosmos, darkness, deep earth, and the embracing and claiming of wisdomour own as well as that of others, serpents, stars and earthflow into awareness. Perseus, a slayer of monsters, beheaded medusa with a mirror given to him by the greek gods so that he would not have to look at her. She was used, against her will, to turn the literary armys enemies to stone. Unlocking its secrets, claiming its power by mary valentis and anne devane notes that. Unfortunately, medusa was very proud of her beauty and thought or spoke of little else. The site is updated daily with information about every book, author, illustrator, and publisher in the childrens young adult book industry. The greek myth about medusa and athena for preschool, kindergarten and elementary school kids print, listen to and read. The latin poet ovid writes in book iv of his metamorphoses that poseidon had raped medusa in the temple of athena. Medusa and her two sisters euryale and stheno, were the children of phorcys and his sister ceto. These stories address the roots and themes of medusas story in widely different. Medusa jessies medusa is gripping, lyrical and empowering. We will not remove any content for bad language alone, or for being critical of a book. Bernard evslin 19221993 was a bestselling and awardwinning author known for his works on greek and other cultural mythologies.